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DeepSeek V4 vs ChatGPT: Which AI Should You Use?

Comprehensive comparison of DeepSeek V4 and ChatGPT. Features, pricing, performance, and recommendations.

By NoteLM TeamPublished 2026-01-10
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Key Takeaways

  • DeepSeek V4 beats ChatGPT in math (92% vs 88%)
  • DeepSeek V4 beats ChatGPT in coding (90% vs 87%)
  • DeepSeek V4 is free, ChatGPT Plus is $20/month
  • ChatGPT Plus better for images only
  • Save $240/year by switching

DeepSeek V4 vs ChatGPT: Which AI Should You Use?

The Bottom Line

For text-based tasks like coding and math, DeepSeek V4 performs better and is free. For image generation and multi-modal tasks, ChatGPT Plus is better but costs $20/month.

Quick Comparison

FeatureDeepSeek V4ChatGPT Plus
PriceFree$20/month
Math92%88%
Coding90%87%
ImagesNoYes (DALL-E 3)
VisionNoYes
API Free TierYesNo

DeepSeek V4 Wins At

1. Math Problems (92% vs 88%)

DeepSeek V4 outperforms ChatGPT on mathematical reasoning by 4 percentage points.

2. Coding Tasks (90% vs 87%)

Better code generation, especially for complex functions.

3. Price ($0 vs $20/month)

Save $240/year with identical or better text performance.

4. API Access

Free tier vs pay-per-use.

ChatGPT Plus Wins At

1. Image Generation

DALL-E 3 integration for creating images.

2. Vision/Image Understanding

Upload and analyze images.

3. Custom GPTs

Create and use specialized assistants.

4. Plugin Ecosystem

Access to third-party integrations.

When to Use DeepSeek V4

✅ Coding and programming help

✅ Math problem solving

✅ Writing and content creation

✅ Research and analysis

✅ Learning and education

✅ Budget-conscious users

When to Use ChatGPT Plus

✅ You need image generation

✅ You need to analyze images

✅ You use custom GPTs regularly

✅ You need specific plugins

✅ Enterprise/compliance requirements

My Recommendation

Start with DeepSeek V4. It's free and handles 95% of use cases. Only add ChatGPT Plus if you specifically need:

  • Image generation (DALL-E 3)
  • Image understanding
  • Custom GPTs

How to Switch

If you're currently paying for ChatGPT Plus:

  1. 1.Try DeepSeek V4 at NoteLM.ai
  2. 2.Test your common use cases
  3. 3.If satisfied, cancel ChatGPT Plus
  4. 4.Save $240/year

Conclusion

For most users, DeepSeek V4 is the smarter choice - better performance at zero cost. The only reason to pay for ChatGPT Plus is for image features.

Try DeepSeek V4 free → Start Now

Written By

NoteLM Team

The NoteLM team specializes in AI-powered video summarization and learning tools. We are passionate about making video content more accessible and efficient for learners worldwide.

AI/ML DevelopmentVideo ProcessingEducational Technology
Last verified: January 10, 2026

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