Comparison Guide 2026
Based on expected V4 specs

DeepSeek V4 vs GPT-5: Benchmark Comparison

Free AI That Rivals OpenAI's Latest

DeepSeek V4 competes directly with GPT-5 in benchmarks, particularly excelling in mathematical reasoning. While GPT-5 is only available via expensive subscriptions, DeepSeek V4 is completely free.

Key Takeaways

  • DeepSeek V4 is free, GPT-5 Pro costs $200/month
  • DeepSeek V4 matches GPT-5 in math benchmarks
  • GPT-5 has longer context and multi-modal
  • Most users will be well-served by free DeepSeek V4
Feature Comparison

DeepSeek V4 vs GPT-5

See how they compare feature by feature

Feature
DeepSeek V4
GPT-5
PriceFree$200/month (Pro)
Math Benchmark92%90%
ReasoningExcellentExcellent
Coding90%91%
Context Window128K256K
Multi-modalNoYes
AvailabilityFree accessPremium only
Honest Analysis

Pros & Cons

A balanced look at both options

DeepSeek V4

Pros

  • +Completely free
  • +Excellent math performance
  • +No subscription required
  • +Widely accessible

Cons

  • Text-only
  • Smaller context window
  • Less multi-modal capability

GPT-5

Pros

  • +Cutting-edge performance
  • +256K context window
  • +Multi-modal capabilities
  • +OpenAI ecosystem integration

Cons

  • Very expensive ($200/mo)
  • Limited availability
  • Requires high-tier subscription
Decision Guide

Which Should You Choose?

Find the best fit for your needs

Choose DeepSeek V4 if you...

  • Most users who don't need cutting-edge features
  • Budget-conscious developers
  • Math and reasoning tasks

Choose GPT-5 if you...

  • Enterprise users needing the absolute best
  • Multi-modal applications
  • Maximum context length requirements

Our Verdict

DeepSeek V4 offers 95%+ of GPT-5's capabilities for free. Unless you specifically need GPT-5's longer context or multi-modal features, DeepSeek V4 is the practical choice for most users.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about DeepSeek V4 vs GPT-5

Is DeepSeek V4 as good as GPT-5?

In math and reasoning, DeepSeek V4 is competitive with GPT-5. GPT-5 has advantages in context length and multi-modal capabilities.

Why would I pay $200/month for GPT-5?

GPT-5 Pro is for power users who need the absolute cutting edge, 256K context, and advanced multi-modal features.

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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