DeepSeek R1 0528 vs DeepSeek R1 Basic
DeepSeek R1 0528 (2025) and DeepSeek R1 Basic (2025) are frontier-tier reasoning models from DeepSeek. DeepSeek R1 0528 ships a 130k-token context window, while DeepSeek R1 Basic ships a 160k-token context window. On pricing, DeepSeek R1 0528 costs $0.50/1M input tokens versus $0.56/1M for the alternative. This comparison covers specs, pricing, API access, capabilities, benchmarks, input and output token costs, and production fit for coding and agent workloads.
DeepSeek R1 0528 is safer overall; choose DeepSeek R1 Basic when long-context analysis matters.
Decision scorecard
Local evidence first| Signal | DeepSeek R1 0528 | DeepSeek R1 Basic |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | reasoning-heavy apps and provider-routed production | reasoning-heavy apps |
| Decision fit | Coding, RAG, and Agents | Long context |
| Context window | 130k | 160k |
| Cheapest output | $2.15/1M tokens | $1.68/1M tokens |
| Provider routes | 6 tracked | 1 tracked |
| Shared benchmarks | 0 rows | 0 rows |
Decision tradeoffs
- DeepSeek R1 0528 has broader tracked provider coverage for fallback and procurement flexibility.
- DeepSeek R1 0528 uniquely exposes Structured outputs and Code execution in local model data.
- Local decision data tags DeepSeek R1 0528 for Coding, RAG, and Agents.
- DeepSeek R1 Basic has the larger context window for long prompts, retrieval packs, or transcript analysis.
- DeepSeek R1 Basic has the lower cheapest tracked output price at $1.68/1M tokens.
- Local decision data tags DeepSeek R1 Basic for Long context.
Monthly cost at traffic
Estimate token spend from the cheapest tracked input and output route or tier on this page.
DeepSeek R1 0528
$938
Cheapest tracked route/tier: OpenRouter
DeepSeek R1 Basic
$868
Cheapest tracked route/tier: Fireworks AI
Estimated monthly gap: $69.50. Batch, cache, alternate speed tiers, and negotiated pricing are excluded from this local estimate.
Switch friction
- Provider overlap exists on Fireworks AI; start route-level A/B tests there.
- DeepSeek R1 Basic is $0.47/1M tokens lower on cheapest tracked output pricing before cache, batch, or negotiated discounts.
- Check replacement coverage for Structured outputs and Code execution before moving production traffic.
- Provider overlap exists on Fireworks AI; start route-level A/B tests there.
- DeepSeek R1 0528 is $0.47/1M tokens higher on cheapest tracked output pricing, so quality gains need to justify the spend.
- DeepSeek R1 0528 adds Structured outputs and Code execution in local capability data.
Specs
Pricing and availability
| Pricing attribute | DeepSeek R1 0528 | DeepSeek R1 Basic |
|---|---|---|
| Input price | $0.50/1M tokens | $0.56/1M tokens |
| Output price | $2.15/1M tokens | $1.68/1M tokens |
| Providers |
Capabilities
| Capability | DeepSeek R1 0528 | DeepSeek R1 Basic |
|---|---|---|
| Vision | No | No |
| Multimodal | No | No |
| Reasoning | Yes | Yes |
| Function calling | No | No |
| Tool use | No | No |
| Structured outputs | Yes | No |
| Code execution | Yes | No |
| IDE integration | No | No |
| Computer use | No | No |
| Parallel agents | No | No |
Benchmarks
No shared benchmark rows are currently sourced for this pair.
Deep dive
The capability footprint differs most on structured outputs: DeepSeek R1 0528 and code execution: DeepSeek R1 0528. Both models share reasoning mode, so the practical split is not just feature count. Use those differences to decide whether the page is about raw model quality, agentic coding support, multimodal ingestion, or predictable structured API behavior.
For cost, DeepSeek R1 0528 lists $0.50/1M input and $2.15/1M output tokens on the cheapest tracked provider, while DeepSeek R1 Basic lists $0.56/1M input and $1.68/1M output tokens on the cheapest tracked provider. A 70/30 input-output blend puts DeepSeek R1 Basic lower by about $0.10 per million blended tokens. Availability is 6 providers versus 1, so concentration risk also matters.
Choose DeepSeek R1 0528 when coding workflow support, lower input-token cost, and broader provider choice are central to the workload. Choose DeepSeek R1 Basic when long-context analysis and larger context windows are more important. For production, rerun your own prompts through the exact provider, region, and tool stack you plan to ship. This keeps the decision grounded in measurable tradeoffs instead of brand-level assumptions. It also helps separate model capability from provider packaging, which can change cost and latency.
FAQ
Which has a larger context window, DeepSeek R1 0528 or DeepSeek R1 Basic?
DeepSeek R1 Basic supports 160k tokens, while DeepSeek R1 0528 supports 130k tokens. That gap matters most for long documents, large codebases, retrieval-heavy agents, and conversations where earlier context must remain visible.
Which is cheaper, DeepSeek R1 0528 or DeepSeek R1 Basic?
DeepSeek R1 Basic is cheaper on tracked token pricing. DeepSeek R1 0528 costs $0.50/1M input and $2.15/1M output tokens. DeepSeek R1 Basic costs $0.56/1M input and $1.68/1M output tokens. Provider discounts or batch pricing can still change the final bill.
Is DeepSeek R1 0528 or DeepSeek R1 Basic open source?
DeepSeek R1 0528 is listed under MIT. DeepSeek R1 Basic is listed under MIT. License labels affect whether you can self-host, redistribute weights, or rely only on hosted APIs, so confirm the upstream license before deployment.
Which is better for reasoning mode, DeepSeek R1 0528 or DeepSeek R1 Basic?
Both DeepSeek R1 0528 and DeepSeek R1 Basic expose reasoning mode. The better choice depends on benchmark fit, context budget, pricing, and whether your provider route exposes the same capability surface.
Which is better for structured outputs, DeepSeek R1 0528 or DeepSeek R1 Basic?
DeepSeek R1 0528 has the clearer documented structured outputs signal in this comparison. If structured outputs is mission-critical, validate it against the provider endpoint because model-level support and API-level exposure can differ.
Where can I run DeepSeek R1 0528 and DeepSeek R1 Basic?
DeepSeek R1 0528 is available on Together AI, Fireworks AI, GCP Vertex AI, Novita AI, and OpenRouter. DeepSeek R1 Basic is available on Fireworks AI. Provider coverage can affect latency, region availability, compliance posture, and fallback options.
Continue comparing
Last reviewed: 2026-05-22. Data sourced from public model cards and provider documentation.