DeepSeek R1 vs DeepSeek V3
DeepSeek R1 (2025) and DeepSeek V3 (2024) are frontier reasoning models from DeepSeek. DeepSeek R1 ships a 128k-token context window, while DeepSeek V3 ships a 64k-token context window. On HumanEval, DeepSeek R1 leads by 4.4 pts. On pricing, both list $0.10/1M input and $0.30/1M output tokens on the cheapest tracked route. This comparison covers specs, pricing, API access, capabilities, benchmarks, input and output token costs, and production fit for coding and agent workloads.
Pick DeepSeek R1 for coding; token pricing is tied, so keep DeepSeek V3 only for already-validated prompts or route constraints.
Decision scorecard
Local evidence first| Signal | DeepSeek R1 | DeepSeek V3 |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | reasoning-heavy apps and provider-routed production | tool-calling agents and provider-routed production |
| Decision fit | Coding, RAG, and Agents | Coding, Agents, and Classification |
| Context window | 128k | 64k |
| Cheapest output | $0.30/1M tokens | $0.30/1M tokens |
| Provider routes | 14 tracked | 13 tracked |
| Shared benchmarks | HumanEval leader | 3 shared |
Decision tradeoffs
- DeepSeek R1 holds a shared-benchmark lead on HumanEval, ahead by 4.4 points.
- DeepSeek R1 has the larger context window for long prompts, retrieval packs, or transcript analysis.
- DeepSeek R1 has broader tracked provider coverage for fallback and procurement flexibility.
- DeepSeek R1 uniquely exposes Reasoning and Code execution in local model data.
- Local decision data tags DeepSeek R1 for Coding, RAG, and Agents.
- DeepSeek V3 uniquely exposes Function calling and Tool use in local model data.
- Local decision data tags DeepSeek V3 for Coding, Agents, and Classification.
Monthly cost at traffic
Estimate token spend from the cheapest tracked input and output route or tier on this page.
DeepSeek R1
$155
Cheapest tracked route/tier: Bitdeer AI
DeepSeek V3
$155
Cheapest tracked route/tier: Bitdeer AI
Estimated monthly gap: $0.00. Batch, cache, alternate speed tiers, and negotiated pricing are excluded from this local estimate.
Switch friction
- Provider overlap exists on DeepInfra, Fireworks AI, and DeepSeek Platform; start route-level A/B tests there.
- Cheapest tracked output pricing is tied, so migration risk shifts to quality, latency, and provider packaging.
- Check replacement coverage for Reasoning and Code execution before moving production traffic.
- DeepSeek V3 adds Function calling and Tool use in local capability data.
- Provider overlap exists on DeepSeek Platform, OpenRouter, and Together AI; start route-level A/B tests there.
- Cheapest tracked output pricing is tied, so migration risk shifts to quality, latency, and provider packaging.
- Check replacement coverage for Function calling and Tool use before moving production traffic.
- DeepSeek R1 adds Reasoning and Code execution in local capability data.
Specs
Pricing and availability
| Pricing attribute | DeepSeek R1 | DeepSeek V3 |
|---|---|---|
| Input price | $0.10/1M tokens | $0.10/1M tokens |
| Output price | $0.30/1M tokens | $0.30/1M tokens |
| Providers |
Capabilities
| Capability | DeepSeek R1 | DeepSeek V3 |
|---|---|---|
| Vision | No | No |
| Multimodal | No | No |
| Reasoning | Yes | No |
| Function calling | No | Yes |
| Tool use | No | Yes |
| Structured outputs | Yes | Yes |
| Code execution | Yes | No |
| IDE integration | No | No |
| Computer use | No | No |
| Parallel agents | No | No |
Benchmarks
| Benchmark | DeepSeek R1 | DeepSeek V3 |
|---|---|---|
| HumanEval | 89.9 | 85.5 |
| Chatbot Arena | 1372.0 | 1302.0 |
| Aider Polyglot | 56.9 | 48.4 |
Deep dive
On shared benchmark coverage, HumanEval has DeepSeek R1 at 89.9 and DeepSeek V3 at 85.5, with DeepSeek R1 ahead by 4.4 points; Chatbot Arena has DeepSeek R1 at 1372 and DeepSeek V3 at 1302, with DeepSeek R1 ahead by 70 points; Aider Polyglot has DeepSeek R1 at 56.9 and DeepSeek V3 at 48.4, with DeepSeek R1 ahead by 8.5 points. The largest visible gap is 70 points on Chatbot Arena, which matters most when that benchmark mirrors your workload. Treat isolated benchmark wins as directional, because provider routing, prompt style, and tool access can move real application results.
The capability footprint differs most on reasoning mode: DeepSeek R1, function calling: DeepSeek V3, tool use: DeepSeek V3, and code execution: DeepSeek R1. Both models share structured outputs, 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 lists $0.10/1M input and $0.30/1M output tokens on the cheapest tracked provider, while DeepSeek V3 lists $0.10/1M input and $0.30/1M output tokens on the cheapest tracked provider. A 70/30 input-output blend is tied on the cheapest tracked routes. Availability is 14 providers versus 13, so concentration risk also matters.
Choose DeepSeek R1 when coding workflow support, larger context windows, and broader provider choice are central to the workload. Choose DeepSeek V3 when provider fit are more important. For production, rerun your own prompts through the exact provider, region, and tool stack you plan to ship.
FAQ
Which has a larger context window, DeepSeek R1 or DeepSeek V3?
DeepSeek R1 supports 128k tokens, while DeepSeek V3 supports 64k 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 or DeepSeek V3?
Neither is cheaper on tracked token pricing. Both list $0.10/1M input and $0.30/1M output tokens on the cheapest tracked route. Provider discounts, batch pricing, or route-specific tiers can still change the final bill.
Is DeepSeek R1 or DeepSeek V3 open source?
DeepSeek R1 is listed under MIT. DeepSeek V3 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 or DeepSeek V3?
DeepSeek R1 has the clearer documented reasoning mode signal in this comparison. If reasoning mode is mission-critical, validate it against the provider endpoint because model-level support and API-level exposure can differ.
Which is better for function calling, DeepSeek R1 or DeepSeek V3?
DeepSeek V3 has the clearer documented function calling signal in this comparison. If function calling 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 and DeepSeek V3?
DeepSeek R1 is available on DeepSeek Platform, OpenRouter, Together AI, Fireworks AI, and NVIDIA NIM. DeepSeek V3 is available on DeepInfra, Fireworks AI, DeepSeek Platform, Microsoft Foundry, and OpenRouter. Provider coverage can affect latency, region availability, compliance posture, and fallback options.
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Last reviewed: 2026-06-15. Data sourced from public model cards and provider documentation.