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 route 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 JSON / 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 JSON / 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 JSON / Tool use before moving production traffic.
- DeepSeek R1 adds Reasoning and Code execution in local capability data.
Specs
| Specification | ||
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2025-01-20 | 2024-12-26 |
| Context window | 128k | 64k |
| Parameters | 671B, 37B Active | 671B |
| Architecture | Decoder Only | Mixture of Experts |
| License | MITOSI-approved | MITOSI-approved |
| Openness | Open source | Open source |
| Weights | Available | Available |
| Code | Unknown | Unknown |
| Commercial use | Commercial use: permitted | Commercial use: permitted |
| Knowledge cutoff | 2023-12 | 2024-04 |
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 |
| JSON / 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 |
Continue comparing
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Last reviewed: 2026-06-29. Data sourced from public model cards and provider documentation.