DeepSeek V3.1 vs GPT-5.2 Codex
DeepSeek V3.1 (2025) and GPT-5.2 Codex (2025) compare a standalone API model against a coding-specialized model. DeepSeek V3.1 ships a 64k-token context window, while GPT-5.2 Codex ships a 400k-token context window. On SWE-bench Verified, GPT-5.2 Codex leads by 6.8 pts. On pricing, DeepSeek V3.1 costs $0.27/1M input tokens versus $1.75/1M for the alternative. This page treats the result as workflow and deployment fit, not a universal model winner.
Treat this as a product-type comparison: DeepSeek V3.1 is standalone API model, while GPT-5.2 Codex is coding-specialized model. Choose based on workflow fit before reading any benchmark or price row as decisive.
Decision scorecard
Local evidence first| Signal | DeepSeek V3.1 | GPT-5.2 Codex |
|---|---|---|
| Product type | Standalone API model | Coding-specialized model |
| Best for | multimodal apps and provider-routed production | custom coding agents, code generation, and tool loops |
| Decision fit | Coding, Agents, and Vision | Coding, RAG, and Agents |
| Context window | 64k | 400k |
| Cheapest output | $1/1M tokens | $14/1M tokens |
| Provider routes | 8 tracked | 2 tracked |
| Shared benchmarks | 1 shared | SWE-bench Verified leader |
Decision tradeoffs
- DeepSeek V3.1 has the lower cheapest tracked output price at $1/1M tokens.
- DeepSeek V3.1 has broader tracked provider coverage for fallback and route flexibility.
- Local decision data tags DeepSeek V3.1 for Coding, Agents, and Vision.
- GPT-5.2 Codex holds a shared-benchmark lead on SWE-bench Verified, ahead by 6.8 points.
- GPT-5.2 Codex has the larger context window for long prompts, retrieval packs, or transcript analysis.
- GPT-5.2 Codex uniquely exposes Reasoning and JSON / Tool use in local model data.
- Local decision data tags GPT-5.2 Codex for Coding, RAG, and Agents.
Monthly cost at traffic
Estimate token spend from the cheapest tracked input and output route or tier on this page.
DeepSeek V3.1
$466
Cheapest tracked route/tier: Novita AI
GPT-5.2 Codex
$4,900
Cheapest tracked route/tier: Vercel AI Gateway
Estimated monthly gap: $4,434. Batch, cache, alternate speed tiers, and negotiated pricing are excluded from this local estimate.
Switch friction
- Provider overlap exists on Vercel AI Gateway; start route-level A/B tests there.
- GPT-5.2 Codex is $13/1M tokens higher on cheapest tracked output pricing, so quality gains need to justify the spend.
- GPT-5.2 Codex adds Reasoning and JSON / Tool use in local capability data.
- Provider overlap exists on Vercel AI Gateway; start route-level A/B tests there.
- DeepSeek V3.1 is $13/1M tokens lower on cheapest tracked output pricing before cache, batch, or negotiated discounts.
- Check replacement coverage for Reasoning and JSON / Tool use before moving production traffic.
Specs
| Specification | ||
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2025-08-21 | 2025-12-18 |
| Context window | 64k | 400k |
| Parameters | 671B total, 37B active (MoE) | — |
| Architecture | Mixture of Experts | Decoder Only |
| License | MITOSI-approved | Proprietary |
| Openness | Open source | Proprietary |
| Weights | Unknown | Not released |
| Code | Unknown | Unknown |
| Commercial use | Commercial use: permitted | Commercial use: conditional |
| Knowledge cutoff | - | 2025-08 |
Pricing and availability
| Pricing attribute | DeepSeek V3.1 | GPT-5.2 Codex |
|---|---|---|
| Input price | $0.27/1M tokens | $1.75/1M tokens |
| Output price | $1/1M tokens | $14/1M tokens |
| Providers |
Capabilities
| Capability | DeepSeek V3.1 | GPT-5.2 Codex |
|---|---|---|
| Vision | Yes | Yes |
| Multimodal | Yes | Yes |
| Reasoning | No | Yes |
| JSON / Tool use | No | Yes |
| Structured outputs | Yes | Yes |
| Code execution | Yes | Yes |
| IDE integration | No | No |
| Computer use | No | No |
| Parallel agents | No | No |
Benchmarks
| Benchmark | DeepSeek V3.1 | GPT-5.2 Codex |
|---|---|---|
| SWE-bench Verified | 66.0 | 72.8 |
Continue comparing
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Last reviewed: 2026-06-30. Data sourced from public model cards and provider documentation.