# Claude vs DeepSeek

> Claude: Anthropic's AI assistant for writing, analysis, coding and working with files
> DeepSeek: Free AI chat app and low-cost API running DeepSeek's open-weights V4 models

- Claude profile: https://finderatlas.com/tools/claude
- DeepSeek profile: https://finderatlas.com/tools/deepseek
- Comparison page: https://finderatlas.com/compare/claude-vs-deepseek
- Last reviewed: November 2026

## Verdict

Claude and DeepSeek are both AI Assistants tools. Claude scores higher in FinderAtlas's editorial review (9.1 vs 8.8 out of 10), led by coding & syntax and reasoning & logic. Both have a free plan or trial. Only Claude is available on Linux and Chrome Extension.

### Choose Claude if

- You want a tool built for coding and code review.
- Free plan includes web search, file creation, code execution and memory.
- Artifacts show generated code and pages beside the chat.

### Choose DeepSeek if

- You want a tool built for Low-cost API integration.
- Web chat and mobile apps are free.
- API output costs from $0.60 per 1M tokens (Flash, off-peak), well below most frontier providers.

## Pricing

| | Claude | DeepSeek |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Free plan or trial | Yes | Yes |
| Starting price | $0 | $0 |

## Features

| Feature | Claude | DeepSeek |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Artifacts | Yes | Not listed |
| Projects | Yes | Not listed |
| Claude Code | Yes | Not listed |
| File creation and code execution | Yes | Not listed |
| Web search and Research | Yes | Not listed |
| Memory | Yes | Not listed |
| Connectors | Yes | Not listed |
| Vision and document reading | Yes | Not listed |
| Claude in Chrome | Yes | Not listed |
| V4 model family | Not listed | Yes |
| Thinking mode | Not listed | Yes |
| Open weights | Not listed | Yes |
| OpenAI and Anthropic compatible API | Not listed | Yes |
| Tool calls and JSON output | Not listed | Yes |
| Search and Fetch APIs | Not listed | Yes |
| Agent tool integrations | Not listed | Yes |
| DeepSeek Harness | Not listed | Yes |
| Vision on Flash | Not listed | Yes |

## Platforms

| Platform | Claude | DeepSeek |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Browser Extension | No | No |
| Linux | Yes | No |
| Chrome Extension | Yes | No |

## Claude strengths

- Free plan includes web search, file creation, code execution and memory
- Artifacts show generated code and pages beside the chat
- Claude Code is included with Pro, Max, Ultra and Team
- Connectors use MCP to reach Slack, Google Workspace and other tools
- Available on web, desktop, iOS and as a Chrome extension, plus an API and major cloud platforms

## Claude limitations

- Usage limits on every plan, with weekly caps (and five-hour caps below Ultra) and no published message counts
- Does not generate images
- The higher individual tiers are costly: Max is $100 per month and Ultra is $200 per month
- Linux desktop app is still in beta

## DeepSeek strengths

- Web chat and mobile apps are free
- API output costs from $0.60 per 1M tokens (Flash, off-peak), well below most frontier providers
- Open weights for V4 and earlier models on Hugging Face
- 1M-token context and 384K max output on both API models
- API works with both OpenAI and Anthropic SDKs and several coding agents

## DeepSeek limitations

- Peak-hour API rates are double the off-peak rates on weekday mornings UTC
- deepseek-v4-pro does not support vision input
- No image generation
- Data is processed by a company based in China, which some organizations cannot accept

## FAQ

**Is Claude better than DeepSeek?**

It depends on your workflow. Claude is built for coding and code review. DeepSeek is built for Low-cost API integration.

**What are the key feature differences between Claude and DeepSeek?**

Claude: Anthropic's AI assistant for writing, analysis, coding and working with files. DeepSeek: Free AI chat app and low-cost API running DeepSeek's open-weights V4 models. Claude is rated 4.5/5 from 2 user reviews.

**Does Claude or DeepSeek have a free plan?**

Yes, both do. Claude is freemium and DeepSeek is freemium, and each has a free plan or trial.

**Which is cheaper, Claude or DeepSeek?**

Both can be used for free. Paid plans differ in limits and features, so compare the tiers in the pricing table above.