# DeepSeek vs Grok

> DeepSeek: Free AI chat app and low-cost API running DeepSeek's open-weights V4 models
> Grok: xAI's AI assistant with live X and web search, image and voice tools

- DeepSeek profile: https://finderatlas.com/tools/deepseek
- Grok profile: https://finderatlas.com/tools/grok
- Comparison page: https://finderatlas.com/compare/deepseek-vs-grok
- Last reviewed: October 2026

## Verdict

DeepSeek and Grok are both AI Assistants tools. DeepSeek scores higher in FinderAtlas's editorial review (8.8 vs 8.3 out of 10), led by coding & syntax. Both have a free plan or trial. Only DeepSeek is available on Windows and macOS.

### 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.

### Choose Grok if

- You want a tool built for questions that need current information from X and the web.
- Searches both X posts and the web for current information.
- Free tier available without a subscription.

## Pricing

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

## Features

| Feature | DeepSeek | Grok |
| --- | --- | --- |
| V4 model family | Yes | Not listed |
| Thinking mode | Yes | Not listed |
| Open weights | Yes | Not listed |
| OpenAI and Anthropic compatible API | Yes | Not listed |
| Tool calls and JSON output | Yes | Not listed |
| Search and Fetch APIs | Yes | Not listed |
| Agent tool integrations | Yes | Not listed |
| DeepSeek Harness | Yes | Not listed |
| Vision on Flash | Yes | Not listed |
| Live Search | Not listed | Yes |
| Chat and Reasoning | Not listed | Yes |
| File and Image Analysis | Not listed | Yes |
| Grok Imagine | Not listed | Yes |
| Voice Mode | Not listed | Yes |
| Conversation Import | Not listed | Yes |
| Shared Subscription | Not listed | Yes |
| xAI API | Not listed | Yes |

## Platforms

| Platform | DeepSeek | Grok |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | No |
| macOS | Yes | No |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Browser Extension | No | No |

## 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

## Grok strengths

- Searches both X posts and the web for current information
- Free tier available without a subscription
- Image and video generation in the same app as chat
- Separate API with long context windows (up to 1M tokens on some models)
- Real-time voice mode in the mobile apps

## Grok limitations

- Free usage is capped, and xAI does not publish the exact limit
- Usage limits are given only as multiples of the Plus plan, not as fixed numbers
- Answers drawing on X posts can reflect unverified social content
- The App Store rates the app 16+ because of mature themes

## FAQ

**Is DeepSeek better than Grok?**

It depends on your workflow. DeepSeek is built for Low-cost API integration. Grok is built for questions that need current information from X and the web.

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

DeepSeek: Free AI chat app and low-cost API running DeepSeek's open-weights V4 models. Grok: xAI's AI assistant with live X and web search, image and voice tools. Grok is rated 4.0/5 from 1 user review.

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

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

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

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