# DeepSeek vs Kilo Code

> DeepSeek: Free AI chat app and low-cost API running DeepSeek's open-weights V4 models
> Kilo Code: Open-source AI coding agent for VS Code, JetBrains and CLI with 500+ models

- DeepSeek profile: https://finderatlas.com/tools/deepseek
- Kilo Code profile: https://finderatlas.com/tools/kilo-code
- Comparison page: https://finderatlas.com/compare/deepseek-vs-kilo-code
- Last reviewed: October 2026

## Verdict

DeepSeek is listed under AI Assistants and Kilo Code under Coding AI. DeepSeek scores higher in FinderAtlas's editorial review (8.8 vs 8.0 out of 10), led by ease of use. Both have a free plan or trial. Only DeepSeek offers an API. Only Kilo Code is available on Linux, VS Code Extension and JetBrains Plugin.

### 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 Kilo Code if

- You want a tool built for developers who want to choose their own models and providers, pay provider rates without markup, and keep an auditable open-source agent inside their existing IDE.
- MIT-licensed and open source, with a public GitHub repository of more than 27,000 stars.
- Access to 500+ models across 60+ providers with no stated inference markup.

## Pricing

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

## Features

| Feature | DeepSeek | Kilo Code |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 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 |
| Multi-Environment Agent | Not listed | Yes |
| 500+ Models | Not listed | Yes |
| Auto Model | Not listed | Yes |
| Specialised Modes | Not listed | Yes |
| MCP Support | Not listed | Yes |
| Cloud Agents and Code Review | Not listed | Yes |
| Parallel Agent Management | Not listed | Yes |
| Mobile Companion App | Not listed | Yes |
| Open Source and Transparent | Not listed | Yes |

## Platforms

| Platform | DeepSeek | Kilo Code |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | No |
| Browser Extension | No | No |
| Linux | No | Yes |
| VS Code Extension | No | Yes |
| JetBrains Plugin | No | Yes |
| CLI | No | Yes |
| Slack App | No | Yes |

## 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

## Kilo Code strengths

- MIT-licensed and open source, with a public GitHub repository of more than 27,000 stars.
- Access to 500+ models across 60+ providers with no stated inference markup.
- Works in VS Code, JetBrains and the terminal, plus cloud agents, Slack and mobile.
- Supports bring-your-own-key and local models, which avoids lock-in to one provider.
- Teams plan is $15 per user per month with shared agents and analytics.

## Kilo Code limitations

- Costs are usage-based, so spend is less predictable than a flat subscription.
- A 5% processing fee applies to credit purchases.
- Trustpilot reviewers report billing and refund disputes, including an unexpected renewal charge and a declined refund on purchased credits.
- The desktop app is in beta, and some reviewers cite bugs and rate-limit issues.

## FAQ

**Is DeepSeek better than Kilo Code?**

It depends on your workflow. DeepSeek is built for Low-cost API integration. Kilo Code is built for developers who want to choose their own models and providers, pay provider rates without markup, and keep an auditable open-source agent inside their existing IDE.

**What are the key feature differences between DeepSeek and Kilo Code?**

DeepSeek: Free AI chat app and low-cost API running DeepSeek's open-weights V4 models. Kilo Code: Open-source AI coding agent for VS Code, JetBrains and CLI with 500+ models.

**Does DeepSeek or Kilo Code have a free plan?**

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

**Which is cheaper, DeepSeek or Kilo Code?**

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