# DeepSeek vs Novastart

> DeepSeek: Free AI chat app and low-cost API running DeepSeek's open-weights V4 models
> Novastart: Infinite canvas desktop where your apps, teammates and AI agents share one workspace

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

## Verdict

DeepSeek is listed under AI Assistants and Novastart under Productivity. DeepSeek scores higher in FinderAtlas's editorial review (8.8 vs 7.3 out of 10). Both have a free plan or trial. Only DeepSeek is available on Web, iOS and Android and offers an API. Only Novastart is available on Linux.

### 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 Novastart if

- You want a tool built for keeping many apps and projects organized in saved workspaces, watching AI agents work step by step, sharing a live workspace with teammates.
- Agents work with a visible cursor and can be paused, steered or taken over.
- Permanent free plan with all apps available.

## Pricing

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

## Features

| Feature | DeepSeek | Novastart |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 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 |
| Infinite canvas | Not listed | Yes |
| Saved canvases | Not listed | Yes |
| Visible AI agents | Not listed | Yes |
| Multi-agent runs | Not listed | Yes |
| Agent modes | Not listed | Yes |
| Team collaboration | Not listed | Yes |
| Real apps | Not listed | Yes |
| Local-first data | Not listed | Yes |
| Undo history | Not listed | Yes |

## Platforms

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

## Novastart strengths

- Agents work with a visible cursor and can be paused, steered or taken over
- Permanent free plan with all apps available
- Pro at $10 per month removes canvas limits
- Local-first design keeps canvas contents on the user's machine
- Peer-to-peer canvas sharing with per-person cursors

## Novastart limitations

- The app is a full computer in a window and the site warns to expect some lag
- App supports only Windows and Intel Macs, and needs 8 GB RAM and virtualization
- Novastart OS replaces the existing system on the PC it is installed on
- Agent use costs extra on every plan and needs credits of $25 or more
- Young product launched in September 2026 with little independent review history

## FAQ

**Is DeepSeek better than Novastart?**

It depends on your workflow. DeepSeek is built for Low-cost API integration. Novastart is built for keeping many apps and projects organized in saved workspaces, watching AI agents work step by step, sharing a live workspace with teammates.

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

DeepSeek: Free AI chat app and low-cost API running DeepSeek's open-weights V4 models. Novastart: Infinite canvas desktop where your apps, teammates and AI agents share one workspace.

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

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

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

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