# DeepSeek vs Riff

> DeepSeek: Free AI chat app and low-cost API running DeepSeek's open-weights V4 models
> Riff: Draft fresh replies, DMs and posts for X, LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram on-device

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

## Verdict

DeepSeek is listed under AI Assistants and Riff under Productivity. DeepSeek scores higher in FinderAtlas's editorial review (8.8 vs 7.8 out of 10). Both have a free plan or trial. Only DeepSeek is available on Web, Windows and macOS and offers an API. Only Riff is available on Chrome Extension.

### 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 Riff if

- You want a tool built for writing quick replies and comments on social posts.
- Free, with no account, subscription or API key.
- Generation runs on-device with Gemini Nano, so text is not sent to a server.

## Pricing

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

## Features

| Feature | DeepSeek | Riff |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 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 |
| On-device AI | Not listed | Yes |
| Replies and comments | Not listed | Yes |
| DM replies and first messages | Not listed | Yes |
| Riff a post | Not listed | Yes |
| Dials | Not listed | Yes |
| Repurposing | Not listed | Yes |
| Voices and presets | Not listed | Yes |
| Never sends for you | Not listed | Yes |

## Platforms

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

## Riff strengths

- Free, with no account, subscription or API key
- Generation runs on-device with Gemini Nano, so text is not sent to a server
- Covers replies, DMs, posts and X threads in one side panel
- Never presses send, which keeps the user in control
- Dials for tone, pitch and length, plus a Fresh score to avoid repetitive openings

## Riff limitations

- Requires desktop Chrome 138 or newer and a one-time Gemini Nano download
- Output quality is limited by the small on-device model
- Chrome only; no Firefox, Safari or mobile support
- Very new, with few reviews on the Chrome Web Store

## FAQ

**Is DeepSeek better than Riff?**

It depends on your workflow. DeepSeek is built for Low-cost API integration. Riff is built for writing quick replies and comments on social posts.

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

DeepSeek: Free AI chat app and low-cost API running DeepSeek's open-weights V4 models. Riff: Draft fresh replies, DMs and posts for X, LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram on-device.

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

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

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

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