In short
How they differ.
Worked out from the makers' own pages, read Oct 20, 2026. Prices change; check before you pay.
- Only ChatGPT deep research has a free plan.
- ChatGPT deep research also has a phone app and computer app.
Side by side
The details.
| ChatGPT deep research | DeepSeek | |
|---|---|---|
| Made by | OpenAI · United States | DeepSeek · China |
| What it says it is | “Deep research helps you accomplish complex online tasks by reasoning, researching, and synthesizing information” | “Now live on our website, app, and API.” |
| Free plan | YesPricing page lists "Limited deep research" on Free and Go; Plus "Expanded deep research"; Pro "Maximum deep research". Help center: "Deep research usage varies by plan." Exact task counts not published on the pages read. | Not statedNot verified from a fetched page (see unverified). DeepSeek's own pages read did not state prices or a free/paid split. |
| Plans | Free: freeGo: $8 a monthPlus: $20 a monthPro: $100 a monthBusiness: $25 a month | Not shown |
| Runs on | web, desktop, mobile | web, app, API |
| Latest update | — | DeepSeek-V4.1-Flash-1017: Wish-Driven Programming Made Real, Oct 17, 2026 |
| Its terms | “When you use our services for individuals (Free, Plus, Pro), we may use your content to train our models.”What it does with your data · OpenAI Help Center: How your data is used to improve model performance | “To provide you with our services, we directly collect, process and store your Personal Data in People's Republic of China.”What it does with your data · DeepSeek Privacy Policy |
| Disputes | None on file | None on file |
| Sources | Prices, Oct 20, 2026 · Description · company-reported | Prices, Oct 20, 2026 · Description · company-reported |
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