DeepSeek V4.1 Flash vs Gemini 3.8 Flash — LLM API Cost Comparison
Compare DeepSeek V4.1 Flash (DeepSeek) vs Gemini 3.8 Flash (Google) on cost per million tokens, context window, and monthly spend.
Pricing data updated 2026-11-02 · Pricing may change — use the calculator for current estimates
- Input
- $0.05/1M tokens
- Output
- $0.5/1M tokens
- Context
- 1M tokens
- Released
- 2026-09
Auto-added 2026-11; set isCurrent: true after review
- Input
- $0.83/1M tokens
- Output
- $4.13/1M tokens
- Context
- 1M tokens
- Released
- 2026-09
Auto-added 2026-11; set isCurrent: true after review
Monthly Cost by Usage Tier (70% input / 30% output ratio)
| Usage | DeepSeek V4.1 Flash | Gemini 3.8 Flash | Cheaper by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light (1M tokens) | $0.185 | $1.82 | DeepSeek V4.1 Flash (90%) |
| Moderate (10M tokens) | $1.85 | $18.20 | DeepSeek V4.1 Flash (90%) |
| Heavy (100M tokens) | $18.50 | $182 | DeepSeek V4.1 Flash (90%) |
| Very Heavy (1B tokens) | $185 | $1,820 | DeepSeek V4.1 Flash (90%) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper — DeepSeek V4.1 Flash or Gemini 3.8 Flash?
For input tokens, DeepSeek V4.1 Flash is cheaper at $0.05/1M tokens (16.6x lower). For output tokens, DeepSeek V4.1 Flash is cheaper at $0.5/1M tokens. Total cost depends on the input and output mix.
What is the context window difference between DeepSeek V4.1 Flash and Gemini 3.8 Flash?
DeepSeek V4.1 Flash supports 1,048,576 tokens per request; Gemini 3.8 Flash supports 1,048,576 tokens. Both models have the same listed context window.
When should I choose DeepSeek V4.1 Flash over Gemini 3.8 Flash?
Choose DeepSeek V4.1 Flash (DeepSeek) if you prefer DeepSeek's ecosystem, tooling, or reliability track record. Auto-added 2026-11; set isCurrent: true after review. Choose Gemini 3.8 Flash (Google) if Auto-added 2026-11; set isCurrent: true after review. the price/performance fits your workload better. Use this calculator to find the break-even point for your exact token volume.
How much does 1 billion tokens cost on DeepSeek V4.1 Flash vs Gemini 3.8 Flash?
At 700M input + 300M output tokens (1B total): DeepSeek V4.1 Flash costs $185; Gemini 3.8 Flash costs $1820. The difference is $1635/billion tokens at this 70/30 input/output ratio.