GPT-4.1 vs DeepSeek V3 — LLM API Cost Comparison
Compare GPT-4.1 (OpenAI) vs DeepSeek V3 (DeepSeek) on cost per million tokens, context window, and monthly spend.
Prices verified 2026-05-20 · Pricing may change — use the calculator for current estimates
- Input
- $2/1M tokens
- Output
- $8/1M tokens
- Context
- 1M tokens
- Released
- 2025-04
Recommended production model (replaced GPT-4o); 1M context
- Input
- $0.27/1M tokens
- Output
- $1.1/1M tokens
- Context
- 128K tokens
- Released
- 2025-03
Proven open model; cache hit: $0.07/1M input; can also be self-hosted
Monthly Cost by Usage Tier (70% input / 30% output ratio)
| Usage | GPT-4.1 | DeepSeek V3 | Cheaper by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light (1M tokens) | $3.80 | $0.519 | DeepSeek V3 (86%) |
| Moderate (10M tokens) | $38.00 | $5.19 | DeepSeek V3 (86%) |
| Heavy (100M tokens) | $380 | $51.90 | DeepSeek V3 (86%) |
| Very Heavy (1B tokens) | $3,800 | $519 | DeepSeek V3 (86%) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper — GPT-4.1 or DeepSeek V3?
For input tokens, DeepSeek V3 is cheaper at $0.27/1M tokens — 7.4× less than $2/1M. For output tokens, DeepSeek V3 wins at $1.1/1M vs $8/1M. At heavy workloads (100M tokens/month), the cost difference can be significant.
What is the context window difference between GPT-4.1 and DeepSeek V3?
GPT-4.1 supports 1,000,000 tokens per request; DeepSeek V3 supports 128,000 tokens. GPT-4.1 wins on context length, making it better for long documents, large codebases, or extended conversations without chunking.
When should I choose GPT-4.1 over DeepSeek V3?
Choose GPT-4.1 (OpenAI) if you prefer OpenAI's ecosystem, tooling, or reliability track record. Recommended production model (replaced GPT-4o); 1M context. Choose DeepSeek V3 (DeepSeek) if Proven open model; cache hit: $0.07/1M input; can also be self-hosted. 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 GPT-4.1 vs DeepSeek V3?
At 700M input + 300M output tokens (1B total): GPT-4.1 costs $3800; DeepSeek V3 costs $519. The difference is $3281/billion tokens at this 70/30 input/output ratio.