In just 20 months, DeepSeek has gone from an unknown startup to a global sensation, turning heads across the AI world and beyond. Founded in May 2023, this Chinese AI powerhouse has achieved what few thought possible: challenging OpenAI’s ChatGPT head-on with groundbreaking technology, unmatched affordability, and a bold open-source approach.

In January 2025, DeepSeek's app soared to #1 on the Apple App Store, dethroning ChatGPT and amassing an incredible 2.6 million downloads in a single day. Its latest model, DeepSeek-V3, boasts an eye-popping 671 billion parameters while costing just 1/30th of OpenAI’s API pricing - only $2.19 per million tokens compared to $60.00.

Here's everything you need to know about DeepSeek, its technology, how it compares to ChatGPT, and what it means for businesses and AI enthusiasts alike.

What is DeepSeek?

DeepSeek is an advanced AI platform developed by a team of young researchers with a focus on tackling technical tasks, logical reasoning, coding, and mathematics. The startup behind DeepSeek originally began as Fire-Flyer, a research arm of High-Flyer, one of China’s top quantitative hedge funds. DeepSeek quickly evolved into a standalone AI innovator, introducing its R1 model in January 2025.

What sets DeepSeek apart is its openness - the R1 model is fully open-source, meaning developers can download and run it locally. This approach has earned the company goodwill in the global AI research community, offering unparalleled transparency and flexibility for users concerned about data privacy.

The tech behind DeepSeek

DeepSeek is redefining AI by doing more with less. Instead of relying on expensive hardware, it uses clever design to deliver powerful results at a fraction of the cost, relying on software-driven efficiency. Here’s how:

1. Smarter efficiency, less power
   DeepSeek uses a unique approach called Mixture-of-Experts (MoE), which ensures it only uses the computing power it needs. This keeps costs low while maintaining top-notch performance. Think of it like a smart car that only uses gas when necessary, saving resources without slowing down.

2. Faster and leaner
   Another innovation, called Multi-Head Latent Attention (MLA), makes DeepSeek run faster and use memory more efficiently. This means quicker results without needing massive servers or high-end tech, perfect for businesses on a budget.

3. Open-source innovation
   DeepSeek’s openness is a game-changer. By sharing its model with the public, it taps into global expertise to improve and grow faster. Plus, being open-source means you can use it privately and securely, keeping sensitive data in your hands.

4. Training smarter, not Harder
   DeepSeek delivers performance on par with some of the biggest AI players (like GPT-4) but with only one-tenth of the resources by similar models like Meta’s Llama 3. 

These innovations have allowed DeepSeek to circumvent U.S. export restrictions on cutting-edge chips, proving that great AI doesn’t always require billions of dollars in infrastructure.

What makes DeepSeek different?

DeepSeek stands out because it’s designed with businesses in mind, making advanced AI more accessible and practical. Here’s why it’s perfect for marketers and small business owners:

💸 Affordable and Cost-Effective
Unlike most AI tools that come with hefty infrastructure costs, DeepSeek is optimized to deliver top performance without breaking the bank. Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur or running a growing business, it’s powerful and budget-friendly.

🧠 Built for Precision Tasks
DeepSeek thrives at technical work, such as data analysis, logical problem-solving, and automation. Need to crunch numbers, analyze trends, or streamline workflows? DeepSeek is your go-to, especially if your business relies on accurate results.

🔒 Privacy and Control
With DeepSeek, your data stays yours. Its open-source nature means you can deploy it locally, keeping sensitive customer information private while ensuring full compliance with privacy regulations.

🚀 Smart, Efficient Design
DeepSeek uses advanced techniques like Mixture-of-Experts (MoE) and Multi-Head Latent Attention (MLA) to maximize performance without needing massive computing resources. This smart engineering gives you speed and accuracy without expensive tech investments.

DeepSeek isn’t just another AI tool, it’s redefining how businesses can use AI by focusing on affordability, efficiency, and total control. For marketers and business owners, it’s the perfect partner to scale smarter, not harder.

How does DeepSeek compare to ChatGPT?

DeepSeek and ChatGPT both cater to different needs, but DeepSeek sets itself apart with its technical focus, cost-efficiency, and flexibility. Here's how they stack up when it comes to features that matter for marketers and business owners:

| Feature      | DeepSeek                                                                                       | ChatGPT                                                                                   |
|--------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Purpose       | Excels at technical tasks like coding, data analysis, and mathematical problem-solving.            | Great for conversational tasks, creative writing, and global data-driven responses.           |
| Openness      | Fully open-source: download and run the model locally for complete control and customization.       | Closed-source, requiring access to OpenAI's platform.                                         |
| Cost          | API starts at $0.14 per million tokens, extremely budget-friendly.                                 | API starts at $7.50 per million tokens, significantly more expensive for large usage.         |
| Performance   | Highly efficient for logical tasks and coding, with faster processing speeds and fewer resources needed. | Requires significant infrastructure, excelling in conversational and general-use scenarios.    |
| Market Focus  | Strong in technical niches and localized use cases (especially Chinese markets).                   | Broad global reach with a focus on general and creative applications.                         |
| Privacy      | Allows local use without sharing data, offering superior privacy and compliance options.           | Requires internet connectivity and server-side processing, raising data privacy concerns

Why DeepSeek outperforms ChatGPT in some areas

DeepSeek’s V3 model takes AI efficiency to a new level. Here’s what marketers and business owners should know:

1. Technical superiority for problem solving
   If your business requires AI for logical reasoning, data-heavy tasks, or coding (like generating reports, analyzing customer data, or automating repetitive workflows), DeepSeek is the stronger performer. Benchmarks show it excels in coding tasks, math challenges, and data-focused problem-solving, offering more precise results than ChatGPT.

2. Faster and more affordable
   DeepSeek achieves results faster and at a lower cost. Its R1 API starts at just $0.14 per million tokens, making it accessible for small and medium-sized businesses. ChatGPT, in comparison, costs over 50x more, which can add up quickly for businesses using it extensively.

3. Open-source flexibility
   DeepSeek is fully open-source, meaning you can run it locally without relying on external servers. For businesses handling sensitive customer data, this means greater privacy, control, and compliance with regulations like GDPR. ChatGPT, on the other hand, requires internet access and stores data externally.

4. Localization for Chinese audiences
   DeepSeek shines when targeting Chinese-speaking markets. Its training on Chinese datasets makes it better equipped to understand and generate localized content, helping businesses connect more effectively with Chinese audiences.

5. Efficiency in technical benchmarks
   DeepSeek ranks at the top of open-source models globally, even rivaling advanced closed-source systems like GPT-4. This means you get cutting-edge performance without the usual costs or limitations, especially for math, logic, and coding tasks.

What this means for marketers and business owners

If you’re running an online business, blog, or ecommerce store, here’s how DeepSeek can work for you:

• 🤖 Automate with confidence: DeepSeek excels at streamlining technical tasks like data analysis and report generation, saving you hours of manual work.

• 💸 Stretch your budget further: Its lower costs make it a no-brainer for small businesses and startups needing AI on a budget.

• 🔐 Stay in control: Open-source deployment means your customer data stays private and secure—essential for industries like eCommerce or healthcare.

• 🌏 Reach new markets: For those targeting Chinese-speaking customers, DeepSeek is a powerful tool for creating culturally relevant, localized campaigns.

DeepSeek and web performance optimization

DeepSeek will most likely contribute to the greater adoption of AI-driven speed optimization, making such advanced tools available for more and more enterprises and no longer exclusive to the largest companies. By combining affordability and technical precision, it’s making powerful optimization capabilities accessible to businesses of all sizes.

This democratization of technology has the potential to reshape the industry. Smaller businesses can start to compete on performance, delivering faster, smoother user experiences without the heavy costs traditionally associated with AI solutions. As more businesses embrace tools like DeepSeek, the industry will shift toward a faster, more efficient web driven by smarter, leaner AI.

The ripple effect? Intensified competition and accelerated innovation. Businesses, no matter their size, will need to prioritize speed and user experience to stay ahead. For the speed optimization industry, this means exploring new ways to integrate AI into workflows, tackle performance challenges, and meet the growing demand for real-time insights and optimizations.

With AI tools like DeepSeek leading the charge, the future of speed optimization is about empowering businesses everywhere to create faster, more engaging digital experiences.

How to start using DeepSeek

DeepSeek is built to fit seamlessly into your operations, whether you’re a marketer, a business owner, or part of a growing team. Getting started is simple and offers multiple ways to integrate it into your workflow:

1. Use the app
   Access DeepSeek directly through its app or web platform, where you can interact with the AI without the need for any downloads or installations. This is a great option for businesses that want quick access to its capabilities with minimal setup.

2. API access
   If you’re looking to scale or integrate DeepSeek into your existing systems, the platform offers affordable API plans. This makes it easy to automate tasks like content generation, campaign analysis, or user insights.

3. Explore use cases
   DeepSeek is versatile and can enhance a range of processes for marketers and business owners:

   • Content Creation: Generate ad copy, blog posts, and product descriptions quickly and efficiently.

   • Customer Behavior Analysis: Dive into user data to uncover trends and improve your campaigns.

   • SEO Optimization: Optimize your website or content for better rankings with keyword insights.

   • Localization: For targeting Chinese-speaking markets, DeepSeek’s language capabilities are top-notch.

4. Customize for your workflow
   DeepSeek’s flexibility also allows for deeper customization. If needed, you can download the model and run it locally to have full control over data privacy or tailor it to specific workflows, like:

   • Automating Reports: Streamline marketing performance and analytics reporting.

   • Optimizing Campaigns: Use AI to spot opportunities and adjust strategies in real time.

   • Enhancing Customer Support: Power chatbots or support tools with personalized and fast responses.

The unknowns and challenges

While DeepSeek has made waves with its innovation and affordability, there are challenges it must navigate to cement its place globally. One of the key concerns lies in its reliance on Chinese datasets, which, while robust for local applications, may limit its effectiveness in global markets compared to models like ChatGPT that draw from a broader range of data sources.

Additionally, some users have reported instances of censorship in the hosted version of DeepSeek due to Chinese government regulations. While this doesn’t affect local deployments, it raises questions for businesses considering its hosted services.

Trust and adoption also present hurdles. Convincing global businesses to adopt a Chinese-developed AI tool may be difficult given ongoing geopolitical tensions. Many companies may hesitate to integrate it without assurances of reliability, transparency, and neutrality.

Lastly, DeepSeek’s ability to sustain its cost-efficient model while scaling up for global demand remains uncertain. As interest grows, maintaining its affordability and performance at scale will be critical for its long-term success.

Final Thoughts

DeepSeek represents a bold new direction for AI, proving that innovation doesn’t always come from Big Tech or massive investments. Its affordability, technical precision, and open-source ethos make it a game-changer for developers and businesses looking to optimize their workflows.

While it may not replace ChatGPT outright, DeepSeek has carved out a niche that could disrupt the AI landscape—especially for those seeking cost-effective, privacy-conscious, and technically capable AI solutions.

Are you ready to explore the possibilities with DeepSeek? Let us know how you plan to use it!