I Used Deepseek AI Instead of ChatGPT for a Week – Here’s My Review

After seeing Deepseek AI trending on X (formerly Twitter), I decided to ditch my usual AI companion, ChatGPT, for a week-long experiment. You know how it is – sometimes you need to shake things up a bit to see if the grass really is greener on the other side.

Seven days of intensive testing later, and I’ve got some thoughts that might raise a few eyebrows. First off – and I hate to be that person – but ChatGPT might want to look over its shoulder. Deepseek isn’t just keeping up; it’s matching OpenAI’s premium GPT-4 capabilities stride for stride. The kicker? It’s doing it all for free.

What really sets it apart (and frankly, had me a bit mesmerized) is its transparency in showing its reasoning process. Imagine having a brilliant friend who gives you the answer and walks you through their entire thought process, complete with occasional “aha!” moments and clever shortcuts.

I put Deepseek through its paces with everything from complex research tasks to creative writing challenges. While it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows (more on that later), the results were impressive enough to make me rethink my AI allegiances.

Here’s my honest review of Deepseek AI, what impressed me, where it fell short, and my experience using it. 

Key Takeaways

1. Deepseek AI is an open-source large language model developed in China. It is designed to offer a customizable and flexible alternative to popular models like ChatGPT.
2. Deepseek AI is free to use, making it an appealing option for developers, researchers, and content creators.
3. Deepseek AI excels in general text generation, coding assistance through its Deepseek-Coder feature, and multilingual capabilities, especially with English and Chinese.
4. The active community and open-source nature of Deepseek AI offer great opportunities for experimentation and development.
5. Deepseek AI suits developers and users who want to customize their AI experience or integrate it into various applications.

Deepseek AI Overview

Deepseek AI is a large language model (LLM) developed in China. It is designed to compete with established models like ChatGPT. Its open-source nature sets it apart, which gives developers the freedom to modify and build on it for various applications. This flexibility makes it appealing to everyday users and researchers and tech enthusiasts looking to explore AI’s potential.

One of its latest advancements is Deepseek-R1, which enhances the model’s reasoning, problem-solving, and data-processing abilities. What sets Deepseek AI apart is its focus on deep search capabilities, hence the name. It aims to dig deeper into information, analyze data, and provide more detailed, accurate responses. This makes it particularly useful for tasks that require critical thinking, such as academic research, technical writing, or data-driven projects.

Like other AI models, Deepseek AI has strengths and limitations. What caught my attention was its ability to process large datasets and deliver insightful outputs. In the next sections, I’ll share my personal experience using Deepseek AI for a week and compare it to tools like ChatGPT.

Getting started withDeepseek AI

Getting started with Deepseek AI was easy. I could access it when I logged in to the site using my Google account. The model is available through a web interface, and there are API options if you’re more technically inclined. I stuck with the web version since I wanted to test it out for everyday use. There is no need to download extra apps or deal with complicated installations. Just sign up, log in, and you’re good to go.

The user interface felt clean and minimalistic, which I appreciated. It’s not overloaded with features that make you feel lost immediately. The layout is intuitive, with a simple text box where you can start typing your prompts. I liked that there wasn’t a steep learning curve. I could go into testing different tasks without figuring out how things work.

My first interactions with Deepseek AI were smooth. The responses came quickly, and it felt responsive even when I threw longer, more complex prompts at it. Overall, the setup process was easy, and the user interface made the initial experience feel accessible, even if you’re not tech-savvy.

Key Features and Capabilities of Deepseek AI

After spending a week with Deepseek AI, I noticed several outstanding features. Here’s a breakdown of its key capabilities and how they perform:

Features	Description
Advanced Natural Language Understanding & Generation	Deepseek AI easily handles complex prompts, generating coherent, contextually accurate responses. Excellent for writing, summarizing, and detailed explanations.
Multilingual Support	It supports multiple languages, including English and Chinese, making it versatile for global users. Responses in both languages are fluent and natural.
Deepseek-Coder	A specialized model designed for programming tasks. It can assist with code generation, debugging, and explanations for various programming languages.
Open-Source Accessibility	Fully open-source, allowing developers and researchers to modify, customize, and improve the model for different projects and applications.
Data Analysis Capabilities	Handles complex data queries, providing summaries, insights, and structured outputs. Ideal for research and business analytics.
Fast Response Time	Processes requests quickly, even for large datasets or complex queries, making it efficient for casual and professional use.
Customizable APIs	Offers API access for businesses and developers to integrate its capabilities into custom applications or workflows.
Strong Reasoning Skills	Performs well in logical reasoning tasks, problem-solving scenarios, and answering intricate questions that require critical thinking.

Performance in Practical Applications

During my week with Deepseek AI, I tested it in different scenarios to see how well it handles real-world tasks. From content creation to coding and data analysis, I wanted to push its limits and see if it could match or outperform tools like ChatGPT. Here’s how it performed in each case:

1. Content Creation and Creative Writing

As someone who relies on AI for writing, I wanted to see how Deepseek AI would handle content generation. I tested it with tasks like blog post intros, article outlines, and creative storytelling prompts. Its performance was decent, though not as polished as the more advanced GPT models I’m used to. 

While it maintained a natural flow and a consistent tone, it sometimes missed the mark even when I asked for different styles. 

For example, when I requested a casual, friendly blog intro, it got the tone right but sounded too extra, and unnecessary words were used. It also tended to over-explain simple points, which meant I had to make a few edits.

2. Coding Assistance with Deepseek-Coder

I’m not a coder, but I know enough to test the basics. I used Deepseek-Coder for simple tasks like generating Python scripts, fixing code errors, and explaining code snippets.

Deepseek-Coder handled code generation well. It delivered clean, functional code when I asked it to write a basic Python script to automate data sorting. 

When I intentionally inserted errors into a piece of code, it quickly identified the issues and explained the fixes clearly. I appreciated its beginner-friendly explanations.

3. Data Analysis and Complex Queries

For data analysis, I fed Deepseek AI structured datasets and asked it to summarize trends, make simple projections, and answer data-related questions. However, when I tried to attach an Excel sheet containing data, it failed to upload.    

While Deepseek AI isn’t a dedicated data analysis tool like Excel or specialized software, it did a decent job interpreting data and providing insightful summaries. I uploaded a dataset on website traffic and asked for key trends. It highlighted patterns accurately and even suggested possible reasons behind traffic spikes.

However, more complex statistical analysis required detailed instructions to deliver accurate results. It’s excellent for quick insights but not a replacement for advanced data tools.

What i liked about Deepseek

In this section, I’ll highlight the key advantages of using Deepseek AI, from its text generation quality to its open-source accessibility. After a week of using it here are some of the things that caught my attention:

1. High-Quality, Coherent Text Generation

One of the first things I appreciated was how well Deepseek AI handled text generation. It didn’t feel like I had to spend a lot of time editing or rephrasing, which saved me time. The flow of ideas was natural, maintaining context even in longer pieces, which isn’t always true with some AI models.

2. Efficiency in Understanding and Responding to Diverse Prompts

I threw all sorts of prompts at Deepseek AI, and it handled them with impressive speed and accuracy. It understood my requests without much extra clarification, making interactions smooth. Even when I gave complex instructions, it broke them down effectively and provided relevant responses without missing key details.

3. Cost-Effectiveness Thanks to Its Open-Source Nature

The fact that Deepseek AI is open-source is a huge plus. It’s accessible without the hefty price tags that often come with premium AI tools. For developers and researchers, this is a game-changer because it allows for customization without licensing restrictions. Even as a regular user, knowing that I could explore its capabilities without worrying about subscription costs felt like a win.

4. Active Community Support and Ongoing Development

Another impressive aspect of Deepseek AI is the active community. Since it’s open-source, constant updates, improvements, and discussions exist. This kind of community-driven development means the model constantly evolves, with new features and bug fixes rolling out regularly. Plus, a wealth of resources and support is available if you run into issues or want to learn more about specific functions.

Where I think Deepseek can improve

While I had a generally positive experience with Deepseek AI, there were a few areas where it could improve. Here are some of the limitations I encountered:

1. Handling of Highly Specialized or Niche Topics

Deepseek AI did an excellent job with general prompts and commonly discussed subjects, but it sometimes struggled with highly specialized or niche topics. For instance, when I asked about cutting-edge scientific research or particular technical fields, the responses weren’t as detailed or accurate as I hoped.

2. Occasional Inaccuracies or Inconsistencies in Responses

Throughout my testing, I noticed a few instances where Deepseek AI produced responses that weren’t entirely accurate. Sometimes, it would give plausible-sounding information that, upon further checking, turned out to be incorrect or outdated. I also ran into minor inconsistencies, where it would offer one answer in one instance and a slightly different one in another.

3. User Interface Enhancements for Better Accessibility

While the user interface is clean and easy to use, I feel there’s room for improvement regarding accessibility. For example, adding more customization options or a more straightforward layout for managing multiple tasks would help. A few extra features, like a dark mode for extended use or a more detailed help section for beginners, could also enhance the user experience. 

Ideal Users for Deepseek AI

Deepseek AI is a versatile tool, but certain groups of users would significantly benefit from its capabilities. Here are a few ideal candidates who would make the most of what Deepseek AI has to offer:

1. Researchers Seeking an Open-Source LLM for Experimentation

For researchers, Deepseek AI is a valuable resource. Its open-source nature allows researchers to experiment with, modify, and integrate it into custom projects. The active development community also means you’ll never be alone in troubleshooting or brainstorming new applications.

2. Developers Looking for AI Assistance in Coding

If you’re a developer, especially one working on programming-related projects, Deepseek-Coder is a game-changer. Its ability to generate code, debug errors, and explain code snippets makes it an ideal assistant. Its adaptability for novice and experienced developers makes it a great addition to any coding toolkit.

3. Content Creators in Need of Advanced Language Generation Tools

For content creators, Deepseek AI is an invaluable tool for generating high-quality, coherent text. Its ability to adjust tone and style while still producing accurate and relevant content makes it an attractive choice for anyone who needs to create text quickly and efficiently without sacrificing quality.

Comparison with Other Language Models

Here’s a quick comparison between Deepseek AI and popular large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT and Gemini. This table highlights key differences in performance, cost, accessibility, and community support to give you a clearer picture of how Deepseek stacks up.

Features	Deepseek AI	ChatGPT	Gemini
Performance in Various Tasks	Handles general text generation well; struggles with highly specialized topics. Excellent for coding with Deepseek-Coder.	Excellent at general text generation, creative writing, and Q&A. Performs better with general knowledge but can sometimes struggle with accuracy.	Strong in creative text generation, real-time information retrieval, and integration with Google search.
Cost	Open-source and free to use. No subscription fees.	Offers both free and premium plans—subscription required for full access to GPT-4.	Free to use but may be limited in some regions or features.
Accessibility	Fully open-source and customizable. Accessible via API, web interface, or apps.	Accessible via web app, with API available for business use.	Available as a web app with limited API access for specific partners.
Community and Developer Support	Strong community support due to open-source nature. Active development and contributions.	Extensive community and developer support, with vast documentation and resources.	Active community but more limited developer support compared to ChatGPT or Deepseek AI.

Deepseek AI is uniquely positioned with its open-source nature and strong community support. Compared to ChatGPT, it offers a cost-effective solution and more customization, but it lags in specialized knowledge handling. Gemini excels in integrating real-time data but lacks the same level of customization and open-source flexibility that Deepseek AI provides. Ultimately, Deepseek is a great choice if you’re looking for a free, flexible, and powerful language model for general tasks, especially if you’re a developer or researcher.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is DeepSeek AI free to use?

Yes! One of the biggest perks of Deepseek AI is that it is open-source and free to use. You don’t have to pay any subscription fees or worry about hidden costs. The open-source nature also means you can modify and experiment with the code if you’re a developer or researcher.

2. How does DeepSeek AI compare to other AI models in terms of performance?

Deepseek AI performs similarly to leading LLMs like ChatGPT and Gemini in general text generation and basic tasks. However, it excels in coding assistance with its Deepseek-Coder feature. For highly specialized or niche topics, it may not be as accurate or detailed as some other models, though. Overall, it’s a strong contender but may have some gaps compared to GPT-4 in areas of profound knowledge.

3. What are the system requirements for running DeepSeek AI?

Since Deepseek AI is an open-source model, the system requirements vary depending on how you want to deploy it. For most users, accessing it via the web interface or through apps won’t require heavy system specs. However, if you plan to run Deepseek AI locally or use it for large-scale projects, you’ll need a machine with decent CPU and GPU capabilities (preferably with at least 8GB of RAM and a strong processor). For API usage, the only requirements are internet access and a developer setup.

4. Is there a community or support forum for users?

Yes, there’s an active community around Deepseek AI due to its open-source nature. You can find helpful discussions, troubleshooting tips, and contributions on platforms like GitHub. The community is engaged, and developers frequently share improvements and offer assistance in the forums. Whether you’re new to AI or an expert, there’s always someone to contact.

5. Can I use DeepSeek AI for commercial projects?

Yes, since Deepseek AI is open-source, you can use it for personal and commercial projects, as long as you comply with the licensing terms. It’s ideal for businesses looking to integrate AI into their workflows or for developers creating custom applications.

6. How regularly is DeepSeek AI updated?

Deepseek AI is actively developed, with regular updates pushed to improve features, fix bugs, and add new capabilities. The open-source nature allows for contributions from the community, so you can expect ongoing improvements. You can track updates and participate in discussions via the official GitHub repository.

7. What makes DeepSeek AI different from other models?

The key difference is its open-source accessibility, which makes it an excellent choice for developers and researchers who want a customizable LLM. It’s free to use, and you can tweak it. Including Deepseek-Coder for coding assistance sets it apart from general-purpose models like ChatGPT. Plus, its active community support ensures continuous development and troubleshooting.

8. How secure is DeepSeek AI for handling sensitive data?

Deepseek AI doesn’t have built-in encryption or specific privacy measures, especially since it’s open-source. If you’re handling sensitive data, you must ensure proper security measures are in place when deploying it. For example, you can implement encryption or secure API usage, but security depends on how you integrate and use the model.

9. Can DeepSeek AI handle multiple languages?

Yes, Deepseek AI supports multiple languages, including English and Chinese. This makes it an excellent tool for users in multilingual environments or those working on international projects. It benefits those needing an LLM that can work seamlessly in both languages.

Wrapping Up 

After using Deepseek AI for a week, I’m impressed with its flexibility and power. It’s perfect for developers, content creators, and researchers looking for a customizable, open-source model. While it could improve in specialized areas, it performs well for general tasks. What is the best part? It’s free.

If you’re looking for a versatile AI tool without the usual costs, Deepseek AI is worth exploring. Try it and see how it fits into your projects.