What is the difference between DeepSeek and Groq?

DeepSeek and Groq are both cloud GPU providers offering different pricing models, features, and GPU availability. Use our comparison tool to see real-time pricing and feature differences.

Which is cheaper: DeepSeek or Groq?

Pricing varies by GPU model and usage requirements. Check our real-time comparison table to find the best deals for your specific needs.

Can I switch between DeepSeek and Groq?

Yes, both providers offer flexible cloud GPU services. However, consider factors like data transfer costs, setup time, and specific features when switching between providers.

DeepSeek vs Groq

Compare LLM inference API pricing between DeepSeek and Groq. Find the best rates for AI training, inference, and ML workloads.

DeepSeek

Provider 1

Models Available

Visit Website

Groq

Provider 2

Models Available

Visit Website

Comparison Overview

Total LLM Models

DeepSeek Models

Groq Models

Direct Comparisons

LLM API Pricing Comparison

Total models: 5Both available: 0DeepSeek: 2Groq: 3

Showing 5 of 5 models

Prices per 1M tokens · Last updated: 10/24/2026, 8:47:18 PM

Model ↑	DeepSeek	Groq	Input Diff ↕
DeepSeek V4 Pro DeepSeek	$1.32 in $3.96 out	Not available	—
DeepSeek V4.1 Flash DeepSeek	$0.300 in $1.20 out	Not available	—
GPT-OSS-120B OpenAI	Not available	$0.150 in $0.600 out	—
GPT-OSS-20B OpenAI	Not available	$0.075 in $0.300 out	—
Qwen3.8 27B Alibaba	Not available	$0.800 in $4.00 out	—

Features Comparison

DeepSeek

OpenAI and Anthropic formats
The same models are served on an OpenAI-compatible base URL and an Anthropic-compatible one
Thinking mode
Models support thinking and non-thinking modes selected per request
Context caching
Repeated prompt prefixes are billed at a cache-hit rate well below the cache-miss input rate
Off-peak pricing
Rates are halved outside the published weekday peak hours and on weekends
JSON output and tool calls
Structured JSON output, tool calling, chat prefix completion and FIM completion (beta)

Groq

LPU-Powered Inference
Custom Language Processing Units run inference, with 256 LPUs and 128 GB of on-chip SRAM per rack
OpenAI-Compatible API
Drop-in replacement for the OpenAI API at api.groq.com/openai/v1, including a Responses API
Layered Platform
GroqMetal bare-metal infrastructure, GroqCore inference stack, and GroqAssured enterprise governance, each including the layers below
Multimodal Endpoints
Text generation plus speech-to-text, text-to-speech, OCR and image recognition, and content moderation models
Agentic Systems and Built-In Tools
Compound systems that combine models with web search, code execution, remote MCP tools, and Google Workspace connectors
Service Tiers
Performance, flex, and batch processing tiers, plus prompt caching, structured outputs, and LoRA inference

Pros & Cons

DeepSeek

Advantages

First-party rates for DeepSeek's own models
Cache-hit input billed at a fraction of the cache-miss rate
Off-peak hours cut every rate in half
Compatible with OpenAI and Anthropic client libraries

Considerations

Only DeepSeek's own models are offered
Rates depend on time of day, which complicates cost forecasting
Per-account concurrency limits apply

Groq

Advantages

High published token speeds (500 t/s on GPT-OSS 120B, 1,000 t/s on GPT-OSS 20B)
OpenAI-compatible API for easy integration
Competitive pricing for open-weight models
Free tier available for testing

Considerations

Small model catalog: production text models are limited to OpenAI GPT-OSS
Focus on inference only - no training capabilities
Several models are preview-only and may be discontinued at short notice

Compute Services

DeepSeek

Groq

Pricing Options

DeepSeek

Per token, peak

Cache-hit input, cache-miss input and output billed per 1M tokens during weekday peak hours

Per token, off-peak

Half the peak rates at all other times

Groq

Pay-per-token

Token-based pricing with separate input/output rates; audio models are billed per hour and speech models per character

Batch and flex processing

Alternative service tiers for throughput-tolerant or bursty workloads instead of the standard on-demand tier

Enterprise capacity

Dedicated capacity and enterprise-only models quoted through sales

Free tier

Rate-limited free access for development and testing

Getting Started

DeepSeek

Get Started

1
Create an account
Sign up on the DeepSeek Platform and top up a balance
2
Create an API key
Generate a key in the platform's API keys page
3
Call the API
Point an OpenAI- or Anthropic-compatible client at api.deepseek.com

Groq

Get Started

1
Create an account
Sign up at console.groq.com with email or OAuth
2
Get API key
Generate an API key from the console dashboard
3
Make API calls
Use the OpenAI-compatible endpoint with your preferred model

Support & Global Availability

DeepSeek

Support

Documentation, API status page, and FAQ

Groq

Global Regions

13 data centers across four continents, including sites in the US (Liberty Lake, St Paul, Dallas, Houston), Canada (Kamloops, Vaudreuil-Dorion, Calgary), Finland, the UK, Australia, and Saudi Arabia

Support

Documentation and API reference, developer community, production readiness guides, and enterprise onboarding via sales