What is the difference between DeepSeek and xAI?

DeepSeek and xAI 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 xAI?

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 xAI?

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 xAI

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

DeepSeek

Provider 1

Models Available

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xAI

Provider 2

Models Available

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Comparison Overview

Total LLM Models

DeepSeek Models

xAI Models

Direct Comparisons

LLM API Pricing Comparison

Total models: 7Both available: 0DeepSeek: 2xAI: 5

Showing 7 of 7 models

Prices per 1M tokens · Last updated: 10/24/2026, 12:11:01 PM

Model ↑	DeepSeek	xAI	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	—
Grok 4.3 xAI	Not available	$1.25 in $2.50 out	—
Grok 4.5 xAI	Not available	$2.00 in $6.00 out	—
Grok 4.6 xAI	Not available	$2.00 in $6.00 out	—
Grok 4.7 xAI	Not available	$2.00 in $6.00 out	—
Grok Build 0.1 0616 xAI	Not available	$1.00 in $2.00 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)

xAI

Grok text models
Chat Completions and Responses endpoints for the Grok models, with configurable reasoning and tool calling
Server-side tools
Web Search, X Search, code execution, file and collection search, and remote MCP tools billed per invocation on top of tokens
Imagine and Voice APIs
Image and video generation billed per image or second, and speech-to-speech, speech-to-text and text-to-speech endpoints
Batch API
Asynchronous processing with a discount on selected models, typically completed within 24 hours
Priority Processing
Higher scheduling priority for lower latency at a premium over standard token rates
Prompt caching
Cached prompt tokens are billed at a reduced rate

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

xAI

Advantages

First-party access to Grok models
Cached-input rates published per model
Batch and priority tiers for cost or latency trade-offs
Also available through Google Cloud Vertex AI and Microsoft Foundry

Considerations

Only xAI's own models are offered
Long-context requests above the published prompt threshold are billed at a higher rate for the whole request
Server-side tool calls add per-invocation charges on top of tokens

Compute Services

DeepSeek

xAI

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

xAI

Per token

Input, cached input, and output tokens billed per 1M, with a higher long-context rate above a prompt-size threshold

Batch

Discounted asynchronous processing for selected models

Priority

A premium over standard rates for higher scheduling priority

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

xAI

Get Started

1
Create an account
Sign up on the xAI console and add credits
2
Create an API key
Generate a key in the console
3
Call the API
Send requests to api.x.ai with an OpenAI-compatible client or the xAI SDK

Support & Global Availability

DeepSeek

Support

Documentation, API status page, and FAQ

xAI

Support

Documentation, status page, and console support