Skip to content

DeepSeek

What it is

DeepSeek is an AI research company that provides powerful open-weight and API-based models, particularly strong in coding and mathematics.

What problem it solves

Provides extremely high-performance LLMs (rivaling GPT-4/Claude 3.5) at a significantly lower cost point, making high-volume agentic loops more affordable.

Where it fits in the stack

LLM / Reasoning Engine. A cost-effective alternative for coding agents and complex reasoning tasks.

Architecture overview

Available via their own API (DeepSeek Platform) or can be self-hosted using the open-weight versions (DeepSeek-V3, DeepSeek-Coder-V2).

Typical workflows

  • Massive Refactoring: Using high-performance models for large-scale code changes without the high cost of OpenAI/Anthropic.
  • Math/Logic Tasks: Leveraging DeepSeek's strong performance in logic-heavy domains.
  • Cheap Agentic Exploration: Running agents in "discovery" modes where many API calls are expected.

Strengths

  • Incredible Price/Performance: Often 1/10th or less of the cost of competitors for similar performance.
  • Coding Performance: DeepSeek-Coder series is top-tier.
  • Open Weights: Allows for self-hosting on high-end hardware.

Limitations

  • Region/Availability: Can sometimes experience higher latency or downtime depending on API region.
  • Model Bias: May have different behavioral nuances compared to Western-developed models.

When to use it

  • When cost is a major factor in scaling agentic workflows.
  • For specialized coding tasks where DeepSeek-Coder excels.
  • When you want to experiment with high-end reasoning without a large budget.

When not to use it

  • If your security policy restricts data flow to certain regions/providers.
  • When absolute maximum reliability (SLA) is required (OpenAI/Anthropic are generally more stable).

Security considerations

  • API Privacy: Review their data handling and privacy policy.
  • Key Management: Use standard secret management practices.