DeepSeek and ChatGPT are going head-to-head. Which AI chatbot comes out on top?
On Monday, DeepSeek, a Chinese AI startup, overtook OpenAI’s app as the most-downloaded free app in the US on the App Store. Their homepage currently says, “Due to large-scale malicious attacks on DeepSeek’s services, registration may be busy. Please wait and try again.” Looks like the battle of DeepSeek vs. ChatGPT is heating up, and it might be shifting the center of AI power beyond the US!
DeepSeek’s making some serious noise in the AI world, but how does it measure up against ChatGPT? I decided to test both chatbots on different tasks like movie critiques, coding, and learning to see which one stands out. Let’s dive into how each AI does with real-world tasks and figure out which one is the better fit for your everyday needs.
Writing assistance
As a movie buff, I asked both AI chatbots for their take on how “Silver Linings Playbook” handles mental health.
ChatGPT gave a more natural and engaging response, keeping things concise and easy to read while still covering the key points. It avoids rigid structure, making the explanation feel more like a casual conversation.
DeepSeek, on the other hand, felt more like an academic analysis. It had more structure and detail, but some ideas were repeated.
Next, I had both write a blog post critiquing the film’s portrayal of mental illness.
Both covered the main points well, but ChatGPT’s version was more engaging and flowed naturally. Something you’d actually expect in a blog. It struck a good balance between critique and praise without feeling too stiff or academic.
DeepSeek was more structured and analytical but lost some of the casual readability that makes a blog enjoyable. The numbered sections and rhetorical questions made it feel more like an essay than a friendly discussion.
ChatGPT:
“Silver Linings Playbook is a step in the right direction for mental health representation in film, but it’s not without its flaws.”
💬 This keeps the tone conversational—acknowledging both sides while keeping the reader engaged.
DeepSeek:
“Silver Linings Playbook deserves credit for portraying its characters as multidimensional—Pat and Tiffany are flawed, funny, and aspirational.”
💬 This is well-written, but the formal phrasing makes it feel more detached.
Overall, ChatGPT wins for readability and tone, while DeepSeek is better for an in-depth, academic breakdown.
Coding
People using ChatGPT and DeepSeek generally agree that OpenAI’s chatbot still does a great job with more conversational and creative responses.
That said, most users think DeepSeek is the better choice for technical tasks. If you’re using an AI chatbot for coding, logical reasoning, or math equations, you might want to give DeepSeek a shot since its responses could be more accurate.
For instance, an X user recently shared, “i asked DeepSeek to generate an analysis of a Stock, and it even created code for me to graph it in Python… this is insane.”
Web search
I gave both ChatGPT and DeepSeek a try to see which one could pull up more accurate info about me through a web search.
ChatGPT shared a lot of helpful details, like my background, education, and even a research proposal I worked on. It gave a pretty solid view of my professional life and interests, though it did link to other sources without diving too deep into them.
DeepSeek, however, zeroed in mostly on my tech work, like my articles on the US TikTok ban and CES 2025 coverage. It focused a lot on my contributions to The Gadget Flow but didn’t touch much on my personal background or education.
Learning
I can’t help but feel a little jealous of students today. Back when I was in school, all I had was Khan Academy, which was helpful, but it wasn’t really interactive. ChatGPT, meanwhile, is like having a personal tutor 24/7, and it doesn’t make me feel dumb for learning at my own pace. Do you think DeepSeek could give it a run for its money?
From what I’ve tested, DeepSeek does a great job of explaining things in a way even a 5-year-old could get. It uses fun analogies, like a “tower made of toy blocks,” that are easy to picture and relatable for kids. Breaking things down into simple concepts, like “fights inside” and “bigger kids attacking,” makes the whole thing feel familiar and easy to understand.
DeepSeek also adds a light and positive twist by mentioning Roman achievements like cool roads and laws, leaving the child with something interesting to remember. The overall tone is playful and simple, making it easier for young children to grasp the concept.
DeepSeek vs. ChatGPT: Parting thoughts
In the battle of DeepSeek vs. ChatGPT, both bring unique strengths to the table. ChatGPT shines in casual conversations and creative tasks, offering natural, engaging responses that are perfect for writing assistance and learning. Its friendly tone makes complex ideas easier to digest.
On the flip side, DeepSeek is a powerhouse for more technical tasks, like coding and research. Its analytical approach is ideal for users who need detailed, accurate answers. If you’re looking for precision and depth, DeepSeek might be your go-to choice.
