DeepSeek (High-Flyer subsidiary) builds open-weight frontier LLMs including DeepSeek-V3 and R1. Released under permissive licenses, achieving GPT-4-class performance at fraction of training cost. Hangzhou-based. Triggered the early-2025 reset of Western AI economics.
How DeepSeek compares with its closest alternatives
All 5 closest alternatives have a free plan, as DeepSeek does. All 5 offer an API, as DeepSeek does. DeepSeek offers a web app. Of the 2 alternatives with platforms on record, all 2 offer a web app. DeepSeek was founded in 2023; the alternatives were founded between 2019 and 2023, 1 of them earlier. DeepSeek is based in Hangzhou, China; 4 of its 5 alternatives are in China too, and the others in France.
Market position · AI Models
How DeepSeek compares in AI Models
DeepSeek has high opportunity and sits in the top third of 455 live AI Models tools on FalcoScan. Across AI Models, the average opportunity score is 74.6 and the average saturation score 30.5. FalcoScan rates DeepSeek's own market position as open. 200 of the 455 operating AI Models tools have hot momentum, and FalcoScan has recorded 13 shutdowns in the category.
The closest alternatives to DeepSeek that are still running, matched on the AI capabilities, uses and audience they share, are Qwen, Zhipu AI, Mistral AI, 01.AI, and Moonshot AI.
Is DeepSeek still running?
Yes. As of 2 November 2026, FalcoScan lists DeepSeek as operating at deepseek.com.
Where is DeepSeek based?
DeepSeek is headquartered in Hangzhou, China.
Does DeepSeek have an API?
Yes. DeepSeek offers an API.
Who is DeepSeek for?
DeepSeek is built for developers, enterprises, and researchers.
How do I sign in to DeepSeek?
Sign in on DeepSeek's own website, deepseek.com. FalcoScan reviews DeepSeek but does not run its accounts, so logins, passwords and billing are handled by DeepSeek directly.