Model Comparison

DeepSeek-R1 vs GPT-4.1Which is better in 2026?

Comparing DeepSeek-R1 and GPT-4.1 across benchmarks, pricing, and capabilities.

Verdict: DeepSeek-R1 vs GPT-4.1 — which is better?

DeepSeek-R1 (by DeepSeek) and GPT-4.1 (by OpenAI) are two of the AI models people compare most. Here is how they stack up on benchmarks, price and capabilities, and which one to pick in 2026.

On price, DeepSeek-R1 is roughly 3.6x cheaper per token on a blended 3:1 input/output basis, which adds up quickly at production volume.

GPT-4.1 also accepts a larger context window (1,047,576 input tokens), making it the stronger choice for long documents and large codebases.

Choose DeepSeek-R1 if…

  • cost matters — it's about 3.6x cheaper per token
  • you need open weights you can self-host or fine-tune

Choose GPT-4.1 if…

  • you process long inputs — it offers a 1,047,576 token context window
  • you want the most recent training data — it shipped Apr 2025
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Performance Benchmarks

Comparative analysis across standard metrics

No common benchmarks found

DeepSeek-R1 and GPT-4.1 don't have any common benchmark datasets to compare. They may have been evaluated on different testing suites.

Arena Performance

Human preference votes

Pricing Analysis

Price comparison per million tokens

DeepSeek-R1 costs less

For input processing, DeepSeek-R1 ($0.55/1M tokens) is 3.6x cheaper than GPT-4.1 ($2.00/1M tokens).

For output processing, DeepSeek-R1 ($2.19/1M tokens) is 3.7x cheaper than GPT-4.1 ($8.00/1M tokens).

In conclusion, GPT-4.1 is more expensive than DeepSeek-R1.*

* Using a 3:1 ratio of input to output tokens

Lowest available price from all providers
Tue Jun 09 2026 • llm-stats.com
DeepSeek
DeepSeek-R1
Input tokens$0.55
Output tokens$2.19
Best providerDeepSeek
OpenAI
GPT-4.1
Input tokens$2.00
Output tokens$8.00
Best providerOpenAI
Notice missing or incorrect data?Start an Issue→

Context Window

Maximum input and output token capacity

GPT-4.1 accepts 1,047,576 input tokens compared to DeepSeek-R1's 131,072 tokens. DeepSeek-R1 can generate longer responses up to 131,072 tokens, while GPT-4.1 is limited to 32,768 tokens.

DeepSeek
DeepSeek-R1
Input131,072 tokens
Output131,072 tokens
OpenAI
GPT-4.1
Input1,047,576 tokens
Output32,768 tokens
Tue Jun 09 2026 • llm-stats.com

Input Capabilities

Supported data types and modalities

GPT-4.1 supports multimodal inputs, whereas DeepSeek-R1 does not.

GPT-4.1 can handle both text and other forms of data like images, making it suitable for multimodal applications.

DeepSeek-R1

Text
Images
Audio
Video

GPT-4.1

Text
Images
Audio
Video

License

Usage and distribution terms

DeepSeek-R1 is licensed under MIT, while GPT-4.1 uses a proprietary license.

License differences may affect how you can use these models in commercial or open-source projects.

DeepSeek-R1

MIT

Open weights

GPT-4.1

Proprietary

Closed source

Release Timeline

When each model was launched

DeepSeek-R1 was released on 2025-01-20, while GPT-4.1 was released on 2025-04-14.

GPT-4.1 is 3 months newer than DeepSeek-R1.

DeepSeek-R1

Jan 20, 2025

1.4 years ago

GPT-4.1

Apr 14, 2025

1.2 years ago

2mo newer

Knowledge Cutoff

When training data ends

GPT-4.1 has a documented knowledge cutoff of 2024-06-01, while DeepSeek-R1's cutoff date is not specified.

We can confirm GPT-4.1's training data extends to 2024-06-01, but cannot make a direct comparison without DeepSeek-R1's cutoff date.

DeepSeek-R1

—

GPT-4.1

Jun 2024

Provider Availability

DeepSeek-R1 is available from DeepSeek, DeepInfra, Together, Fireworks. GPT-4.1 is available from OpenAI.

DeepSeek-R1

deepseek logo
DeepSeek
Input Price:Input: $0.55/1MOutput Price:Output: $2.19/1M
deepinfra logo
Deepinfra
Input Price:Input: $0.85/1MOutput Price:Output: $2.50/1M
together logo
Together
Input Price:Input: $7.00/1MOutput Price:Output: $7.00/1M
fireworks logo
Fireworks
Input Price:Input: $8.00/1MOutput Price:Output: $8.00/1M

GPT-4.1

openai logo
OpenAI
Input Price:Input: $2.00/1MOutput Price:Output: $8.00/1M
* Prices shown are per million tokens

Outputs Comparison

Notice missing or incorrect data?Start an Issue discussion→

Key Takeaways

DeepSeek
Less expensive input tokens
Less expensive output tokens
Has open weights
OpenAI
Larger context window (1,047,576 tokens)
Supports multimodal inputs
DeepSeekDeepSeek-R1
OpenAIGPT-4.1
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Detailed Comparison

AI Model Comparison Table
Feature
DeepSeek
DeepSeek-R1
OpenAI
GPT-4.1

FAQ

Common questions about DeepSeek-R1 vs GPT-4.1.

Which is better, DeepSeek-R1 or GPT-4.1?

DeepSeek-R1 (DeepSeek) and GPT-4.1 (OpenAI) each have strengths in different areas. Compare their benchmark scores, pricing, context windows, and capabilities above to determine which fits your needs.

How does DeepSeek-R1 compare to GPT-4.1 in benchmarks?

GPT-4.1 scores MMLU: 90.2%, CharXiv-D: 87.9%, IFEval: 87.4%, MMMLU: 87.3%, MMMU: 74.8%.

Is DeepSeek-R1 cheaper than GPT-4.1?

DeepSeek-R1 is 3.6x cheaper for input tokens. DeepSeek-R1 costs $0.55/M input and $2.19/M output via deepseek. GPT-4.1 costs $2.00/M input and $8.00/M output via openai.

What are the context window sizes for DeepSeek-R1 and GPT-4.1?

DeepSeek-R1 supports 131K tokens and GPT-4.1 supports 1.0M tokens. A larger context window lets you process longer documents, conversations, or codebases in a single request.

What are the main differences between DeepSeek-R1 and GPT-4.1?

Key differences include context window (131K vs 1.0M), input pricing ($0.55 vs $2.00/M), multimodal support (no vs yes), licensing (MIT vs Proprietary). See the full comparison above for benchmark-by-benchmark results.

Who makes DeepSeek-R1 and GPT-4.1?

DeepSeek-R1 is developed by DeepSeek and GPT-4.1 is developed by OpenAI.

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