Model Comparison

DeepSeek-V3 0324 vs DeepSeek-R1-0528Which is better in 2026?

DeepSeek-R1-0528 significantly outperforms across most benchmarks. DeepSeek-V3 0324 is 1.8x cheaper per token.

Verdict: DeepSeek-V3 0324 vs DeepSeek-R1-0528 — which is better?

DeepSeek-V3 0324 (by DeepSeek) and DeepSeek-R1-0528 (by DeepSeek) 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.

DeepSeek-V3 0324 outperforms in 0 benchmarks, while DeepSeek-R1-0528 is better at 4 benchmarks (AIME 2024, GPQA, LiveCodeBench, MMLU-Pro). DeepSeek-R1-0528 significantly outperforms across most benchmarks.

On price, DeepSeek-V3 0324 is roughly 1.8x cheaper per token on a blended 3:1 input/output basis, which adds up quickly at production volume.

DeepSeek-V3 0324 also accepts a larger context window (163,840 input tokens), making it the stronger choice for long documents and large codebases.

Choose DeepSeek-V3 0324 if…

  • cost matters — it's about 1.8x cheaper per token
  • you process long inputs — it offers a 163,840 token context window

Choose DeepSeek-R1-0528 if…

  • you want the strongest raw capability — it leads on 4 of 4 shared benchmarks
  • you want the most recent training data — it shipped May 2025
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Performance Benchmarks

Comparative analysis across standard metrics

4 benchmarks

DeepSeek-V3 0324 outperforms in 0 benchmarks, while DeepSeek-R1-0528 is better at 4 benchmarks (AIME 2024, GPQA, LiveCodeBench, MMLU-Pro).

DeepSeek-R1-0528 significantly outperforms across most benchmarks.

Thu Jun 25 2026 • llm-stats.com

Arena Performance

Human preference votes

Pricing Analysis

Price comparison per million tokens

DeepSeek-V3 0324 costs less

For input processing, DeepSeek-V3 0324 ($0.28/1M tokens) is 1.8x cheaper than DeepSeek-R1-0528 ($0.50/1M tokens).

For output processing, DeepSeek-V3 0324 ($1.14/1M tokens) is 1.9x cheaper than DeepSeek-R1-0528 ($2.15/1M tokens).

In conclusion, DeepSeek-R1-0528 is more expensive than DeepSeek-V3 0324.*

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

Lowest available price from all providers
Thu Jun 25 2026 • llm-stats.com
DeepSeek
DeepSeek-V3 0324
Input tokens$0.28
Output tokens$1.14
Best providerNovita
DeepSeek
DeepSeek-R1-0528
Input tokens$0.50
Output tokens$2.15
Best providerDeepinfra
Notice missing or incorrect data?Start an Issue→

Model Size

Parameter count comparison

0.0M diff

DeepSeek-R1-0528 has 0.0B more parameters than DeepSeek-V3 0324, making it 0.0% larger.

DeepSeek
DeepSeek-V3 0324
671.0Bparameters
DeepSeek
DeepSeek-R1-0528
671.0Bparameters
671.0B
DeepSeek-V3 0324
671.0B
DeepSeek-R1-0528

Context Window

Maximum input and output token capacity

DeepSeek-V3 0324 accepts 163,840 input tokens compared to DeepSeek-R1-0528's 131,072 tokens. DeepSeek-V3 0324 can generate longer responses up to 163,840 tokens, while DeepSeek-R1-0528 is limited to 131,072 tokens.

DeepSeek
DeepSeek-V3 0324
Input163,840 tokens
Output163,840 tokens
DeepSeek
DeepSeek-R1-0528
Input131,072 tokens
Output131,072 tokens
Thu Jun 25 2026 • llm-stats.com

License

Usage and distribution terms

DeepSeek-V3 0324 is licensed under MIT + Model License (Commercial use allowed), while DeepSeek-R1-0528 uses MIT.

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

DeepSeek-V3 0324

MIT + Model License (Commercial use allowed)

Open weights

DeepSeek-R1-0528

MIT

Open weights

Release Timeline

When each model was launched

DeepSeek-V3 0324 was released on 2025-03-25, while DeepSeek-R1-0528 was released on 2025-05-28.

DeepSeek-R1-0528 is 2 months newer than DeepSeek-V3 0324.

DeepSeek-V3 0324

Mar 25, 2025

1.3 years ago

DeepSeek-R1-0528

May 28, 2025

1.1 years ago

2mo newer

Knowledge Cutoff

When training data ends

Neither model specifies a knowledge cutoff date.

Unable to compare the recency of their training data.

No cutoff dates available

Provider Availability

DeepSeek-V3 0324 is available from Novita. DeepSeek-R1-0528 is available from DeepInfra, DeepSeek, Novita.

DeepSeek-V3 0324

novita logo
Novita
Input Price:Input: $0.28/1MOutput Price:Output: $1.14/1M

DeepSeek-R1-0528

deepinfra logo
Deepinfra
Input Price:Input: $0.50/1MOutput Price:Output: $2.15/1M
deepseek logo
DeepSeek
Input Price:Input: $0.55/1MOutput Price:Output: $2.19/1M
novita logo
Novita
Input Price:Input: $0.70/1MOutput Price:Output: $2.50/1M
* Prices shown are per million tokens

Outputs Comparison

Notice missing or incorrect data?Start an Issue discussion→

Key Takeaways

DeepSeek
Larger context window (163,840 tokens)
Less expensive input tokens
Less expensive output tokens
DeepSeek
Higher AIME 2024 score (91.4% vs 59.4%)
Higher GPQA score (81.0% vs 68.4%)
Higher LiveCodeBench score (73.3% vs 49.2%)
Higher MMLU-Pro score (85.0% vs 81.2%)

Detailed Comparison

AI Model Comparison Table
Feature
DeepSeek
DeepSeek-V3 0324
DeepSeek
DeepSeek-R1-0528

FAQ

Common questions about DeepSeek-V3 0324 vs DeepSeek-R1-0528.

Which is better, DeepSeek-V3 0324 or DeepSeek-R1-0528?

DeepSeek-R1-0528 significantly outperforms across most benchmarks. DeepSeek-V3 0324 is made by DeepSeek and DeepSeek-R1-0528 is made by DeepSeek. The best choice depends on your use case — compare their benchmark scores, pricing, and capabilities above.

How does DeepSeek-V3 0324 compare to DeepSeek-R1-0528 in benchmarks?

DeepSeek-V3 0324 scores MATH-500: 94.0%, MMLU-Pro: 81.2%, GPQA: 68.4%, AIME 2024: 59.4%, LiveCodeBench: 49.2%. DeepSeek-R1-0528 scores MMLU-Redux: 93.4%, SimpleQA: 92.3%, AIME 2024: 91.4%, AIME 2025: 87.5%, MMLU-Pro: 85.0%.

Is DeepSeek-V3 0324 cheaper than DeepSeek-R1-0528?

DeepSeek-V3 0324 is 1.8x cheaper for input tokens. DeepSeek-V3 0324 costs $0.28/M input and $1.14/M output via novita. DeepSeek-R1-0528 costs $0.50/M input and $2.15/M output via deepinfra.

What are the context window sizes for DeepSeek-V3 0324 and DeepSeek-R1-0528?

DeepSeek-V3 0324 supports 164K tokens and DeepSeek-R1-0528 supports 131K tokens. A larger context window lets you process longer documents, conversations, or codebases in a single request.

What are the main differences between DeepSeek-V3 0324 and DeepSeek-R1-0528?

Key differences include context window (164K vs 131K), input pricing ($0.28 vs $0.50/M), licensing (MIT + Model License (Commercial use allowed) vs MIT). See the full comparison above for benchmark-by-benchmark results.

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