Model Comparison

DeepSeek-V3 vs GPT-3.5 TurboWhich is better in 2026?

DeepSeek-V3 significantly outperforms across most benchmarks. DeepSeek-V3 is 1.6x cheaper per token.

Verdict: DeepSeek-V3 vs GPT-3.5 Turbo — which is better?

DeepSeek-V3 (by DeepSeek) and GPT-3.5 Turbo (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.

DeepSeek-V3 outperforms in 3 benchmarks (DROP, GPQA, MMLU), while GPT-3.5 Turbo is better at 0 benchmarks. DeepSeek-V3 significantly outperforms across most benchmarks.

On price, DeepSeek-V3 is roughly 1.6x cheaper per token on a blended 3:1 input/output basis, which adds up quickly at production volume.

DeepSeek-V3 also accepts a larger context window (131,072 input tokens), making it the stronger choice for long documents and large codebases.

Choose DeepSeek-V3 if…

  • you want the strongest raw capability — it leads on 3 of 3 shared benchmarks
  • cost matters — it's about 1.6x cheaper per token
  • you process long inputs — it offers a 131,072 token context window
  • you want the most recent training data — it shipped Dec 2024
  • you need open weights you can self-host or fine-tune

Choose GPT-3.5 Turbo if…

  • you want predictable pricing at $0.50/M input and $1.50/M output
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Performance Benchmarks

Comparative analysis across standard metrics

3 benchmarks

DeepSeek-V3 outperforms in 3 benchmarks (DROP, GPQA, MMLU), while GPT-3.5 Turbo is better at 0 benchmarks.

DeepSeek-V3 significantly outperforms across most benchmarks.

Wed Jun 10 2026 • llm-stats.com

Arena Performance

Human preference votes

Pricing Analysis

Price comparison per million tokens

DeepSeek-V3 costs less

For input processing, DeepSeek-V3 ($0.27/1M tokens) is 1.9x cheaper than GPT-3.5 Turbo ($0.50/1M tokens).

For output processing, DeepSeek-V3 ($1.10/1M tokens) is 1.4x cheaper than GPT-3.5 Turbo ($1.50/1M tokens).

In conclusion, GPT-3.5 Turbo is more expensive than DeepSeek-V3.*

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

Lowest available price from all providers
Wed Jun 10 2026 • llm-stats.com
DeepSeek
DeepSeek-V3
Input tokens$0.27
Output tokens$1.10
Best providerDeepSeek
OpenAI
GPT-3.5 Turbo
Input tokens$0.50
Output tokens$1.50
Best providerAzure
Notice missing or incorrect data?Start an Issue→

Context Window

Maximum input and output token capacity

DeepSeek-V3 accepts 131,072 input tokens compared to GPT-3.5 Turbo's 16,385 tokens. DeepSeek-V3 can generate longer responses up to 131,072 tokens, while GPT-3.5 Turbo is limited to 4,096 tokens.

DeepSeek
DeepSeek-V3
Input131,072 tokens
Output131,072 tokens
OpenAI
GPT-3.5 Turbo
Input16,385 tokens
Output4,096 tokens
Wed Jun 10 2026 • llm-stats.com

License

Usage and distribution terms

DeepSeek-V3 is licensed under MIT + Model License (Commercial use allowed), while GPT-3.5 Turbo uses a proprietary license.

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

DeepSeek-V3

MIT + Model License (Commercial use allowed)

Open weights

GPT-3.5 Turbo

Proprietary

Closed source

Release Timeline

When each model was launched

DeepSeek-V3 was released on 2024-12-25, while GPT-3.5 Turbo was released on 2023-03-21.

DeepSeek-V3 is 22 months newer than GPT-3.5 Turbo.

DeepSeek-V3

Dec 25, 2024

1.5 years ago

1.8yr newer
GPT-3.5 Turbo

Mar 21, 2023

3.2 years ago

Knowledge Cutoff

When training data ends

GPT-3.5 Turbo has a documented knowledge cutoff of 2021-09-30, while DeepSeek-V3's cutoff date is not specified.

We can confirm GPT-3.5 Turbo's training data extends to 2021-09-30, but cannot make a direct comparison without DeepSeek-V3's cutoff date.

DeepSeek-V3

—

GPT-3.5 Turbo

Sep 2021

Provider Availability

DeepSeek-V3 is available from DeepSeek. GPT-3.5 Turbo is available from Azure, OpenAI.

DeepSeek-V3

deepseek logo
DeepSeek
Input Price:Input: $0.27/1MOutput Price:Output: $1.10/1M

GPT-3.5 Turbo

azure logo
Azure
Input Price:Input: $0.50/1MOutput Price:Output: $1.50/1M
openai logo
OpenAI
Input Price:Input: $0.50/1MOutput Price:Output: $1.50/1M
* Prices shown are per million tokens

Outputs Comparison

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Key Takeaways

DeepSeek
Larger context window (131,072 tokens)
Less expensive input tokens
Less expensive output tokens
Has open weights
Higher DROP score (91.6% vs 70.2%)
Higher GPQA score (59.1% vs 30.8%)
Higher MMLU score (88.5% vs 69.8%)
OpenAI

No standout differentiators in the data we have for this pair.

Detailed Comparison

AI Model Comparison Table
Feature
DeepSeek
DeepSeek-V3
OpenAI
GPT-3.5 Turbo

FAQ

Common questions about DeepSeek-V3 vs GPT-3.5 Turbo.

Which is better, DeepSeek-V3 or GPT-3.5 Turbo?

DeepSeek-V3 significantly outperforms across most benchmarks. DeepSeek-V3 is made by DeepSeek and GPT-3.5 Turbo is made by OpenAI. The best choice depends on your use case — compare their benchmark scores, pricing, and capabilities above.

How does DeepSeek-V3 compare to GPT-3.5 Turbo in benchmarks?

DeepSeek-V3 scores DROP: 91.6%, CLUEWSC: 90.9%, MATH-500: 90.2%, MMLU-Redux: 89.1%, MMLU: 88.5%. GPT-3.5 Turbo scores DROP: 70.2%, MMLU: 69.8%, HumanEval: 68.0%, MGSM: 56.3%, MATH: 43.1%.

Is DeepSeek-V3 cheaper than GPT-3.5 Turbo?

DeepSeek-V3 is 1.9x cheaper for input tokens. DeepSeek-V3 costs $0.27/M input and $1.10/M output via deepseek. GPT-3.5 Turbo costs $0.50/M input and $1.50/M output via azure.

What are the context window sizes for DeepSeek-V3 and GPT-3.5 Turbo?

DeepSeek-V3 supports 131K tokens and GPT-3.5 Turbo supports 16K 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 and GPT-3.5 Turbo?

Key differences include context window (131K vs 16K), input pricing ($0.27 vs $0.50/M), licensing (MIT + Model License (Commercial use allowed) vs Proprietary). See the full comparison above for benchmark-by-benchmark results.

Who makes DeepSeek-V3 and GPT-3.5 Turbo?

DeepSeek-V3 is developed by DeepSeek and GPT-3.5 Turbo is developed by OpenAI.

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