Model Comparison

DeepSeek-V3 vs Qwen3 Max

Qwen3 Max significantly outperforms across most benchmarks. DeepSeek-V3 is 3.4x cheaper per token.

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Performance Benchmarks

Comparative analysis across standard metrics

2 benchmarks

DeepSeek-V3 outperforms in 0 benchmarks, while Qwen3 Max is better at 2 benchmarks (GPQA, SWE-Bench Verified).

Qwen3 Max significantly outperforms across most benchmarks.

Tue May 05 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 Qwen3 Max ($0.50/1M tokens).

For output processing, DeepSeek-V3 ($1.10/1M tokens) is 4.5x cheaper than Qwen3 Max ($5.00/1M tokens).

In conclusion, Qwen3 Max is more expensive than DeepSeek-V3.*

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

Lowest available price from all providers

Tue May 05 2026 • llm-stats.com

DeepSeek-V3

Input tokens$0.27

Output tokens$1.10

Best providerDeepSeek

Qwen3 Max

Input tokens$0.50

Output tokens$5.00

Best providerNovita

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Model Size

Parameter count comparison

329.0B diff

Qwen3 Max has 329.0B more parameters than DeepSeek-V3, making it 49.0% larger.

DeepSeek-V3

671.0Bparameters

Qwen3 Max

1.0Tparameters

671.0B

DeepSeek-V3

1000.0B

Qwen3 Max

Context Window

Maximum input and output token capacity

Qwen3 Max accepts 256,000 input tokens compared to DeepSeek-V3's 131,072 tokens. Both models can generate responses up to 131,072 tokens.

DeepSeek-V3

Input131,072 tokens

Output131,072 tokens

Qwen3 Max

Input256,000 tokens

Output131,072 tokens

Tue May 05 2026 • llm-stats.com

License

Usage and distribution terms

DeepSeek-V3 is licensed under MIT + Model License (Commercial use allowed), while Qwen3 Max 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

Qwen3 Max

Proprietary

Closed source

Release Timeline

When each model was launched

DeepSeek-V3 was released on 2024-12-25, while Qwen3 Max was released on 2025-12-15.

Qwen3 Max is 12 months newer than DeepSeek-V3.

DeepSeek-V3

Dec 25, 2024

1.4 years ago

Qwen3 Max

Dec 15, 2025

4 months ago

11mo 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 is available from DeepSeek. Qwen3 Max is available from Novita.

DeepSeek-V3

DeepSeek

Input Price:Input: $0.27/1MOutput Price:Output: $1.10/1M

Qwen3 Max

Novita

Input Price:Input: $0.50/1MOutput Price:Output: $5.00/1M

* Prices shown are per million tokens

Outputs Comparison

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Key Takeaways

DeepSeek-V3

View details

DeepSeek

Less expensive input tokens

Less expensive output tokens

Has open weights

Qwen3 Max

View details

Alibaba Cloud / Qwen Team

Larger context window (256,000 tokens)

Higher GPQA score (62.0% vs 59.1%)

Higher SWE-Bench Verified score (69.6% vs 42.0%)

Detailed Comparison

AI Model Comparison Table
Feature	DeepSeek-V3	Qwen3 Max

FAQ

Common questions about DeepSeek-V3 vs Qwen3 Max.

Which is better, DeepSeek-V3 or Qwen3 Max?

Qwen3 Max significantly outperforms across most benchmarks. DeepSeek-V3 is made by DeepSeek and Qwen3 Max is made by Alibaba Cloud / Qwen Team. The best choice depends on your use case — compare their benchmark scores, pricing, and capabilities above.

How does DeepSeek-V3 compare to Qwen3 Max in benchmarks?

DeepSeek-V3 scores DROP: 91.6%, CLUEWSC: 90.9%, MATH-500: 90.2%, MMLU-Redux: 89.1%, MMLU: 88.5%. Qwen3 Max scores AIME 2025: 81.6%, t2-bench: 74.8%, SWE-Bench Verified: 69.6%, LiveCodeBench v6: 69.0%, SuperGPQA: 65.1%.

Is DeepSeek-V3 cheaper than Qwen3 Max?

DeepSeek-V3 is 1.9x cheaper for input tokens. DeepSeek-V3 costs $0.27/M input and $1.10/M output via deepseek. Qwen3 Max costs $0.50/M input and $5.00/M output via novita.

What are the context window sizes for DeepSeek-V3 and Qwen3 Max?

DeepSeek-V3 supports 131K tokens and Qwen3 Max supports 256K 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 Qwen3 Max?

Key differences include context window (131K vs 256K), 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 Qwen3 Max?

DeepSeek-V3 is developed by DeepSeek and Qwen3 Max is developed by Alibaba Cloud / Qwen Team.