DeepSeek R1 vs DeepSeek V4-Flash
Detailed pricing comparison and cost analysis.
Updated April 2026
Cost Simulator
| Feature | DeepSeek R1 | DeepSeek V4-Flash |
|---|---|---|
| Provider | DeepSeek | DeepSeek |
| Input Price (1M) | $0.28 | $0.14 |
| Output Price (1M) | $0.42 | $0.28 |
| Context Window | 64,000 | 1,000,000 |
Verdict
DeepSeek R1 costs $0.28 per 1M input tokens and $0.42 per 1M output tokens. DeepSeek V4-Flash costs $0.14 per 1M input tokens and $0.28 per 1M output tokens. DeepSeek V4-Flash is 50% cheaper on input tokens than DeepSeek R1. For output tokens, DeepSeek V4-Flash is the more affordable option at $0.28/1M vs $0.42.
On context window, DeepSeek V4-Flash supports 1,000,000 tokens — meaning it can fit more conversation history, documents, or code in a single request. This matters for RAG pipelines, long document analysis, and agentic workflows where context builds up over many turns.
When to choose DeepSeek R1
- ✓ You are already integrated with DeepSeek
When to choose DeepSeek V4-Flash
- ✓ You need the lowest input token cost ($ 0.14/1M)
- ✓ Your workload is output-heavy — DeepSeek V4-Flash generates text cheaper
- ✓ You need a larger context window (1,000,000 tokens)
- ✓ You are already integrated with DeepSeek
Use the calculator above to simulate your specific workload and find the exact break-even point. For most applications, the cheapest model is the one that minimises your total monthly bill given your input-to-output token ratio.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is DeepSeek R1 cheaper than DeepSeek V4-Flash? ▼
DeepSeek V4-Flash is cheaper on input tokens at $0.14/1M vs $0.28/1M for DeepSeek R1 — a 50% saving.
What is the context window of DeepSeek R1 vs DeepSeek V4-Flash? ▼
DeepSeek R1 has a 64,000-token context window. DeepSeek V4-Flash has a 1,000,000-token context window. DeepSeek V4-Flash supports the larger context, suitable for longer documents and agentic workflows.
Which model is better: DeepSeek R1 or DeepSeek V4-Flash? ▼
The best choice depends on your use case. For cost efficiency on input tokens, DeepSeek V4-Flash is the cheaper option. For maximum context length, DeepSeek V4-Flash supports 1,000,000 tokens. Use the comparison table above to find the right fit for your workload.