🧐 The Complete Guide to DeepSeek R1: What It Is, How It Works, and Why It Matters

Introduction

Ten days. That’s all it took for DeepSeek R1 to go from an unknown AI model to the #1 app on the App Store. It’s everywhere—people can’t stop talking about it, and even Sam Altman seems nervous.

Some say it’s the biggest AI breakthrough since ChatGPT. Others think it’s just another overhyped model that’ll fade away. But here’s the real question: Is DeepSeek R1 actually better than ChatGPT?

I’ve spent hours testing it, breaking it, and figuring out what makes it different. This isn’t just another “new AI model” moment—this is a fundamental shift in how AI thinks and reasons.

Here’s what you’ll find in this article:

• What DeepSeek R1 actually is.

• How it learns differently from ChatGPT (and why that matters).

• How to run DeepSeek R1 on your own computer for free.

• Why it’s 27x cheaper than OpenAI’s models—and what that means for the AI industry.

• How to combine it with Perplexity AI for real-time insights (yes, it’s as powerful as it sounds).

If you’ve ever wondered whether there’s a real alternative to ChatGPT, this might be it. Or maybe not. Let’s find out.

I. What is DeepSeek R1?

AI models pop up every day. Most disappear just as fast. DeepSeek R1 didn’t.

It’s not just another chatbot—it’s a reasoning model built to think before it speaks. That’s a big deal. Instead of guessing the best response based on patterns (like ChatGPT), DeepSeek R1 figures things out on its own. It makes mistakes, corrects itself, and gets better—kind of like how people learn.

That’s because it uses reinforcement learning instead of the usual supervised fine-tuning. ChatGPT was trained on massive amounts of labeled data—it sees a question, matches it to similar ones, and spits out an answer. DeepSeek R1, on the other hand, teaches itself through trial and error.

Think of it this way:

• ChatGPT is like a student who memorized every answer before an exam.

• DeepSeek R1 is the kid who learned how to solve problems from scratch.

That’s why DeepSeek vs ChatGPT isn’t just a model comparison—it’s a battle between two ways of thinking. One is fast and confident, but often wrong. The other takes its time, questions itself, and aims to be right.

So, does that actually make DeepSeek better? That depends. But if you care about AI that actually reasons through problems, you might want to keep reading.

II. How DeepSeek R1 Actually Works

Most AI models spit out answers like they’re reading from a script. DeepSeek R1 doesn’t.

It thinks before it responds. It questions itself before settling on an answer. And it’s because DeepSeek R1 learns the way humans do—not by memorizing patterns but by figuring things out through trial and error.

This is what makes DeepSeek vs ChatGPT an actual debate. ChatGPT was trained on labeled data, meaning it pulls from existing information to predict what sounds right. It’s like a student who memorized all the answers before a test. Fast, sure—but not always right.

DeepSeek R1, on the other hand, learns through reinforcement learning. It’s more like:

• A baby learning to walk, falling, adjusting, trying again.

• A self-driving car getting better at avoiding accidents.

• A robot figuring out how to pick up objects by trial and error.

That’s why DeepSeek R1 does something most AI models don’t—it checks its own work. When you ask it a question, it:

1. Thinks through the problem step by step.

2. Reevaluates its answer, looking for mistakes.

3. Adjusts and improves before giving you a final response.

This isn’t just a technical difference. It means DeepSeek vs ChatGPT isn’t just about speed or fluency—it’s about whether you want an AI that actually reasons or one that just predicts what sounds right.

And honestly? If you’re using AI for math, coding, or logic-heavy tasks, you might not want a model that just sounds confident. You want one that actually thinks.

III. Why DeepSeek R1 is Better Than ChatGPT

People love to argue about AI models like they’re choosing between Apple and Android. DeepSeek vs ChatGPT is no different. But this one actually matters.

Because DeepSeek R1? It’s free.

Yeah, OpenAI’s GPT-4 Turbo is great, but it comes with a $20/month price tag. DeepSeek R1? Same level of intelligence, but you don’t pay a cent. And for developers? Its API costs 27 times less than OpenAI’s. If that doesn’t make companies rethink their budget, I don’t know what will.

But price isn’t the only reason people are excited. DeepSeek R1 shows you how it thinks. ChatGPT gives you answers, but it doesn’t tell you why. DeepSeek R1 breaks down its logic step by step—whether it’s a math problem, a coding challenge, or a reasoning task. You don’t just get an answer—you learn the process.

And then there’s the open-source advantage. ChatGPT lives in OpenAI’s cloud. DeepSeek R1? You can run it on your own computer, offline, no restrictions. That means more control, better privacy, and the ability to customize it however you want.

Another reason DeepSeek R1 feels different? It doesn’t need perfectly crafted prompts. If you’ve ever written a ChatGPT prompt that’s practically an essay just to get the right answer, you know the struggle. DeepSeek R1 self-corrects, rethinks, and optimizes its response—so even if you give it a vague question, it still figures things out.

So yeah, DeepSeek vs ChatGPT isn’t just about preference. It’s about whether you want to pay more for a model that hides its thought process—or use a free one that actually reasons through problems.

IV. Limitations of DeepSeek R1

For all the hype, DeepSeek R1 isn’t perfect. And honestly? Neither is ChatGPT. But if we’re comparing the two, we have to talk about where DeepSeek R1 falls short.

1. Data Privacy: Where’s Your Info Going?

If you’re worried about where your data is stored, DeepSeek vs ChatGPT has a clear winner—and it’s not DeepSeek.

• ChatGPT runs on OpenAI’s US-based servers.

• DeepSeek R1? All user data is stored in China.

That might not mean much to some people, but if you’re in the US or Europe, data privacy laws don’t exactly favor storing information in China. Whether that’s a dealbreaker is up to you.

2. Weak at Creative Writing

DeepSeek R1 can explain calculus, debug your code, and analyze logic problems. But if you ask it to write a compelling story? You’re better off with ChatGPT.

• It struggles with fiction, poetry, and natural storytelling.

• Responses feel robotic, even when you ask it to sound “human.”

• If you’re using AI for writing, DeepSeek vs ChatGPT isn’t even a debate—ChatGPT wins.

3. Censorship: What It Won’t Talk About

This is where things get frustrating. DeepSeek R1 is smart, fast, and free—but only when you’re asking the “right” questions.

• Anything political? It dodges the question.

• Anything about China’s government? It refuses to answer.

• Run it locally, and you get more freedom—but the chatbot version heavily censors responses.

ChatGPT isn’t perfect either, but at least it doesn’t flat-out refuse to discuss major topics. So if you’re looking for an AI that won’t filter certain conversations, this might be a dealbreaker.

DeepSeek R1 outshines ChatGPT in reasoning and cost-efficiency. But if you care about privacy, creative writing, or uncensored discussions, it has some serious flaws.

So, DeepSeek vs ChatGPT? Depends on what you need.

V. How to Use DeepSeek R1 (Step-by-Step)

You don’t need a PhD in AI to start using DeepSeek R1. If you’ve ever used ChatGPT, the process is pretty much the same—but cheaper, and with a few extra steps.

1. Using DeepSeek R1 Online

If you’re looking for a ChatGPT alternative that’s free, this is the easiest way to get started.

• Go to chat.deepseek.com.

  

• Create an account (or just sign in with Google).

• Enable the DeepSeek R1 reasoning model.

• (Optional) Turn on real-time web search for up-to-date answers.

• Start asking questions.

DeepSeek R1 works best for math, coding, science, and logic—not for creative writing. So if you're looking for a reasoning-heavy chatbot, this is the one.

2. Example Use Cases

Here’s what you can do with it:

• Math Problem: Ask for the derivative of 1/x → It doesn’t just give the answer—it shows multiple methods to solve it.

• Coding Task: “Build a space arcade game in Python” → Writes a step-by-step working code.

Basically, DeepSeek vs ChatGPT comes down to logic vs language. If you want reasoning, go for DeepSeek. If you need polished writing, stick to ChatGPT.

VI. Running DeepSeek R1 Locally (Offline)

Want full control over your AI model? No subscriptions, no internet required, and no data leaks. If you’re tired of cloud-based AI, DeepSeek R1 lets you run a powerful reasoning model right on your own device.

1. Install the Olama Framework

Before anything else, you need Olama—the software that makes running AI models locally possible.

• Go to olama.com and download Olama.

• Works on Mac, Windows, and Linux.

  

• Install it like any regular app.

  

2. Download DeepSeek R1 Models

DeepSeek R1 comes in different sizes, depending on how much power you need (and how much storage you have).

• Full model: 404GB (not for normal computers—this is for AI labs).

• 1.5B model (1.1GB): Runs on a Raspberry Pi (yes, even a tiny computer can handle it).

• 8B model (4.9GB): The best option for most personal computers.

3. Run DeepSeek R1 on Your Computer

Once the model is downloaded, open Terminal (Mac/Linux) or Command Prompt (Windows) and type:

olama run deepseek-r1-8b

That’s it. You now have a fully offline AI running on your own device. No internet required. No data sent to random servers.

So DeepSeek vs ChatGPT? If you want a chatbot that thinks instead of memorizing, DeepSeek R1 is the way to go. And if you care about privacy, offline access, and cost savings, then it’s not even a debate.

VII. Using DeepSeek R1 with Perplexity AI (The Ultimate Upgrade)

DeepSeek R1 is already smart. But DeepSeek R1 + Perplexity AI? That’s next-level thinking.

While ChatGPT gives pre-2023 answers, DeepSeek R1 with Perplexity thinks in real-time.

1. What is Perplexity AI?

It’s Google if Google actually gave you straight answers.

• Finds and summarizes live data (so no more outdated info).

• Uses DeepSeek R1’s reasoning to analyze the results.

• Stores data in the US (solving DeepSeek’s privacy concerns).

Basically, it researches, thinks, and explains—while ChatGPT just predicts words.

2. How to Use DeepSeek R1 with Perplexity AI

It takes three clicks.

1. Go to perplexity.ai.

2. Select "Reasoning with R1".

   

3. Ask a real-time question.

Example Prompts:

• “Latest AI trends + best AI business ideas for 2025.” (It reads the internet and summarizes it for you.)

  

• “Trending freelancing skills + 10 viral Instagram reel ideas.” (Analyzes what’s getting engagement online.)

  

• “Break down Nvidia’s stock movement this week.” (Finds and explains real-time market trends.)

The Catch?

• Free users get 3 DeepSeek R1 searches per day.

• Pro plan ($20/month) = 500 searches per day.

So in the DeepSeek vs ChatGPT debate, ask yourself:

Do you want AI that thinks and researches in real-time?

Or do you want AI stuck in last year’s data?

Conclusion

So, here we are. DeepSeek R1 vs ChatGPT. One is open-source, free, and 27x cheaper. The other? A polished, mainstream AI that costs $20 a month.

DeepSeek R1 has its flaws—privacy concerns, censorship, and weaker creative writing. But it also thinks out loud, runs offline, and automates work in ways ChatGPT simply doesn’t.

And with Perplexity AI, some of its biggest downsides disappear.

But this is just the start. DeepSeek R1’s open-source community is growing, and we’re likely to see lighter, faster models in the future. There’s even hope that its privacy issues could be solved if hosting expands beyond China.

If you want an AI that writes like a human, ChatGPT is still the default choice.

But if you want an AI that thinks, automates, and works like an actual assistant? DeepSeek R1 is the one worth watching.

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