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AI Cost Comparison: DeepSeek vs. OpenAI vs. Google Gemini – Which One Fits Your Business Needs?
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become a cornerstone of modern business operations, from customer support to data analysis. However, with so many AI models available, choosing the right one can be challenging—especially when cost is a critical factor. In this blog, we’ll compare three leading AI models—DeepSeek, OpenAI, and Google Gemini—based on their costs, performance, and use cases. We’ll also dive into a real-world example to help you understand how these models can impact your business financially. To make it more relatable for Indian businesses, all costs will be converted to Indian Rupees (INR) using an approximate exchange rate of 1 USD = 83 INR.
Why Cost Matters in AI Adoption
AI models are powerful tools, but their costs can vary significantly. For businesses, especially startups and SMEs, choosing the right AI model isn’t just about performance—it’s about affordability and scalability. A model that’s too expensive can eat into your budget, while a cheaper but less capable model might not deliver the results you need.
To make this comparison meaningful, we’ll use a real-world business example: a customer-chatbot conversation about a new product (e.g., a mobile phone). We’ll calculate the cost of a 5,000-character chat (approximately 1,250 tokens) across different models and analyze which one offers the best value for money.
Cost Comparison: DeepSeek vs. OpenAI vs. Google Gemini
Let’s start with a quick overview of the costs for each model (per 1 million tokens):
Model | Input Cost (INR) | Output Cost (INR) |
DeepSeek-V3 | 11.62 INR | 23.24 INR |
DeepSeek-R1 | 45.65 INR | 181.77 INR |
Google Gemini 1.5 Flash | 3.32 INR | 12.45 INR |
OpenAI o1 | 1,245 INR | 4,980 INR |
Now, let’s break this down further with our example.
Use Case: Customer-Chatbot Conversation
Scenario
A customer is chatting with a chatbot to inquire about a new mobile phone. The conversation involves:
The customer asking about features, pricing, and availability.
The chatbot providing detailed responses, including comparisons with other models.
The total conversation length is 5,000 characters (approximately 1,250 tokens).
Cost Calculation for 1,250 Tokens
1. DeepSeek-V3
Input Cost: 11.62 INR per 1M tokens → 0.0145 INR for 1,250 tokens.
Output Cost: 23.24 INR per 1M tokens → 0.029 INR for 1,250 tokens.
Total Cost: 0.0435 INR per chat.
2. DeepSeek-R1
Input Cost: 45.65 INR per 1M tokens → 0.057 INR for 1,250 tokens.
Output Cost: 181.77 INR per 1M tokens → 0.227 INR for 1,250 tokens.
Total Cost: 0.284 INR per chat.
3. Google Gemini 1.5 Flash
Input Cost: 3.32 INR per 1M tokens → 0.00415 INR for 1,250 tokens.
Output Cost: 12.45 INR per 1M tokens → 0.0156 INR for 1,250 tokens.
Total Cost: 0.01975 INR per chat.
4. OpenAI o1
Input Cost: 1,245 INR per 1M tokens → 1.556 INR for 1,250 tokens.
Output Cost: 4,980 INR per 1M tokens → 6.225 INR for 1,250 tokens.
Total Cost: 7.781 INR per chat.
Cost Comparison Table
Model | Cost per Chat (1,250 Tokens) |
DeepSeek-V3 | 0.0435 INR |
DeepSeek-R1 | 0.284 INR |
Google Gemini 1.5 Flash | 0.01975 INR |
OpenAI o1 | 7.781 INR |
Key Insights from the Use Case
DeepSeek-V3 is extremely cost-effective, costing just 0.0435 INR per chat. This makes it ideal for businesses handling high volumes of customer interactions.
Google Gemini 1.5 Flash is the cheapest option at 0.01975 INR per chat, but it’s optimized for speed and real-time tasks, which may not suit all use cases.
OpenAI o1 is the most expensive, costing 7.781 INR per chat—nearly 200 times more than DeepSeek-V3 and 400 times more than Gemini 1.5 Flash.
Business Implications
1. High-Volume Customer Support
If your business handles thousands of customer chats daily, the cost difference between models becomes significant. For example:
10,000 chats/day:
DeepSeek-V3: 435 INR/day.
OpenAI o1: 77,810 INR/day.
Over a month, OpenAI would cost 2,334,300 INR, while DeepSeek-V3 would cost just 13,050 INR. That’s a massive savings of 2,321,250 INR!
2. Startups and SMEs
For startups and small businesses, DeepSeek-V3 and Google Gemini 1.5 Flash are the most viable options due to their low costs. OpenAI’s pricing may be prohibitive for smaller budgets.
3. Multimodal Needs
If your business requires multimodal capabilities (e.g., processing images, videos, or voice), Google Gemini 1.5 Flash is a better choice despite being slightly more expensive than DeepSeek-V3.
Performance and Use Cases
DeepSeek-V3
Strengths: Math, reasoning, coding, and cost-efficiency.
Best For: Customer support, technical assistance, and data analysis.
Google Gemini 1.5 Flash
Strengths: Speed, real-time tasks, and multimodal capabilities.
Best For: Real-time chat, translation, and multimedia processing.
OpenAI o1
Strengths: Advanced reasoning and large-scale enterprise solutions.
Best For: Businesses with deep pockets and complex AI needs.
Conclusion: Which Model Should You Choose?
DeepSeek-V3: The best overall choice for businesses looking for high performance at a low cost.
Google Gemini 1.5 Flash: Ideal for real-time, multimodal tasks where speed is critical.
OpenAI o1: Only recommended if you need its unique features and have the budget to support it.
For most businesses, DeepSeek-V3 offers the perfect balance of affordability and performance, making it the top choice for scaling AI-driven operations without breaking the bank.
Final Thoughts
AI is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity for businesses to stay competitive. However, the key to successful AI adoption lies in choosing the right model that aligns with your business goals and budget. By understanding the costs and capabilities of models like DeepSeek, OpenAI, and Google Gemini, you can make an informed decision that drives growth and efficiency.
What’s your take on AI costs? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Swapnil Jain
CEO-ORAI Robotics
Stay in contact with ORAI