What is DeepSeek API?
The DeepSeek API gives developers access to DeepSeek models through an API format compatible with OpenAI and Anthropic. By changing the base URL and API key in an existing configuration, you can use the official OpenAI or Anthropic SDKs, or any software that supports those API formats, with DeepSeek as the backend.
The documentation shows a chat completions example using the model name deepseek-flash, with optional thinking mode and a reasoning effort setting. Requests can be made with curl, Python, or Node.js, and streaming responses can be enabled. The API is also supported by agent and coding assistant tools such as Claude Code, GitHub Copilot, and OpenCode, which can use DeepSeek as the backend model without writing code.
Key features
- OpenAI-compatible API format
- Anthropic-compatible API endpoint
- Chat completions with streaming
- Optional thinking mode with reasoning effort setting
- Use with agent and coding assistant tools
Who is it for
- Software developers
- AI agent developers
- Teams integrating LLMs into applications
Pros and cons
- Works with existing OpenAI and Anthropic SDKs by changing configuration
- Supported by many popular agent and coding tools
- Pricing details are not shown in the provided text
DeepSeek API pricing
The vendor does not publish prices in a readable form (often pricing is shown only after signing in).
Is DeepSeek API free?
The vendor does not state this clearly on the homepage or pricing page.
DeepSeek API alternatives
| Tool | Price from | Free plan | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
 OpenAI Platform | 0,10 USD | ? | APIs & models |
 xAI API | 0.002 USD | trial | APIs & models |
 Cerebras | 5 USD | trial | APIs & models |
 Blackbox AI | not listed | ? | APIs & models |
 Cline | not listed | yes | APIs & models |
 OpenRouter | not listed | yes | APIs & models |
All alternatives to DeepSeek API →
FAQ
What is DeepSeek API used for?
API for accessing DeepSeek language models via OpenAI- or Anthropic-compatible endpoints, for developers and agent tool users.
Is DeepSeek API free?
The vendor does not state this clearly on the homepage or pricing page.
How much does DeepSeek API cost?
The vendor does not publish prices publicly or requires sign-in.
What are the best DeepSeek API alternatives?
Closest alternatives: OpenAI Platform, xAI API, Cerebras, Blackbox AI, Cline.
Data checked October 12, 2026 on the vendor website (api-docs.deepseek.com).