DeepSeek is a Chinese AI company whose free chatbot became one of the most downloaded apps in the world. It’s known for strong reasoning and coding skills at a very low cost. But it has also been banned on government devices in several countries because of privacy concerns.
Here’s what DeepSeek is, what it does well, and what you should know about safety before you use it.
Quick Verdict
- Best for: Free reasoning, math and coding help on non-sensitive topics.
- Avoid it for: Anything personal, work-related, financial or confidential, because your data is stored in China.
- Is it free? Yes. The chatbot on the web and in the app is free to use.
What Is DeepSeek?
DeepSeek is an AI assistant made by a company based in Hangzhou, China. It works like ChatGPT: you type a question and it writes an answer. It’s available at chat.deepseek.com and as an app for iPhone and Android.
DeepSeek gained attention because its models performed close to leading Western AI models while reportedly costing far less to build. The company also releases many of its models as “open weights,” which means other companies can download and run them on their own servers.
Note: These details come from the company’s own announcements and have not been independently verified by Next DigiTech.
What DeepSeek Does Well
- Reasoning: Its “thinking” mode works through math and logic problems step by step.
- Coding: Strong at writing and explaining code.
- Free access: No subscription needed for the chatbot.
- Open models: Developers can run its models on their own computers or cloud providers.
Is DeepSeek Safe to Use?
This is the most important question, and the honest answer is: it depends on what you share.
- Data stored in China: DeepSeek’s own privacy policy says it collects, processes and stores personal data in the People’s Republic of China, where companies can be required to share data with authorities.
- What it collects: According to its privacy policy and security researchers, this can include your chats, uploaded files, device information and typing patterns.
- Government bans: Australia, Taiwan and several US federal agencies and states have banned DeepSeek on government devices, and Italy blocked the app over privacy concerns.
- Censorship: The hosted chatbot may refuse or limit answers on topics that are sensitive in China.
For casual questions about public information, the risk is lower. For anything personal or work-related, it’s best to use another assistant.
Note: Features and policies may vary by plan, region and app version, and can change at any time. Check the official help center for the latest information.
How to Use DeepSeek More Safely
- Don’t sign in with your main Google or Apple account if you can avoid it, and use a separate email.
- Never share personal details, passwords, financial data, health information or work documents.
- Use the web version instead of installing the app if you’re concerned about device data.
- Delete your chat history regularly in settings.
- Follow your employer’s rules. Many companies and schools block it.
- Consider US or EU-hosted versions: Some Western AI platforms run DeepSeek’s open models on their own servers, so your data doesn’t go to China.
Our guide to sharing personal info with AI chatbots covers more general safety habits.
DeepSeek Pricing
The DeepSeek chatbot on the web and in the app is free. Developers who use its API pay per use, at prices that are generally lower than many competitors. Check DeepSeek’s website for current API rates.
DeepSeek vs ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini
DeepSeek is competitive for reasoning and coding, and it’s free. ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini also have free plans, are based in the US, and offer more features like file handling, image tools and app integrations, with clearer privacy controls for US, UK and Australian users. Compare the big three in ChatGPT vs Gemini vs Claude.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is DeepSeek free?
Yes. The chatbot is free on the web and in the mobile app. Developers pay for API usage.
Is DeepSeek banned in the US?
It’s not banned for the general public, but several federal agencies and US states have banned it on government devices. Rules can change, so check current news.
Does DeepSeek send data to China?
Its privacy policy states that personal data is stored and processed in China.
Is DeepSeek better than ChatGPT?
It’s competitive on reasoning and coding tasks, but ChatGPT offers more features and US-based data handling. The better choice depends on your task and privacy needs.
Can I use DeepSeek without the app?
Yes. You can use it in a web browser at chat.deepseek.com, or access its open models through other platforms.
The Bottom Line
DeepSeek is a capable, free AI assistant, especially for math and coding. But because your data is stored in China, keep it to non-sensitive questions, or use a US-based assistant for anything personal or work-related. Explore safer alternatives in our AI tools directory.
Related Guides
- How to Stop ChatGPT, Gemini and Claude From Training on Your Chats
- What Is ChatGPT? How It Works, Pricing and How to Use It (2026 Guide)
- What Is Grok AI? Features, Pricing and Is It Free? (2026)
- Is This App Safe? 8 Checks to Do Before You Download Any New App
Explore more in our Online Safety and Privacy hub.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is based on details available at the time of writing. Prices, plans, features, release dates, policies and availability can change at any time and may vary by country. Please verify the latest information on the official website of the company or product mentioned before making any decision or purchase. This is not medical, financial, legal or security advice; consult a qualified professional for your situation. Next DigiTech is an independent website and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the companies mentioned; all trademarks belong to their respective owners. We are not responsible for any loss or decisions made based on this content.
