A version of Chinese startup DeepSeek’s flagship AI model is by ‌far the least expensive to run on benchmark tests among well-known models globally and more than 100 times cheaper to run than Anthropic’s Claude Fable 5, according to a research firm. DeepSeek, which sources have said is preparing for a potential IPO, officially released its V4-Flash ​model on Friday, its latest attempt to regain momentum by doing what it is best known for – ​offering ultra-low-cost AI alternatives. The startup’s R1 model became a global sensation in early 2025, triggering ⁠a selloff in global technology stocks and raising questions about the large amounts U.S. companies were spending on ​AI. DeepSeek’s V4-Flash charges $0.14 per million input tokens and $0.28 per million output tokens, according to research firm Artificial Analysis. A ​token is a unit of data used to measure AI usage. San Francisco-based Artificial Analysis estimated V4-Flash’s average cost at 3 cents per test, compared with 86 cents for Kimi K3 from Chinese rival Moonshot AI, $1.86 for OpenAI’s GPT-5.6 Sol and $3.15 for Claude Fable 5.

Full report : DeepSeek’s new AI model is by far the cheapest of well-known models to run, research firm says.