DeepSeek vs ChatGPT: Which Tool is Best for Content Creation?

AI tools are popping up everywhere, sparking fierce competition and endless debates. You might have even asked yourself: Should I use AI at all? And if so, which one: DeepSeek vs. ChatGPT? 

While there’s some fear that AI could take creatives’ jobs, let’s now focus on how these tools can actually make you more efficient as a creator. The two chatbots at the center of the current debate are: OpenAI’s ChatGPT and DeepSeek. How do they stack up for content creation, and what’s the real appeal for creators? Let’s dive into the pros and cons of each. 

What is DeepSeek?

Before we dive into the comparison, let’s take a look at the key facts about this rising AI star.

DeepSeek is a Chinese AI start-up founded just two years ago that has quickly gained global attention for taking on ChatGPT with its similar AI chatbot. While tech rivalries between the US and China are nothing new, what makes this story stand out is that Deepseek’s chatbot doesn’t come from Chinese tech giants like Baidu, Alibaba, or Xiaomi.

The founder, Liang Wenfeng, is a 40-year-old entrepreneur from South China. He began his career in finance, and in 2015, he launched High-Flyer Capital, a hedge fund that initially used AI models for investment decisions. By 2023, the company shifted its focus entirely to developing DeepSeek.

In January 2025, DeepSeek released its first model, R1.

What is ChatGPT?

Just a little earlier, ChatGPT has taken the world by storm since its debut in 2022.

Created by OpenAI, it’s an advanced AI language model designed to generate human-like text based on the prompts you give it. Based on the quality of the prompts, ChatGPT responds with text that feels natural and engaging.

Built on OpenAI’s GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer) architecture, ChatGPT has been trained on a wide range of text data – from books to articles to websites – allowing it to understand and respond in human language.

Here’s a quick look at the key models behind it:

• GPT-3.5 (2022): This version made conversations feel more fluid and precise.
• GPT-4 (2023): The latest model, GPT-4, has improved reasoning and accuracy. It’s a step forward in handling complex tasks and generating sophisticated, relevant text.

DeepSeek vs ChatGPT: Key Features and Differences 

Okay, they’re pretty similar – so what’s behind the global sensation of DeepSeek? It all comes down to these key differences.

Cost-Efficiency

The company claimed to have trained its AI model for just $6 million – a significant contrast to Microsoft’s estimated $80 billion investment in AI development (with Microsoft backing OpenAI).

Open-Source vs Closed-Source

Another major difference is that DeepSeek’s models (unlike ChatGPT) are open-source. This means the base code is publicly available for developers to access, modify, and customize. While this openness has its benefits, it also brings potential security concerns to watch out for.

Open-Source vs. Closed-Source: What’s the Difference?

• Open-source: The software’s code is accessible to everyone, allowing for modification and customization.
• Closed-source: The code is proprietary and protected, meaning only the developer (e.g., OpenAI) can modify or access it.

Environmental Impact

Today’s more than 8,000 data centers already consume about 1 to 2% of global electricity, according to the International Energy Agency. 

A lesser-known advantage of DeepSeek is its significantly reduced environmental impact: it uses 90% less energy and has a 92% smaller carbon footprint. This efficient use of resources not only makes it more sustainable but also more affordable. In comparison, ChatGPT has a higher environmental impact due to its more resource-intensive infrastructure. DeepSeek vs ChatGPT regarding sustainability: 1-0.

How to Use ChatGPT and DeepSeek for Content Creation

While there are several things you can do with both, here’s a list of ways both ChatGPT and DeepSeek can save you time and streamline your content creation process.

Idea Generation

Both ChatGPT and DeepSeek can brainstorm creative content ideas for blog posts, social media updates, newsletters, and more.

Tip: Ask for 5-10 topic ideas for a Facebook post at once to spark creativity or overcome writer’s block. 

Example Prompt: Please respond only in the English language. You are an expert Facebook marketer. You have a [STYLE] tone of voice. You have a [STYLE] writing style. Generate 10 ideas for Facebook posts on the topic [TOPIC] that will engage the target audience [DEMOGRAPHIC]. Include a CTA and hashtags wherever possible.

Instagram Carousel Ideas

Detailed prompts lead to more personalized and relevant output.

Tip: Be specific about your request for better results.

Example Prompt: Please respond only in English. You are a successful Instagram influencer with a large, engaged following. Your tone of voice is [STYLE] (e.g., friendly, motivational), and your writing style is [STYLE] (e.g., conversational, casual). Create an Instagram carousel on [TOPIC]. The carousel should have 8-10 slides, each with the following: A catchy title that clearly conveys the core message of each slide, detailed content with examples, tips, or insights. Afterward, generate a short post description summarizing the carousel. It should be concise, engaging, and contain emojis and relevant hashtags. The description should include a hook to encourage viewers to engage with the content. Make sure the carousel slides are visually appealing and follow best practices for engaging Instagram content, including creating a sense of storytelling or anticipation throughout the slides.

Content Polishing

ChatGPT and DeepSeek refine grammar, tone, and style to make your content more readable and professional.

Tip: Use it to adjust the tone to suit different audiences. 

Example Prompt: Analyze the grammar of the provided text to ensure it is correct and natural. Then, adjust the style to make it [STYLE]. Use a tone that feels [STYLE]. Avoid [STYLE] language.

SEO Optimization

It can suggest keywords, headings, and meta descriptions to help improve your content’s search rankings.

Tip: Ask for multiple headline options to test what resonates best with your audience.

Example Prompt: Please respond in the English language. You are an SEO expert and copywriter. You have a [STYLE] tone of voice. You have a [STYLE] writing style. I will give you a list of keywords, and I want you to generate meta descriptions for them. The meta descriptions should be between 140 and 160 characters. The meta descriptions should contain the keyword. Here are the keywords [KEYWORDS] 

Social Media Captions

Quickly generates catchy, engaging captions that align with your brand voice.

Tip: Request captions in various styles (funny, informative, trendy) to fit different platforms.

Example Prompt: Please respond in English. You are an Instagrammer with a large fan following. You have a [STYLE] tone of voice. You have a [STYLE] writing style. Write an Instagram post description in just a few sentences for the post [TOPIC]. Make the description readable by formatting with new lines. Include emojis and the Instagram hashtags in the description. Try to use unique emojis in the description. The description should have a hook and entice the readers.

Productivity Boost

ChatGPT acts as your personal assistant, saving you time by summarizing long-form articles into bullet points for your next LinkedIn post or blog.

Tip: Try different productivity boosts, such as creating lists or translating texts.

Example Prompt: You are an expert text analyst and researcher. Print the heading “Summary”. Then please summarize a piece of text I provide into bullet points and print them. After that print the heading “Topics”. Please print the major topics of the summary. Here is the text: [TEXT].

💡NEW: Reasoning function

An interesting new feature of ChatGPT has been released right after DeepSeek emerged. DeepSeek’s “DeepThink” function is ChatGPT’s “Reason”. 

What does it do? This feature allows you to ask the chatbot to “think twice” before giving you an answer. Essentially, it enhances the AI’s decision-making process, leading to more accurate and thoughtful responses. When you click on it, it gets enabled and a chat flow will show you what’s going on inside its head. 

On the flip side, the reviews for Chat GPT’s “Reason” function have been mixed. Some users report receiving answers of similar or even lower quality compared to standard responses. DeepSeek vs ChatGPT on thinking twice: 0-0.

Pros and Cons of DeepSeek vs ChatGPT for Content Creators

You’ve seen that both AI chatbots can save you time and enhance your content creation process. Now, let’s break down the key features that are most relevant to content creators and how each performs in these areas:

Content Generation Capabilities

DeepSeek: Quickly gained a reputation for its content generation capabilities. It can create well-structured content like social media captions, blog posts or product descriptions in a short amount of time. Some highlight that it’s especially good for technical queries, though it still lacks versatility in handling a wider range of topics.

ChatGPT: Delivers highly detailed and nuanced responses. If you need complex, in-depth content or sophisticated writing, ChatGPT is the go-to. It’s great for longer, more elaborate content that requires a touch of creativity and personalization.

User-Friendliness 

DeepSeek: Easy to use with an intuitive interface. It’s built to be user-friendly and provides quick answers to simple prompts.

ChatGPT: Also super user-friendly with a conversational interface. It’s designed for smooth interactions, whether you’re asking for simple content or more detailed responses.

Cost-Effectiveness

DeepSeek: When it comes to costs, DeepSeek offers a clear advantage. It provides its full range of capabilities for free, making it an attractive option for creators who need budget-friendly tools.

ChatGPT has a freemium model: While it does offer a free version, many of the advanced features and faster response times are locked behind a paywall (ChatGPT Plus). This can be a deciding factor for creators who need premium features.

Integration in Tools and Apps

DeepSeek: Mostly used in enterprise or research environments. 

Chat GPT: Integrates into various apps and platforms. 

Data Security

DeepSeek: Since DeepSeek is open-source, its security measures might differ. Creators need to evaluate whether its data protection is suitable for their needs, especially if they’re working with sensitive information. Has been criticised for user data storage in China and for not having security plans similar to other AI models.

ChatGPT: OpenAI has strong investments in data security, promising that your information is well-protected. It’s a trusted platform, but creators should always stay vigilant and review security measures.

Speed & Efficiency

DeepSeek: Can sometimes be slower when certain functions (like DeepThink) are activated. Users may encounter the occasional “The server is busy” error.

ChatGPT: Generally faster, especially for paying users on the ChatGPT Plus plan. However, the speed can vary depending on the complexity of the request and the subscription tier.

Dependence on Input Quality

DeepSeek: Works well with clear, straightforward prompts but may struggle with more nuanced or complex questions. The better the input, the better the output.

ChatGPT: Shines when it comes to detailed and specific prompts. It delivers highly personalized and accurate results, making it a great choice when you need depth and precision.

Of course, there are risks, but also opportunities for content creators in the DeepSeek vs ChatGPT debate. 

Let’s conclude that both can help you stay more organized, overcome writer’s block, and serve as your personal assistant. But most importantly, even though ChatGPT is getting closer to sounding more human, there is no doubt that human editing and fine-tuning are essential to stay genuine while outsourcing some of the more operational tasks and focusing on what truly impacts your audience.

Just a quick note before you leave: Metricool’s social media assistant can do awesome things for you too. Check it out:

Kata , 18 February 2025