AI Model Selection Guide: ChatGPT, Claude, DeepSeek — Which One Should You Use?

Why Does Choosing the Right AI Model Matter?

When most people first encounter AI, they all ask the same question: "Which one should I use?" ChatGPT has the biggest name, Claude has great reviews, DeepSeek is cheap, and Gemini has lots of features — everyone recommends something different, but no one tells you which is best for you.

Choosing the wrong model can be costly: spending money only to find it can't write code well, or running out of free credits before discovering another model is better suited to your use case. This article helps you skip those detours.

Four Major Models at a Glance

Let's quickly get to know the four mainstream models:

• ChatGPT (OpenAI): Largest user base, most complete ecosystem, strong multimodal capabilities
• Claude (Anthropic): Known for safety, excellent at long-form content, natural writing style
• DeepSeek (DeepSeek): Chinese model, strong reasoning ability, extremely competitive pricing
• Gemini (Google): Good search integration, strong multimodal, generous free tier

Capability Comparison: Who Excels at What?

The chart below shows how the four models perform across different dimensions (out of 5 stars):

Quick summary:

• Writing: ChatGPT ≈ Claude > DeepSeek ≈ Gemini
• Coding: ChatGPT ≈ Claude ≈ DeepSeek > Gemini
• Math Reasoning: DeepSeek > ChatGPT ≈ Claude ≈ Gemini
• Chinese: DeepSeek > ChatGPT ≈ Claude ≈ Gemini (native advantage for Chinese models)
• Long Context: Claude > Gemini > ChatGPT ≈ DeepSeek (Claude supports ultra-long context)
• Multimodal: ChatGPT ≈ Gemini > DeepSeek > Claude
• Value: DeepSeek > Gemini > ChatGPT ≈ Claude

Scenario Recommendations: Different Needs, Different Models

Rather than looking at scores, focus on your actual needs. Here are recommendations for six common scenarios:

Scenario 1: Writing Articles, Emails, or Copy

Recommended: ChatGPT or Claude

These two models excel at writing. ChatGPT is versatile across styles; Claude produces more natural, warm text suited for nuanced expression.

If you're doing content creation, marketing copy, or need AI to polish your writing, these are your top choices.

Scenario 2: Writing Code or Debugging

Recommended: DeepSeek or Claude

DeepSeek offers the best value for code generation with quality matching top-tier models. Claude excels at code understanding, making it great for complex reviews and refactoring. ChatGPT is good for rapid prototyping.

If you're a developer, consider keeping both DeepSeek and Claude, switching based on task complexity.

Scenario 3: Reading Long Documents or Analyzing Reports

Recommended: Claude

Claude supports ultra-long context (up to 200K tokens), able to process 100+ page PDFs in one go. If you regularly handle long documents, academic papers, or legal contracts, Claude is your best bet.

Scenario 4: Math Problems or Logical Reasoning

Recommended: DeepSeek

DeepSeek's reasoning ability ranks first among Chinese models, even surpassing some international models. If you need AI for math, logical analysis, or multi-step reasoning tasks, DeepSeek is the top choice.

Scenario 5: Saving Money or Daily Q&A

Recommended: DeepSeek

DeepSeek has the lowest pricing among all mainstream models — daily use costs almost nothing. If you use AI frequently or have a limited budget, DeepSeek is the value king.

Scenario 6: Image Analysis or Vision Tasks

Recommended: ChatGPT or Gemini

These two models have the strongest multimodal capabilities, supporting image and video input. If you need AI to analyze images, recognize text, or describe photos, prioritize these two.

Price Comparison: How Much Does It Cost?

Here's how the four models compare on API pricing (per million tokens):

• ChatGPT (GPT-4o): Input $2.50 / Output $10
• Claude (Sonnet 4): Input $3 / Output $15
• DeepSeek (V3): Input ¥1 / Output ¥2 (about $0.14 / $0.28)
• Gemini (2.5 Pro): Input $1.25 / Output $5

As you can see, DeepSeek's pricing is 10-50x lower than other models. For daily use, this difference is significant.

Beginner Advice: Start Here

If you're using AI for the first time, here's my recommendation:

Step 1: Try the Free Versions First

ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini all have free tiers; DeepSeek offers free credits after registration. Try each for a week and see which model's response style suits you best.

Step 2: Lock In a Model Based on Your Primary Need

Think about what you'll use AI for most. If you write a lot, choose ChatGPT or Claude. If you code a lot, choose DeepSeek. If you read long documents often, choose Claude. Don't try to find a "do-it-all" model — master one for your main use case first.

Step 3: Add More Models Later

Once you're comfortable with one model, add another to cover gaps. For example, use Claude as your main tool for writing and occasionally switch to DeepSeek for math problems.

How to Access These Models via Ciyuano?

On the Ciyuano platform, you can access all these models with a single API key — no need to register on each platform separately:

• Visit the Model List to see all available models
• Create a key on the API Key Management page
• Set the API base URL to https://www.ciyuano.com/v1 and enter your key
• Switch models by changing the model parameter

This way, you don't need to switch between multiple platforms — one entry point for all models.

FAQ

Can I use multiple models at the same time?

Yes. Many AI tools (like Cherry Studio, ChatBox) support configuring multiple models, letting you switch anytime. On Ciyuano, a single API key gives you access to all models.

What's the difference between free and paid versions?

Free tiers usually have usage limits, context length restrictions, or don't include the latest models. Paid versions remove these limits and offer faster response times. If you only use AI occasionally, the free tier is enough; if you use it daily, consider upgrading.

What's the difference between Chinese and international models?

Chinese models (like DeepSeek) have a natural advantage in Chinese understanding and generation, with much lower pricing. International models (like ChatGPT, Claude) are stronger in English and multimodal tasks. If you primarily use Chinese, domestic models are more than sufficient.

Will models leak my data?

Mainstream AI platforms have privacy protection policies and typically don't use user data for model training. However, if you're handling highly sensitive data, consider self-hosted solutions or enterprise versions. Ciyuano supports private deployment, keeping your data fully under your control.