ChatGPT vs. DeepSeek – Which AI is Better for Your Small Business?

by Janeel Abrahams | Feb 7, 2025 | Small Business Tech Tips | 0 comments

Have you ever wondered how AI chatbots could transform your small business? They are becoming essential tools for enhancing customer service, automating tasks, and boosting efficiency. Among the top contenders in the AI chatbot arena are ChatGPT and raising newcomer DeepSeek. But which one is right for your business? Let’s dive in and find out!

Overview of ChatGPT and DeepSeek

ChatGPT

Imagine having a chatbot that can handle detailed and nuanced conversations with your customers. That’s ChatGPT for you! Developed by OpenAI, ChatGPT is known for its versatility and wide adoption across various industries. Whether you need help with customer service, content creation, or data analysis, ChatGPT has got you covered.

DeepSeek

On the other hand, have you heard about DeepSeek? This newcomer from a Chinese startup is making waves with its cost-effectiveness and innovative features. DeepSeek is designed to provide concise and straightforward answers, making it a great choice for businesses that value speed and affordability. Could this be the budget-friendly solution you’ve been looking for?

Key Features Comparison

So, what sets ChatGPT and DeepSeek apart? Let’s break it down.

Language Understanding and Generation

Ever wished your chatbot could understand and respond just like a human? ChatGPT excels in this area, offering detailed and nuanced responses that can make your customers feel truly heard. On the flip side, DeepSeek is all about getting straight to the point. It provides concise and straightforward answers, which can be a real time-saver out of the box. Which style suits your business better? You can tell ChatGPT to be more concise if necessary, but it requires you to add that to its memory.

Speed and Performance

When it comes to speed, who doesn’t love a quick response? ChatGPT is reliable but can sometimes take a bit longer to generate its detailed answers. DeepSeek, however, prides itself on its fast response times. If speed is your top priority, DeepSeek might just win this round. But is speed everything?

Cost Efficiency

Let’s talk money. ChatGPT, with its premium features, can run around $20 a month (more for the Business Teams version), though there is a free version. But you get what you pay for, right? DeepSeek, on the other hand, is open source which is free, but you have to pay for compute resources to run it on your own systems, or you pay a per-token cost to use their API, which isn’t very transparent and can add up quickly without you realizing it.

Security Concerns

When it comes to AI, security is a big deal. So, how do ChatGPT and DeepSeek stack up?

ChatGPT

Have you ever worried about your data being safe? With ChatGPT, there are some security concerns to keep in mind, though they have all been quickly addressed. For instance, ChatGPT has faced issues like data breaches and vulnerabilities in its open-source libraries[1]. These incidents, while quickly addressed, highlight the importance of robust security measures. Additionally, ChatGPT’s ability to generate highly convincing text can be a double-edged sword, potentially aiding in sophisticated phishing attacks[2]. It’s crucial for businesses to stay vigilant and implement strong cybersecurity practices. OpenAI went ahead and introduced ChatGPT Enterprise, which has more security incorporated. ChatGPT Enterprise is intended for businesses that need more security. It also comes with upgraded features than are available in the free and team versions.

DeepSeek

Now, let’s talk about DeepSeek. This AI model has raised significant national security concerns, especially in the U.S. Given that DeepSeek was developed by a Chinese startup, there are worries about data residency and privacy[3]. Chinese laws grant the government broad access to data from companies based in China, which could pose risks for businesses using DeepSeek[3]. Moreover, DeepSeek has experienced large-scale cyberattacks and has been criticized for its inadequate security protocols[4]. It’s essential for businesses to weigh these risks carefully.

So, which one sounds safer to you? Due to the extensive current concerns, DeepSeek is not recommended right now.

Data Residency and Privacy

When it comes to your business data, where it’s stored can make a big difference. So, how do ChatGPT and DeepSeek handle data residency and privacy?

ChatGPT

Have you ever thought about where your data goes when you use ChatGPT? OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, stores data primarily in the United States. This can be reassuring for businesses concerned about data privacy laws, as the U.S. has stringent regulations in place. However, there are still some privacy concerns. For instance, ChatGPT has been criticized for its extensive data collection practices, which include scraping vast amounts of information from the internet without explicit consent[5][6]. This can raise red flags, especially for businesses handling sensitive customer data. Are you comfortable with your data being part of such a massive dataset? If you are not, it’s very important to subscribe to a business version where they will not use your data to train the AI.

DeepSeek

Now, let’s talk about DeepSeek. As we mentioned earlier, their AI model has sparked significant concerns about data residency and privacy. Given that DeepSeek stores data in China, businesses must consider the implications of Chinese data privacy laws[7]. These laws grant the government broad access to data, which can be a major concern for businesses worried about confidentiality and security[8]. Will your business data stay secure if you feed it into the DeepSeek model? Additionally, DeepSeek has faced scrutiny for its data protection measures, with some experts highlighting vulnerabilities and potential risks[7]. Does storing your data in China sound like a recipe for sadness?

Understanding where your data is stored and the privacy implications are crucial for making an informed decision. So, which one aligns better with your business’s privacy priorities?

Low-Risk Applications

So, what can you safely use these AI models for in your small business without additional privacy safeguards? Let’s take a look.

ChatGPT

Ever thought about using AI to handle routine tasks? ChatGPT is great for low-risk applications like customer service chatbots, where it can answer common questions and provide basic support[9]. It’s also fantastic for generating content, such as blog posts, social media updates, and marketing materials[10]. Need help with data analysis? ChatGPT can assist with basic data sorting and reporting of non-business critical data, making your life a bit easier[11]. These tasks are low-risk because they don’t involve sensitive or confidential information. Could this be the extra pair of hands your business needs? If you plan to work with business confidential information, it’s important to upgrade to a paid business subscription.

DeepSeek

What about DeepSeek? This AI model shines in simple customer interactions, like responding to frequently asked questions[12]. It’s also useful for automating responses, which can save you time and effort. Additionally, DeepSeek can help with initial data sorting and categorization, making it easier to manage your data[13]. These applications can be low-risk as long as you don’t feed it sensitive data or depend on it to make critical decisions. Is DeepSeek a low-risk application? Not according to NowSecure co-founder Andrew Hoog who states, “not equipped or willing to provide basic security protections of your data and identity,” as he described the new Chinese-made application. He continued to explain, “There are fundamental security practices that are not being observed, either intentionally or unintentionally. Ultimately, it puts your and your company’s data and identity at risk.” in his interview with Ars.

General Prompt Comparisons

So, how do ChatGPT and DeepSeek perform when it comes to different types of prompts? Let’s find out!

Creative Writing

Ever needed a burst of creativity for your marketing content or social media posts? ChatGPT is known for its detailed and imaginative responses. It can craft engaging stories, write compelling blog posts, and even generate creative ad copy[14]. On the other hand, DeepSeek tends to be more concise and to the point. While it may not be as elaborate as ChatGPT, it gets the job done quickly and efficiently[14]. So, if you need a quick, straightforward response, DeepSeek might be your go-to. But if you’re looking for something with a bit more flair, ChatGPT could be the better choice.

Prompt: “Compose a short science fiction story about a future where humans and AI coexist peacefully.”

ChatGPT delivered a story set in the year 2147, but the language was dull, and felt like I had read it before. There wasn’t a proper hook, and the story did not have much of a setup. To be honest, I really wanted ChatGPT to win this one, it usually does. I thought for sure it would, but the effort seemed lacking.

DeepSeek R1 crafted a comprehensive story from start to finish even offering something to ponder at the story’s end with “the greatest achievement of intelligence is not dominance but understanding.” In case you were wondering why some text is bolded, the AI does that to keep the reader’s attention and to highlight meaningful aspects of the story.

Winner: DeepSeek R1 wins for an engaging story with depth and meaning.

Credit: Tom’s Guide

Technical Queries

What about when you need help with technical questions? ChatGPT excels at providing comprehensive explanations and detailed answers to complex queries[14]. Whether you’re troubleshooting a coding issue or need an in-depth explanation of a technical concept, ChatGPT has you covered. DeepSeek, while also capable of handling technical queries, tends to provide more succinct answers[14]. This can be great for quick solutions but might leave you wanting more detail. So, if you need thorough explanations, ChatGPT is the way to go. But for quick, concise answers, DeepSeek might be more your speed.

By understanding how each AI model handles different types of prompts, you can choose the one that best fits your business needs. So, which one do you think would handle your prompts better?

Prompt: “Write a Python function that takes a list of integers and returns a new list containing only the prime numbers from the original list.”

ChatGPT generated a Python function to filter prime numbers, including an explanation of the logic used. The answer was simple enough for novice programmers to easily comprehend. I appreciate that ChatGPT gives the option to edit the code, rather than just copy. This is useful for updates and adding on to the code.

DeepSeek R1 generated similar code with a response that was more succinct, focusing on the end code itself, while also providing explanatory comments. The option to edit is not available, only copy.

Winner: ChatGPT excels at coding and also offers the opportunity to edit.

Credit: Tom’s Guide

Closing Thoughts

So, which AI model is the best fit for your small business?

ChatGPT offers detailed and nuanced responses, making it ideal for tasks that require creativity and comprehensive explanations. It’s a bit pricier, but its versatility and wide adoption make it a strong contender for businesses looking for high-quality interactions.

DeepSeek, on the other hand, is all about speed and cost-efficiency. It provides concise and straightforward answers, making it a great choice for businesses that prioritize quick responses and affordability. However, it’s important to consider the significant data residency and security concerns associated with storing data in China.

When it comes to low-risk applications, both ChatGPT and DeepSeek can handle routine tasks like customer service, content generation, and basic data analysis. However, for sensitive data processing and critical decision-making, you might want to look elsewhere or at least upgrade to the enterprise version of ChatGPT.

As it is right now, Chatgpt has been in the arena for a longer period and a new contender (DeepSeek) who is unable to protect themselves can’t hope to protect others. The best choice right now is to stick with what you know and are used to. Keep eyeing the new guy (DeepSeek) as he levels up but jumping on the next best thing isn’t your best option right now.