Cloudflare Clef vs DeepSeek comparison

Cloudflare Clef and DeepSeek compared side by side in AI.

CurrencyUSDKRWEUR

What is different

Starting price

Cloudflare ClefCheck site
DeepSeekFree

Free tier

Cloudflare ClefFree plan available
DeepSeekFree

Korean support

Cloudflare ClefLimited
DeepSeekGood

Main models

Cloudflare ClefClef (based on Qwen3.8-27B, supports image input) / Clef-flash (based on Qwen3.5-9B, low latency)
DeepSeekDeepSeek-V4.1-Flash-1017 (multimodal) / DeepSeek-V4-Pro

Cloudflare Clef

An open-source decision model released by Cloudflare in October 2026. Instead of text, it returns only choices and probabilities, and is compatible with the Jev API

What is good

  • Apache 2.0 open source, so free even on your own servers
  • Jev API compatible, so it is easy to swap in
  • Clef supports a 64K context (2x Jev's) and image decisions

What could be better

  • Decision-only, cannot chat or write
  • No app for general users

Cloudflare Clef official site

DeepSeek

A high-performance Chinese AI chatbot that is free to use. The models are also released as open source

What is good

  • Chatbot fully free
  • Good at math and reasoning
  • API is very cheap

What could be better

  • Controversy over overseas transfer of personal data
  • Slows down when traffic is heavy

DeepSeek official site

At a glance

ItemCloudflare ClefVisit siteDeepSeekVisit site
Starting priceCheck siteNot applicableFreeNot applicable
Free tierFree plan availableFree
Korean supportLimitedGood
Main models
  • Clef (based on Qwen3.8-27B, supports image input)
  • Clef-flash (based on Qwen3.5-9B, low latency)
  • DeepSeek-V4.1-Flash-1017 (multimodal)
  • DeepSeek-V4-Pro
TypeAI servicesAI services
CategoryOpen Models, Developer APIChatbot/Assistant, Open Models
CompanyCloudflare, United StatesDeepSeek, China
Plans
  • Weights free (Apache 2.0)
  • Workers AI pay-as-you-go: Clef $0.24 per 1 million input tokens, Clef-flash $0.038
  • Workers AI free allocation of 10,000 Neurons per day (excess $0.011 per 1,000 Neurons, Workers Paid required)
  • Contact for fine-tuning
  • Web and app fully free
  • API pay-as-you-go (50% off off-peak)
Pros
  • Apache 2.0 open source, so free even on your own servers
  • Jev API compatible, so it is easy to swap in
  • Clef supports a 64K context (2x Jev's) and image decisions
  • Clef-flash has a very cheap input price
  • Can be tried right away with the Workers AI free allocation
  • Chatbot fully free
  • Good at math and reasoning
  • API is very cheap
Cons
  • Decision-only, cannot chat or write
  • No app for general users
  • The self-service fine-tuning platform is still in preparation
  • No public Korean performance data
  • Controversy over overseas transfer of personal data
  • Slows down when traffic is heavy
  • Censorship of sensitive topics

Prices and benefits may change. Check the official site before you pay.

Prices converted at 1 USD = ₩1,327.84 (2026-10-20). Original price shown in brackets. Taxes as listed by each provider.

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