The free version of DeepSeek does have some limitations. Users can access the chatbot for free, but the browser version allows a maximum of 50 messages per session. In contrast, the API version does not impose such restrictions; users can purchase tokens as needed, which allows for greater flexibility in usage[1][7].
For those using the Pro version, the daily limit for DeepSeek R1 queries has recently been increased from 10 to 25 queries per day**[1]. However, specific limits for free users are not detailed in the search results, suggesting that while there are some constraints, they may vary based on usage and platform. Overall, DeepSeek's free offering provides access to its core functionalities without any paywalls, making it accessible for various use cases[5].
Citations:
[1] https://www.businesstoday.in/technology/news/story/perplexity-ai-increases-limit-for-daily-deepseek-r1-queries-on-its-platform-462421-2025-01-29
[2] https://dev.to/proflead/deepseek-ai-ai-that-crushed-openai-how-to-use-deepseek-r1-privately-22fl
[3] https://www.techradar.com/computing/social-media/what-is-deepseek-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-new-chatgpt-rival-thats-taken-the-app-store-by-storm
[4] https://chat.deepseek.com/downloads/DeepSeek%20Terms%20of%20Use.html
[5] https://www.creolestudios.com/deepseek-vs-chatgpt-cost-comparison/
[6] https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5yv5976z9po
[7] https://www.reddit.com/r/LocalLLaMA/comments/1i9jre5/the_browser_version_of_deepseek_r1_allows_for/
[8] https://www.ccn.com/education/deepseek-vs-chatgpt-key-differences-explained/