# gpt-5.2 vs deepseek-r2

> gpt-5.2 vs deepseek-r2: cost per 1M tokens, latency, throughput and monthly bill. deepseek-r2 runs about 73% cheaper on the same workload.

Source: https://tokenomy.ai/compare/gpt-5-2-vs-deepseek-r2
Last updated: 2026-09-21
Publisher: Tokenomy — FinOps for AI
License: free to quote with attribution and a link to the source URL.

## Answer

On a 1,500-input, 500-output call at 10,000 calls a day, gpt-5.2 costs about $2,100 a month and deepseek-r2 about $578 — deepseek-r2 is roughly 73% cheaper than gpt-5.2. gpt-5.2 lists $8.00 per 1M output tokens against deepseek-r2 at $2.20.

gpt-5.2 costs $2.00/1M in and $8.00/1M out; deepseek-r2 costs $0.55/1M in and $2.20/1M out.

## Price per 1M tokens

gpt-5.2: input $2.00, output $8.00. deepseek-r2: input $0.55, output $2.20.

- Monthly at 10,000 calls/day — gpt-5.2: $2,100, deepseek-r2: $578
- Monthly at 100,000 calls/day — gpt-5.2: $21,000, deepseek-r2: $5,775
- Time to first token — gpt-5.2: 200 ms, deepseek-r2: 300 ms
- Throughput — gpt-5.2: 220 tok/s, deepseek-r2: 45 tok/s

## Which one to run

If your workload tolerates deepseek-r2's quality, the saving is immediate. If it does not, route: send the easy calls to deepseek-r2 and keep gpt-5.2 for the hard ones.

## Frequently asked questions

### Is gpt-5.2 cheaper than deepseek-r2?

deepseek-r2 is cheaper. At 10,000 calls a day with 1,500 input and 500 output tokens, gpt-5.2 costs about $2,100 a month and deepseek-r2 about $578.

### What is the price difference between gpt-5.2 and deepseek-r2?

About 73% on the same workload, using list prices with no caching or batch discounts.

## Related pages

- [Scan your AI spend free](https://tokenomy.ai/waste)
- [All comparisons](https://tokenomy.ai/compare)
- [gpt-5.2 pricing](https://tokenomy.ai/models/gpt-5-2)
- [deepseek-r2 pricing](https://tokenomy.ai/models/deepseek-r2)
- [Same model, different hosts](https://tokenomy.ai/endpoints)