

- What it is: The standard web chat interface most people refer to when they say “I’ll DeepSeek it.”
- How to start: Open
https://chat.deepseek.com, sign up with email or Google, and start chatting immediately — no payment or download required. - Key benefits:
- Conversations are saved to your DeepSeek account and available across devices.
- The web client uses the latest chat model by default (e.g., V3 when available), so you get current features and improvements.
- Fast setup — ideal when you need an answer right away.

- What it is: The native DeepSeek app that syncs with your account.
- How it helps: Uses the same account as the website, so history and settings are consistent.
- Mobile-specific perks:
- Voice input for hands-free queries.
- Native push notifications for updates or reminders.
- Optimized layout for small screens — same capabilities as web, tuned for mobile usage.

- What it is: A programmatic interface that lets applications talk to DeepSeek without a chat UI.
- When to use it:
- Embedding DeepSeek features (summaries, assistants, search, etc.) into your apps, portals, or internal tools.
- Automating requests and processing large volumes of content.
- How it works:
- Generate an API key from your DeepSeek account.
- Integrate the key into your code or HTTP requests and pay according to usage (per request, token volume, or other billing model).
- Who should skip it: Non-developers or users who only need conversational access can ignore the API for now.
Fastest path: use the website. Choose the mobile app for on-the-go or voice access. Use the API only when you’re building integrations or embedding DeepSeek into other software.
In the story, Maya picks the website. With thirty-eight minutes left, the chat is open and ready — all that remains is to type a real prompt and get the answer.