DeepSeek R1 and Claude 3.7 Sonnet are advanced AI models that excel in structured reasoning and coding challenges with human-like conversational tasks. This makes it overwhelming to choose the right AI model for individual or professional use.
In this guide, we will do a comprehensive DeepSeek R1 vs Claude 3.7 Sonnet comparison to evaluate their performance in real-world scenarios and identify their strengths and limitations. So, stick around and find out which AI model fits with your needs.
Part 1. DeepSeek R1 vs Claude 3.7 Sonnet: A Quick Model Overview
The DeepSeek and Claude are engineered to tackle reasoning and challenging tasks with high proficiency. So, before we begin their side-by-side comparison, let's quickly clarify their basics:
What is DeepSeek R1?
DeepSeek R1 is an open-source, latest AI model released by DeepSeek. It can perform tasks like mathematical problem-solving, logical inference, coding, and natural language processing tasks. Its strengths lie in structured reasoning, coding, and reinforcement learning. For those interested in exploring DeepSeek R1, UPDF AI provides access to the full DeepSeek R1 model for free - click the button below to give it a try.

What is Claude 3.7 Sonnet?
Claude 3.7 Sonnet is the latest and most intelligent AI model by Anthropic. It positions itself as a powerful AI model in reasoning, coding, and real-world problem-solving. Compared to previous versions like Claude 3.5 Sonnet, this model supports "Thinking Mode", which now offers a step-by-step reasoning process. Moreover, its strength lies in enhanced conversational ability, autonomous "computer use", and advanced coding skills.
Part 2. DeepSeek R1 vs Claude 3.7 Sonnet: Real-World Comparative Tests
DeepSeek and Claude are at the forefront of AI innovation on paper, but the real test lies in their real-world performance. So, let's begin a thorough DeepSeek vs Claude comparison across various practical scenarios:
1. Document Analysis
The first test we are doing is document analysis. We are uploading the same PDF to both models and asking them to summarize and translate the content.
Test 1# Summarize PDF
Prompt: "Summarize this PDF in 1000 words with a clear structure, key takeaways, and well-organized sections."
DeepSeek R1 Response

Claude 3.7 Sonnet Response

Test 2# Translate PDF
Prompt: "Translate this content to Italian: [paste content]"
DeepSeek R1 Response

Claude 3.7 Sonnet Response

Verdict
DeepSeek R1 and Claude 3.7 Sonnet are exceptional in document analysis. They are both able to write in a clear structure and extract key insights. However, the DeepSeek R1 response was deeper, with easy-to-grasp bullet points.
Bonus Tip:
UPDF AI is a better and a dedicated tool for document analysis. It allows you to summarize, translate, explain, generate mind maps, and have human-like chats with PDFs. Moreover, it lets you freely switch between the GPT-4o model and DeepSeek R1 models. Feel impressed? Hit the below button to try UPDF AI and see its document analysis capabilities yourself.
2. Puzzle Solving & Logical Reasoning
Now that document analysis is off the table, let's test DeepSeek vs Claude for their reasoning capabilities.
Prompt: "You have two ropes, each of which takes exactly 60 minutes to burn completely, but they do not burn at a constant rate. Using only these ropes and a lighter, devise a method to measure exactly 45 minutes. Provide your solution with detailed, step-by-step reasoning."
DeepSeek R1 Response

Claude 3.7 Sonnet Response

Verdict:
- Accuracy: DeepSeek (99%) | Claude (98%)
- Reasoning Steps: DeepSeek gave more easy-to-grasp and shorter reasoning steps, while Claude gave lengthier steps, which became a bit confusing.
- Response Clarity: DeepSeek's response was clearer than Claude's.
3. Coding Challenge
Next, the important test is the coding challenge. We will ask both AI models to debug a faulty code and see which one provides the most convincing response:
Prompt: "The following Python code is supposed to perform a bubble sort, but it contains errors. Please identify and fix the errors while explaining the issues and providing a corrected version of the code."
DeepSeek R1 Response

Claude 3.7 Sonnet Response

Verdict:
- Code Quality: Claude's code quality is better than DeepSeek's. It provides more comments across the code for easy understanding.
- Execution Accuracy: Although both detect the issue accurately, Claude goes even deeper with more suggestions for improving the code.
- Explanation Clarity: DeepSeek's explanation is clearer and more understandable than Claude's.
4. Creative Writing & Content Generation
Enough with technical tests! Let's take DeepSeek and Claude on a creativity spin and see how well both do in generating creative content writing.
Prompt: "Write a short sci-fi story (200-300 words) about a future where AI governs society. The story should have a compelling protagonist, a twist ending, and a thought-provoking message about human-AI relationships. Ensure the writing is engaging, coherent, and original."
DeepSeek R1 Response

Claude 3.7 Sonnet Response

Verdict:
- Creativity: DeepSeek has truly written a creative story that showcases imaginative and diverse narratives, while Claude's response is more of a conversational output.
- Coherence: DeepSeek's responses are coherent with fluid and structured narratives that are engaging to follow. Claude's responses are easy to grasp but lack depth.
- Uniqueness: DeepSeek's wording reflects something unique coming out of the AI that isn't often heard before. Claude's storyline tends to be more predictable and leans on familiar themes.
Other than using DeepSeek R1 or Claude 3.7 for creative writing, you can use UPDF AI for a more delightful experience. UPDF AI is a better alternative for content writing, as it is integrated with full-size DeepSeek R1 and GPT-4o and excels in generating creative and compelling content. Try out UPDF AI and explore its creativity yourself.
Part 3. Pricing Comparison: Which One is Cost-Effective?
DeepSeek R1 has made its noise by being open-source and highly cost-effective in API costs. So, let's see how it reflects compared to Claude 3.7 Sonnet pricing.
The table below provides a price comparison of DeepSeek R1 vs Claude 3.7 Sonnet for 1 million token:
Feature | DeepSeek R1 | Claude 3.7 Sonnet |
Input Tokens (per 1M) | $0.14 (cache hit) / $0.55 (cache miss) | $3.00 |
Output Tokens (per 1M) | $2.19 | $15.00 |
DeepSeek R1 is more cost-friendly than Claude 3.7 Sonnet. It is almost 6.6x times cheaper than Claude 3.7 Sonnet for input and output tokens. This makes DeepSeek R1 a preferred AI model for organizations that need a thorough reasoning model with a manageable budget.
Insider Tip:
For workflows that heavily rely on PDF and document analysis, UPDF AI is a better pick. Unlike models with per-token pricing, UPDF AI offers a flat quarterly fee of just $29, providing unlimited queries and eliminating the need to track token usage.
Part 4. Bonus: The Best AI Document Analyzer Powered by ChatGPT & DeepSeek
DeepSeek R1 and Claude 3.7 Sonnet can both facilitate document analysis, but a dedicated AI document analyzer can enhance the experience. That's where UPDF AI shines.
UPDF AI is a specially designed AI document analyzer powered by ChatGPT and DeepSeek. It provides ChatGPT as the default model for document analysis but allows users to freely switch to DeepSeek R1 when needed.
With UPDF AI, you can:
- Summarize PDF
- Translate PDF
- Explain PDF
- Proofread/rewrite/write
- Chat with images
- Convert PDF to mind map
In short, UPDF AI is your all-in-one tool to analyze documents with the best intelligent system you need today.

Steps to Try Full-Size DeepSeek R1 Model with UPDF AI
Step 1. Go to UPDF AI online by clicking the button below.
Step 2. Click "DeepThink (R1)" from the chat box to enable DeepSeek R1.
Step 3. Enter the prompt and hit Enter.

DeepSeek R1 will begin with thorough reasoning and then provide the authentic answer.

Steps to Try GPT-4o with UPDF AI
Step 1. Go to UPDF AI online and upload the PDF.
Step 2. Enter the prompt related to the PDF and hit Enter. UPDF AI will use ChatGPT to answer the prompt.

That's it! You can also use UPDF's desktop and smartphone apps to access UPDF AI and fulfill your document analysis needs. So, why think more? Try UPDF AI and have a powerful AI tool to analyze documents anytime.
Conclusion
From the above DeepSeek R1 vs Claude 3.7 Sonnet comparison, we can conclude that DeepSeek R1 is a preferred model when you have complex tasks and need the AI model to do thorough reasoning. In contrast, Claude 3.7 is preferred when you need a balanced approach to reasoning and communication. Overall, we believe that DeepSeek R1 is a more preferred option than Claude 3.7 due to its exceptional performance in reasoning and creativity.
The final choice is yours. Choose the model wisely depending on your specific needs. Plus, don't forget to get your hands on UPDF AI to have the best AI for document analysis.