Model comparison
Inkling vs DeepSeek-V4-Pro
Compare Inkling and DeepSeek-V4-Pro using the same provider-sourced text & reasoning rubric. No mystery score and no invented benchmark ranking.
Facts checked September 4, 2026
Model comparison
Compare Inkling and DeepSeek-V4-Pro using the same provider-sourced text & reasoning rubric. No mystery score and no invented benchmark ranking.
Facts checked September 4, 2026
Set your usage. Your estimate updates as you type.
Example: 6,000 input tokens for 10 pages, plus a 500-token summary. Page lengths vary; adjust the numbers below.
One run sends your input to the model once and receives an answer. Tokens are pieces of text: input is what you send, output is the answer you receive.
Estimates exclude taxes, tools, cache storage/writes, free allowances and custom discounts. Image estimates cover output only, not prompt or reference-image charges. Quality modes differ by model. Unlisted settings are not treated as free.
| Model | Access | Estimated total (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| DeepSeek-V4-ProDeepSeek | DeepSeek | No reviewed rate |
| InklingThinking Machines Lab | Thinking Machines Lab | No reviewed rate |
Quick take
Thinking Machines Lab's large open-weights model for customizable reasoning, coding, tools, vision, and audio workflows.
A 975B model is a serious serving project even with sparse activation. Compare the exact hosted or self-hosted route, and do not assume the model's 1M maximum context is available on every provider.
DeepSeek's flagship million-context text model for difficult reasoning, coding, long-running agents, tools, and very large outputs.
The provider does not publish a knowledge cutoff or a universal speed measure. Review jurisdiction, account eligibility, cache behavior, data terms, and the full reasoning-output cost before sending sensitive workloads.
Compare the published facts
Values use each provider's own published units and limits. A blank means the provider did not publish a directly comparable value in the sources reviewed.
| Text & reasoning | Inkling | DeepSeek-V4-Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Context windowMaximum combined prompt and working context documented by the provider. | Up to 1M tokens; Tinker offers 64K and 256K | 1M tokens |
| Maximum outputProvider-published response limit, where available. | Not separately published | Up to 384K tokens |
| Knowledge cutoffLatest reliable knowledge date explicitly published by the model provider. Search and connected tools can retrieve newer information but do not change the model's built-in cutoff. | Not published | Not published |
| Input priceCurrent standard list price per million input tokens unless noted. | Hosting dependent | $1.32 / 1M peak uncached; $0.66 off-peak |
| Output priceCurrent standard list price per million output tokens unless noted. | Hosting dependent | $3.96 / 1M peak; $1.98 off-peak |
| InputsMedia types accepted by the listed model endpoint. | Text, image, audio | Text |
| Tools & agentsSelected native tools and agent-building capabilities, not an exhaustive list. | Agentic coding, tools, Python-assisted vision, controllable thinking | Tools, JSON output, Responses API, thinking effort, FIM beta |
How to choose
Start with the job you need to complete, then validate cost, access, and policy details on your exact provider route.
The open weights can be self-hosted so request data stays in infrastructure you control. Tinker and partner-hosted routes have separate retention and training-use terms that must be checked with the selected provider.
DeepSeek documents its Responses API as stateless and says responses and conversations are not stored by that endpoint. This is not a complete account-wide retention or training-use promise; review current platform terms and automatic cache behavior for sensitive data.
Provider and API links
Frequently asked questions
Inkling: Thinking Machines Lab's large open-weights model for customizable reasoning, coding, tools, vision, and audio workflows. DeepSeek-V4-Pro: DeepSeek's flagship million-context text model for difficult reasoning, coding, long-running agents, tools, and very large outputs.
Consider Inkling when your priority is Teams that want an adaptable open-weight foundation model. Consider DeepSeek-V4-Pro when your priority is Complex coding and tool-using agents. Test both with your own data and provider route before committing.
No. This comparison aligns provider-published facts for the Text & reasoning category. It does not claim a universal winner or combine incompatible third-party benchmark scores.