Meta Llama 4 Maverick vs DeepSeek V4 Flash
Both are low-cost large-context options; Llama 4 Maverick adds vision, while DeepSeek V4 Flash is text-only with lower output pricing.
Quick verdict
Llama 4 Maverick is the better low-cost choice when image input matters. DeepSeek V4 Flash is the better pure-text batch choice when output cost dominates.
Side-by-side comparison
| Field | Meta Llama 4 Maverick | DeepSeek V4 Flash |
|---|---|---|
| Provider | Meta | DeepSeek |
| Context window | 1.05M tokens | 1.31M tokens |
| Input / 1M | $0.200 | $0.065 |
| Output / 1M | $0.696 | $0.180 |
| Modalities | Text, Vision | Text |
| Best for | Budget, Long Context, Multimodal | Budget, Long Context |
Cost estimates
| Workload | Input | Output | Meta Llama 4 Maverick | DeepSeek V4 Flash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quick test | 20,000 | 5,000 | $0.007 | $0.002 |
| Product chat month | 500,000 | 125,000 | $0.187 | $0.055 |
| Document batch | 5,000,000 | 1,000,000 | $1.70 | $0.505 |
Estimates use list input/output prices and exclude cache discounts, provider surcharges and tool fees.
Choose Meta Llama 4 Maverick if
- ✓You need image input at a low price
- ✓You want a large-context open-weight-style option
- ✓Your benchmark shows strong enough quality for the task
Choose DeepSeek V4 Flash if
- ✓Your workload is text-only
- ✓You process very large volumes of documents
- ✓Output token cost is the main constraint
FAQ
Is Meta Llama 4 Maverick cheaper than DeepSeek V4 Flash?
Meta Llama 4 Maverick costs $0.200 input and $0.696 output per 1M tokens. DeepSeek V4 Flash costs $0.065 input and $0.180 output per 1M tokens.
Which model has the larger context window?
Meta Llama 4 Maverick offers 1.05M tokens; DeepSeek V4 Flash offers 1.31M tokens. Provider-specific limits can vary by route.
Which one should I choose?
Llama 4 Maverick is the better low-cost choice when image input matters. DeepSeek V4 Flash is the better pure-text batch choice when output cost dominates.
Pricing and context data are based on a 2026-09-05 snapshot. Provider limits and pricing can change; verify on OpenRouter before production.