How to Access DeepSeek’s Full‑Power Model for Free: Platforms & API Guide

Many users are looking for ways to use DeepSeek, but often run into server slowdowns or API issues. Below is a comprehensive guide covering direct access platforms and API integration methods.

1. Direct Access

1. DingTalk AI Assistant

If you use DingTalk at work, you can enable the built‑in AI assistant that includes the full DeepSeek‑R1 model without installing extra apps.

Steps:

Update to the latest DingTalk version.

Tap the AI Assistant icon at the top right.

Select the AI Assistant and create a new assistant.

In the creation form, scroll to the bottom and choose "DeepSeek‑R1 Full Version".

Save and publish.

2. National Supercomputing Internet Platform

Website: https://chat.scnet.cn/#/home

The DeepSeek‑R1 model is deployed here, but only the distilled (reduced‑capacity) version is available.

Another related site: https://www.scnet.cn/ui/mall/ – the platform’s marketplace also offers many free models.

3. 360 Nano AI Search

Search for "Nano AI" in your phone’s app store, install, then select the "DeepSeek" model under the "Large Model" section to use the full version for free.

4. Metaso AI Search

Website: https://metaso.cn/ – provides the full DeepSeek‑R1 model, but you must enable the "Long‑Think R1" switch.

5. AskManyAI

Website: https://askmanyai.cn/login?i=4f47b5ef – a newly launched platform offering unlimited free access to the full DeepSeek‑R1 model with web search and image‑document conversation capabilities.

2. API Calls

Beyond direct platforms, you can integrate DeepSeek via API for greater flexibility and speed. The guide uses Cherry Studio as the client because it is open‑source, easy to set up, and works on desktop.

Download Cherry Studio: https://cherry-ai.com/

In Cherry Studio, open Settings → Model Service and add a new provider.

1. Tencent Cloud

Tencent Cloud offers a free DeepSeek API with fast response times.

Create an API Key at https://console.cloud.tencent.com/lkeap and copy it.

In Cherry Studio, add a provider named "Tencent Cloud" (type OpenAI), paste the API Key, and set the API endpoint to https://api.lkeap.cloud.tencent.com.

After adding the model, select it in the conversation view to start chatting.

2. ByteDance Volcano Engine

Volcano Engine provides 500,000 free tokens and the fastest response among providers.

Create an API Key at https://console.volcengine.com/ark/region:ark+cn-beijing/apiKey?apikey=%7B%7D.

Create an online inference endpoint, select the DeepSeek‑R1 model, and confirm.

Copy the generated endpoint name (the string starting with "ep...") and use it as the model ID in Cherry Studio. Set the API address to https://ark.cn-beijing.volces.com/api/v3/chat/completions#.

3. Alibaba Cloud Bailei

Bailei offers free tokens (10 million per model) for DeepSeek‑R1 and DeepSeek‑V3.

Log in to the Bailei console, create an API Key, and copy it.

In Cherry Studio, add a provider named "Alibaba Bailei", paste the API Key, set the model ID to "deepseek‑r1", and add the model.

Switch to the newly added model to start chatting.

These methods should enable smooth, high‑quality use of DeepSeek; keep them handy for when the official site is unstable.