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DeepSeekPathology

DeepSeek for pathology

Open-weight (MIT) Chinese language model with a 1M context window and a built-in reasoning mode, at very low API costs.

Not specifically recommended

DeepSeek is not on our list for pathology. Usable for general work, but first look at the options we recommend for pathology.

GDPR profileOur summary of what the provider itself publishes about your data: EU hosting possible, no training on your data for business use, and self-hosting available. Caution applies to a model with a documented problem, such as an investigation by a regulator. How we measure
GDPR: Caution
QualityQuality from blind duels on LMArena: users choose between two anonymous answers. A difference of about 20 points is noticeable, a few points is noise. How we measure
1475Elo, independent
Editorial scoreOur own assessment on 10 of suitability for professional work, price and privacy. This is a judgement, not a measurement; that is why it always sits alongside the Elo. How we measure
7,4
Entry price
Free
Full GDPR check

What DeepSeek does in pathology

Core tasks in pathology
  • Digitising and managing tissue slides in an image management system (scanners, LIMS, archive)
  • Detecting and grading cancer on H&E slides (e.g. Gleason score, mitotic counting, tumour size)
  • Counting and quantifying biomarkers in IHC stains (HER2, ER/PR, Ki-67, PD-L1)
  • Monitoring slide quality, prioritising cases and providing a second read as quality control
Where DeepSeek is strong
  • Very low API costs
  • Open weights (MIT), self-hostable
  • Strong at reasoning, maths and code
  • Large context window (1M tokens)

DeepSeek has a concrete GDPR concern. The DeepSeek service stores personal data in China and was blocked by the Italian regulator in January 2025. Not advisable for regulated sectors unless you host the model yourself within the EU. Weigh this heavily before deploying it in pathology.

Confidentiality and GDPR

GDPR: Caution

You process special category personal data (health) and sometimes data for genetic research. Software for diagnostic use is an in vitro diagnostic medical device: check whether the algorithm is CE-marked under the IVDR for your exact application and tissue type. Many apps are 'research use only'. Choose providers with ISO 27001 and ISO 13485, a data processing agreement and clear data location (EU hosting or on-premise). Also ask whether your slides are used to train models. Under the EU AI Act, medical AI falling under the IVDR is classed as high-risk. Validate every algorithm locally on your own scanner and stains before using it in routine practice.

The DeepSeek service stores data in China and uses it for training by default (with an opt-out). Only an EU self-hosted variant of the open weights is defensible for sensitive data.

Rule of thumb Use the business variant with a data processing agreement, and keep a human in the loop for decisions that matter.
Caution the DeepSeek service stores personal data in China and was blocked in January 2025 by the Italian regulator. Advised against for regulated sectors, unless you host the model yourself within the EU.

Prices

Chat / appFreeOn chat.deepseek.com
Self-hostingFreeOpen weights, your own compute costs
API (V4.1-Flash)$0.15 / 1M in$0.60 / 1M out (off-peak rate); peak hours (Mon–Fri 01–04 and 06–10 UTC) at double the price; cache-hit input $0.003 per 1M
API (V4-Pro)$0.66 / 1M in$1.98 / 1M out (off-peak rate); peak hours at double the price; cache-hit input $0.022 per 1M

Other models for pathology

Claude for pathologyAnthropic · editorial 9.01506Gemini for pathologyGoogle · editorial 8.61527Copilot for pathologyMicrosoft · editorial 8.31485Le Chat (Mistral) for pathologyMistral AI · editorial 8.41426
All options for pathology
Professional tools on DeepSeek

We do not know of a professional tool for pathology that publicly runs on DeepSeek.

Questions about DeepSeek for pathology

Is DeepSeek suitable for pathology?
Not specifically. DeepSeek is not on our list for pathology; it is broadly usable, but first look at the options we recommend for pathology. Keep a professional in the loop for every use.
May I put confidential data into DeepSeek?
You process special category personal data (health) and sometimes data for genetic research. Software for diagnostic use is an in-vitro diagnostic medical device: check whether the algorithm is CE-marked under the IVDR for precisely your application and tissue type. Many apps are only 'research use only'. Choose suppliers with ISO 27001 and ISO 13485, a data processing agreement and clear data location (EU hosting or on-premise). Also ask whether your slides are used to train models. Under the EU AI Act, medical AI falling under the IVDR is classed as high-risk. Validate every algorithm locally on your own scanner and stains before using it in routine practice. The DeepSeek service stores data in China and uses it for training by default (with opt-out). Only a self-hosted EU variant of the open weights is defensible for sensitive data.
What does DeepSeek cost?
There is Chat / app (Free), Self-hosted (Free), API (V4.1-Flash) ($0.15 / 1M in), API (V4-Pro) ($0.66 / 1M in). Check current prices on the official site.
Next stepAll 25 options for pathologyProfessional tools and general assistants side by side, on GDPR profile, price and quality.

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