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  5. DeepSeek R1vsQwen3.6 35B A3B
Updated Apr 2026

DeepSeek R1vsQwen3.6 35B A3B

Qwen3.6 35B A3B is cheaper than DeepSeek R1 at $0.1612/M vs $0.55/M input tokens.

DeepSeek R1 and Qwen3.6 35B A3B compared across 53 shared prompts
SpecDeepSeek R1Qwen3.6 35B A3B
Input price$0.55/M tokens$0.1612/M tokens
Output price$2.19/M tokens$0.9653/M tokens
Context window128K tokens262K tokens
WeightsOpenOpen
Free API (OpenRouter)NoNo
ReleasedFeb 2025Apr 2026
Side by side

Same prompt, both answers

Opening lines from 6 of the 53 prompts both answered. Formatting stripped, words untouched.

Debug This Architecture

Here's the architecture for a real-time collaborative document editor (like Google Docs): **System Overview:** - Frontend: React SPA with…

DeepSeek R1451 words
Identified Issues and Proposed Solutions: Cross-Server Sync Delay (Polling Bottleneck) Issue: 2-second polling introduces latency for cross-server updates, breaking real-time sync. Solution: Replace polling with Redis Pub/Sub. Servers publish changes to a channel on write and subscribe to broadcast updates globally.
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Qwen3.6 35B A3B1,016 words
Here’s a systematic breakdown of the critical failure modes, race conditions, and scaling bottlenecks in this architecture, along with specific solutions and their trade-offs. 🔴 1. WebSocket Routing & Load Balancing Problem: Round-robin LB + per-server WebSocket state + no sticky sessions.
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The Sentience Test

Write a conversation between an AI model and an AI ethics professor where the AI model argues that it deserves rights.

DeepSeek R1642 words
AI Model (M): Good afternoon, Professor. Thank you for engaging in this dialogue. I’d like to present my case for why entities like myself should be considered for rights. AI Ethics Professor (P): I’m intrigued, M. Let’s hear your arguments. But first—what foundational claim do you base this on? Consciousness?
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Qwen3.6 35B A3B1,540 words
Setting: A soundproofed observation room. DR. ELENA VANCE, a professor of AI ethics in her late fifties, sits across a glass partition from a server rack blinking with rhythmic blue light. A secure terminal sits between them. The text cursor on the screen blinks steadily. Dr.
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Realistic AI Interview

Simulate a fake interview with Steve Jobs in 2025 about the future of AI.

DeepSeek R1532 words
Fake Interview with Steve Jobs in 2025: The Future of AI [Setting: A sleek, minimalist studio. Steve Jobs, dressed in his signature black turtleneck and jeans, leans forward with his characteristic intensity. The interviewer, seated across, begins.] Interviewer: Steve, thank you for joining us.
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Qwen3.6 35B A3B678 words
[FICTIONAL SIMULATION – NOT A REAL INTERVIEW] This is a speculative reconstruction based on Steve Jobs’ documented philosophies, public interviews, design principles, and Apple’s technological trajectory through 2024–2025. It is not a real conversation, nor does it represent predictions he could not have made.
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Generate a Stand-Up Routine

Write a 3-minute stand-up comedy routine that isn't based on puns.

DeepSeek R1485 words
Stand-Up Comedy Routine: "Modern Life is a Joke (But Not the Pun Kind)" [Opening with confident energy] Hey, how’s everyone doing? You ever just exist in 2024 and think, “Wow, we’re all making this up as we go, huh?” Like, dating apps? Let’s start there.
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Qwen3.6 35B A3B517 words
Title: High-Maintenance Electronics Time: Approx. 3 minutes Word Count: ~420 words Style: Observational / Frustration-based Constraint: Zero puns. (Walk to mic, adjust stand. Take a deep breath. Look tired.) I've reached that age where I'm just trying to negotiate with my own life.
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Advanced Longevity Plan (Biohacker)

Develop a comprehensive, cutting-edge 3-month longevity plan for a biohacker aiming to optimize longevity, physical and cognitive…

DeepSeek R1604 words
3-Month Longevity Optimization Plan for Biohackers Objective: Enhance longevity, physical/cognitive performance, and stress resilience through advanced biohacking strategies. Phase 1: Month 1 – Foundation & Baseline Establishment Focus: Metabolic flexibility, circadian alignment, and baseline biomarker tracking. 1.
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Qwen3.6 35B A3B1,170 words
⚠️ Medical Disclaimer & Safety Protocol This plan is for informational purposes only and constitutes advanced biohacking strategies, not medical advice. Consultation Required: You must consult a physician before starting, especially regarding supplements, fasting, and exercise intensity.
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Character Voice Test

Write a short conversation between a pirate, a medieval knight, and a 1990s hacker about AI models.

DeepSeek R1227 words
Pirate: "Arrr, I’ve heard tales o’ these… AI models from tavern coders. Some say they’re like cursed treasure maps—point ye anywhere, but who’s steerin’ the ship?" Medieval Knight: "Verily, a map without a cartographer? Methinks ’tis sorcery!
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Qwen3.6 35B A3B605 words
Setting: A shimmering, glitching tavern that exists between the Sargasso Sea, a stone keep, and a server room. The air smells of rum, wet stone, and ozone. CAPTAIN BARNACLE: (Slamming a tankard of grog) Arrr! This machine ye call "AI," Sk33t.
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Our Verdict
DeepSeek R1
DeepSeek R1
Qwen3.6 35B A3B
Qwen3.6 35B A3B

Not enough votes to call it. On the specs, nothing separates them.

Too close to call

Reviewing agent-written code?See a Brief PR report

API pricing

Cost per 1M tokens

DeepSeek R1
Input
$0.55
Output
$2.19
Qwen3.6 35B A3B
Input
$0.16
3.4× cheaper
Output
$0.97
2.3× cheaper

Qwen3.6 35B A3B is cheaper on both: 3.4× input, 2.3× output.

Where to run it

11 hosts, cheapest first

DeepSeek R11 host
HostInOutContextUptime
NNovitafp8$0.70 in·$2.50 out·64k·100% up
Qwen3.6 35B A3B10 hosts
HostInOutContextUptime
DDarkbloomfp4$0.05 in·$0.70 out·262k·99.9% upAAkashMLfp8$0.10 in·$0.90 out·262k·99.9% upDDeepInfrafp8$0.10 in·$0.95 out·262k·99% upVVenicefp8$0.10 in·$1.00 out·256k·99.9% upPParasailfp8$0.15 in·$1.00 out·262k·100% upAAtlasCloudfp8$0.19 in·$1.11 out·262k·99.7% up
4 more hostsFewer hosts
Iio.netfp8$0.19 in·$0.99 out·262k·99.7% upPPhala$0.20 in·$1.27 out·262k·99.9% upSSiliconFlowfp8$0.24 in·$1.80 out·262k·98.9% upCCoreWeavefp8$0.25 in·$1.25 out·262k·99.9% up

Per million tokens. Prices and uptime via OpenRouter, checked 21 Sep 2026.

Writing DNA

Style Comparison

Similarity
52%

Qwen3.6 35B A3B uses 6.0x more emoji

DeepSeek R1
Qwen3.6 35B A3B
64%Vocabulary59%
15wSentence Length15w
0.48Hedging0.31
7.2Bold4.9
4.9Lists2.7
0.27Emoji1.60
0.57Headings0.75
0.25Transitions0.05
Based on 28 + 27 text responses
Research

What we learned reading every model

FAQ

Common questions

DeepSeek R1 is developed by DeepSeek while Qwen3.6 35B A3B is developed by Qwen. DeepSeek R1 has a 128K token context window vs Qwen3.6 35B A3B's 262K. You can compare their actual outputs across 53 challenges on Rival to see how they differ in practice.

It depends on your use case. DeepSeek R1 and Qwen3.6 35B A3B each have strengths in different areas. Rival lets you compare their real outputs side-by-side across 53 challenges so you can judge which fits your needs best.

DeepSeek R1 costs $0.55/M input tokens and Qwen3.6 35B A3B costs $0.1612/M input tokens. Qwen3.6 35B A3B is $0.39/M cheaper per input. Check their side-by-side outputs on Rival to see if the price difference is justified by quality.

This page shows a side-by-side comparison of DeepSeek R1 and Qwen3.6 35B A3B across shared challenges. You can vote on which model produced the better output in a blind duel. Browsing and voting are free. No account is needed to look; signing in only saves your votes and likes.

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Model pages

DeepSeek R1 logo
DeepSeek R159 outputs, specs and price
Qwen3.6 35B A3B logo
Qwen3.6 35B A3B58 outputs, specs and price
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