Ways to Access DeepSeek Reliably

Since DeepSeek exploded in popularity around Lunar New Year, the web UI and APIs have been unreliable. Here are a few approaches I use to keep access steady.

“Servers are busy, please try again later.”

I’ll abbreviate DeepSeek as DS.

Option 1: Use an International Proxy

When accessing DS through an overseas proxy, Google login appears—which suggests a separate deployment with fewer real-name requirements. If domestic access is flaky, route traffic through a foreign proxy.

Option 2: Perplexity

Perplexity recently integrated DeepSeek R1 via its own U.S.-based deployment (not the official DS API). I haven’t hit errors yet.

Visit: https://www.perplexity.ai/

Notes

1. Free usage is limited.
2. Consider subscribing via iOS—first month is free. Start the subscription, then cancel in the App Store to keep benefits for the month. Stay subscribed if it fits your workflow.
3. Perplexity itself requires a proxy from mainland China.

Option 3: Tencent Cloud LKE

Tencent Cloud’s Large-model Knowledge Engine exposes DS through its own deployment: https://cloud.tencent.com/document/product/1759/116006

Notes

1. Tencent includes 500k free tokens; charges apply afterward.
2. The DS app within LKE also offers API access.

Option 4: SCNet

Service: https://chat.scnet.cn

Notes

1. The R1 model here isn’t a “full-power” version yet.
2. Currently free.

Final Thoughts

DS remains excellent; whichever channel you choose, it’s worth exploring.