DeepSeek API · Prepaid balance

Top up your DeepSeek API balance with a virtual card

The DeepSeek chat is free, but the API runs on a prepaid balance. If your card fails on the Top up page, use a ScarabPay virtual Visa loaded with USDT to add funds in US dollars.

Get your card See the steps

How your DeepSeek API balance is used

Unlike a monthly plan, the API spends your balance as you send requests. Understanding this helps you plan top-ups.

01

Billed per token

Every request uses input and output tokens, and the cost is deducted from your balance shortly after the call.

02

Granted vs. topped-up balance

Your dashboard may show promotional or granted credit separately from the funds you paid for; check which one is being used first.

03

Watch usage per key

The usage pages show spend by day and by API key, so you can spot a runaway script before the balance runs out.

Why your card gets declined on DeepSeek

Top-ups on the DeepSeek platform fail for a handful of reasons linked to cross-border billing and how the API uses your balance.

What you seePayment failed

Your bank blocks a charge abroad

The platform is run by a company based in China. Many local cards refuse online payments to merchants in another country, so the top-up is declined.

The fix

The ScarabPay virtual card is built for international online payments in USD.

What you seeInsufficient Balance

Your requests stop when the balance runs out

This is the API reply when your prepaid balance reaches zero. Calls stop right away until new funds arrive.

The fix

Top up before the balance gets low, and keep the card loaded for the next top-up.

What you seeCard verification failed

The checkout cannot confirm the card

A billing address from another country, or several quick retries in a row, can make the payment page reject the card.

The fix

Enter the name from your ScarabPay account and wait a while before trying again.

Free chat app or paid API platform?

platform.deepseek.com
Recommended

API platform at platform.deepseek.com

  • You pay only for the tokens your requests use, from a prepaid balance
  • Top-ups are one-time card payments made on the Top up page
  • Usage and remaining balance are shown in the platform dashboard
App Store · Google Play

DeepSeek chat app and website

  • There is no paid plan to buy for the chat itself
  • You cannot add API balance from inside the chat app
  • Messages in the chat app do not draw on your API balance

How to pay for DeepSeek step by step

On ScarabPay
  1. 1

    Join ScarabPay

    Register on the website or the Android app and verify your identity.

  2. 2

    Send USDT to your balance

    Deposit USDT from your wallet or exchange into ScarabPay.

  3. 3

    Create and fund the card

    Create the reloadable virtual card and load the amount you plan to top up, plus a small margin.

On DeepSeek
  1. 4

    Sign in to the API platform

    Open platform.deepseek.com in a browser and log in to the account that owns your API keys.

  2. 5

    Open Top up

    Go to the Top up page in the billing area, enter the amount and choose card payment.

  3. 6

    Check the new balance

    After the payment, the balance in your dashboard updates and your API keys can make requests again.

Which ScarabPay card should you use?

•••• 0000
Card Holder02/30
Virtual · Recommended

API work usually means topping up again and again as usage grows. The reloadable virtual card can be used for every top-up — just add USDT to it before the next one.

•••• 0000
Card Holder02/30
Lite · Not for subscriptions

Lite covers a single payment. It could pay for one top-up, but it cannot be reloaded, so you would need a new card for the next one.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to pay to use the DeepSeek chat?

No. The chat app and website are free. Payment is only needed for the API, which developers use from their own code and tools.

What happens when my API balance reaches zero?

The API answers with an "Insufficient Balance" error and stops serving requests until you top up again.

Which payment methods will I see?

DeepSeek decides the options per account region. When card payment is offered, you can use the ScarabPay virtual card.

Can I get unused balance back?

Refunds of unused balance follow DeepSeek’s own terms. Contact DeepSeek support from the platform if you need one.

Is this a subscription?

No. Each top-up is a one-time payment. Nothing renews automatically, so you decide when to add more funds.

Pay for other services too

ChatGPTGet ChatGPT Plus with a virtual Visa card ClaudeSubscribe to Claude Pro with a virtual card PerplexityUpgrade to Perplexity Pro with a virtual Visa card All virtual card usesYour card works wherever Visa or Mastercard is accepted. These are the payments our customers make most often.

Ready to top up your DeepSeek balance?

Create your account, top up with USDT and get your virtual card in minutes.

Get your card Create a free account

DeepSeek is a trademark of Hangzhou DeepSeek Artificial Intelligence Co., Ltd. ScarabPay is not affiliated with or endorsed by DeepSeek. Payment options depend on your region; the amount is confirmed on the payment page. Visa is a registered trademark of Visa International Service Association. Mastercard is a registered trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated. Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay and all other brand names belong to their respective owners and are shown only to describe where cards can be used; they do not imply endorsement. Card availability, fees and limits are shown in your account and may change.