How to Use DeepSeek on Janitor AI (2026 Setup)
To use DeepSeek on Janitor AI directly, create a DeepSeek API key, add a prepaid balance, then enter the full chat-completions endpoint and a current V4 model name in Janitor’s API settings. The setup is short; choosing the right billing route is the part that saves money and frustration.
There are now three distinct routes: direct DeepSeek API, Janitor+ Router and a third-party router such as OpenRouter. Do not mix their keys, model names or endpoints.
Key Takeaways
- Direct setup uses
https://api.deepseek.com/v1/chat/completions, not an OpenRouter URL- Start with
deepseek-v4-flash; choosedeepseek-v4-prowhen higher capability justifies the higher token rate- The official DeepSeek API is prepaid and metered by tokens, not a guaranteed free tier
- Janitor+ Router is easier but requires a Janitor+ subscription, a separate Router balance and currently works on web only
- Router credits are non-refundable except where law requires otherwise
- If you want a simpler alternative without API setup, see our Janitor AI alternatives guide
Choose your DeepSeek route first
| Route | What you pay | Setup | Best for | First cost limiter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Janitor free/JLLM | $0 | Built in | Testing Janitor before spending | Standard models and about 9k context |
| Janitor+ / JLLM+ | Live subscription price | Built in | Easier roleplay, priority and more context | Subscription renewal |
| Janitor+ Router | Janitor+ plus per-token wallet | No external key; web only | Switching third-party models in one place | Router balance and model rate |
| Direct DeepSeek API | Prepaid DeepSeek token usage | Manual key + endpoint | Current DeepSeek models and direct billing | Input/output tokens |
| OpenRouter | Provider/model dependent | External key + OpenRouter endpoint | Model variety and rotating free routes | Credits, daily caps and provider availability |
Janitor’s official subscription FAQ says Janitor+ adds five times more context, priority access and monthly swipes with its best models. Its newer Router lets subscribers browse supported third-party models, compare rates and context, and pay from a Router wallet without pasting an external key. Router is currently web-only and separate from JLLM+.
Direct DeepSeek is the right route when you specifically want DeepSeek’s current API models and billing. Router is the convenience route. OpenRouter is the variety route. JLLM+ is the low-fuss Janitor-native route.
Why connect DeepSeek directly?
Connecting your own DeepSeek API key changes this. Your requests go directly to DeepSeek’s servers, which are fast, reliable, and officially supported. You know exactly which model you’re running and what it costs.
If you are comparing the setup against a hosted adult-roleplay app, start with our no-filter AI chat apps guide first. Janitor is flexible, but the “free” part depends on the model you connect and how much you chat.
DeepSeek is attractive for Janitor AI users for three reasons:
- Price visibility: official rates are published per million input and output tokens
- Current models: the API now exposes
deepseek-v4-flashanddeepseek-v4-pro - Direct billing: you are not waiting for a community proxy or wondering which provider billed the request
Step 1: Create a DeepSeek Account and Get Your API Key
- Go to platform.deepseek.com and create an account
- Navigate to the API Keys section (usually under your account profile)
- Click “Create new API key”
- Name it something recognizable (e.g., “Janitor AI”)
- Copy the key immediately — you won’t be able to see it again
Your API key will look like: sk-xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Billing check: DeepSeek’s current documentation describes token billing, and Janitor’s official direct-API guide instructs users to top up a balance before creating the connection. Promotional credits can change; do not build the setup around assumed free usage.
Step 2: Get the DeepSeek API Endpoint
In Janitor AI’s Proxy URL field, use the full chat-completions endpoint:
https://api.deepseek.com/v1/chat/completionsDeepSeek’s SDK base URL is https://api.deepseek.com, but Janitor’s custom proxy field expects the full request endpoint. Mixing a base URL with a full endpoint is a common cause of 404 errors.
Step 3: Configure Janitor AI
- Log in to janitorai.com
- Click on your profile icon in the top right
- Select “API Settings” or “Configure API”
- Set API Source to Proxy or the current custom/OpenAI-compatible option
- In the Proxy URL field, enter:
https://api.deepseek.com/v1/chat/completions - In the API Key field, paste your DeepSeek key
- Save settings
Step 4: Select Your Model
After saving the API settings, you’ll need to specify which DeepSeek model to use. Enter the model name in the model field:
deepseek-v4-flash— lower-cost starting point for most chats; supports thinking and non-thinking modesdeepseek-v4-pro— higher-capability and higher-cost option for more demanding scenes
Start with deepseek-v4-flash. The older deepseek-chat and deepseek-reasoner names still appear in Janitor community guides, but DeepSeek’s live API documentation lists the V4 names above. A copied 2025 setup can have the right key and endpoint but still fail because its model name is stale.
Step 5: Test the Connection
- Start a conversation with any character
- Send a simple message
- If you see a response within a few seconds, your connection is working
- If you see an error, check:
- API key is copied correctly (no extra spaces)
- Endpoint URL is exact
- Your DeepSeek account has active credits
Common error: “Invalid API Key” — Double-check the key. A single character difference breaks it. Copy directly from the DeepSeek dashboard.
Common error: “Insufficient balance” or 402 — Add funds to the provider tied to the key. Janitor Router credits, DeepSeek balance and OpenRouter credits are three separate wallets.
Common error: 404 or model not found — Check that the endpoint is the full DeepSeek chat-completions URL and the model is currently listed by DeepSeek. Do not paste an OpenRouter model slug into a direct DeepSeek connection.
Common error: 429 — The provider is rate-limiting requests. Wait, reduce rerolls or switch routes; adding a Janitor+ subscription does not change a direct DeepSeek account’s provider limits.
Managing Costs
DeepSeek bills input and output separately, and prices differ between peak and off-peak windows. When checked on August 28, 2026, deepseek-v4-flash cost $0.22/$0.44 per million cache-miss input tokens and $0.66/$1.32 per million output tokens off-peak/peak. deepseek-v4-pro was three times those rates. Cache-hit input was much cheaper.
A concrete peak-rate Flash example: 10,000 uncached input tokens plus 2,000 output tokens costs about $0.007. That is inexpensive, but long histories, high output limits and repeated rerolls multiply the bill. Set a small prepaid balance first and watch provider usage before increasing it.
Janitor+ Router shows each model’s rate in the interface and bills the same way: per token. It has no separate Router fee beyond Janitor+ and the wallet usage. Launch credits are useful for testing, expire one year after claim and are non-refundable except where required by law.
DeepSeek vs. Other API Options for Janitor AI
| Model | Cost | Speed | Roleplay Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| DeepSeek V4 Flash | Lowest direct DeepSeek rate | Fast starting route | General chat and roleplay |
| DeepSeek V4 Pro | 3x Flash token rate in current table | Capability-first | Demanding scenes and instructions |
| Janitor JLLM+ | Included with Janitor+ | Easiest | Everyday Janitor roleplay |
| Janitor+ Router model | Varies by listed model | Easy switching | Third-party models without API keys |
| OpenRouter model | Varies by provider | Flexible | Rotating free/paid model choice |
There is no universal cheapest route because the prompt length and output length drive token cost. Flash is the sensible direct-DeepSeek starting point; JLLM+ is the simpler hosted route.
If token billing is the part you are trying to estimate, use the broader AI companion token-cost guide. Janitor’s API setup behaves more like a pay-per-use model than a fixed subscription.
When to Consider a Different Approach
If you find the API setup process frustrating or want something that just works without configuration, you have options:
SpicyChat AI runs on managed servers with no API setup required. Adult content is available. Less flexible than Janitor AI but significantly easier to use.
Kindroid is a full companion app with its own managed infrastructure, strong memory, and encrypted conversations. If what you actually want is a companion that grows with you over time (not just roleplay sessions), Kindroid is the better answer.
See our full companion ranking if you want a broader view of what’s available.
For Janitor AI specifically, DeepSeek remains a strong low-cost API option. Use current V4 model names, keep the three wallets separate and choose Router only when the convenience is worth paying for both Janitor+ and tokens.
Sources & references
- DeepSeek API documentation — current base URL, V4 model names and request format: Your First API Call
- DeepSeek API documentation — current Flash/Pro peak and off-peak token rates: Models & Pricing
- Janitor AI Help — official direct DeepSeek setup and proxy field: Beginner’s Proxy Guide, Part Two
- Janitor AI Help — Janitor+ free/paid context, priority and cancellation: Subscription FAQ
- Janitor AI Help — Router availability, wallet billing, discounts and refund limits: janitor+ Router
Frequently asked questions
Can you use DeepSeek on Janitor AI?
Yes. Janitor AI supports a custom proxy/API configuration, so you can connect a DeepSeek API key and use DeepSeek models. Janitor+ subscribers can also use the web-only Router without managing an external API key.
Is DeepSeek free to use on Janitor AI?
Do not assume the official DeepSeek API is free. DeepSeek documents token-based billing and Janitor AI’s own setup guide tells users to add a prepaid balance. Free DeepSeek routes on OpenRouter can exist, but their model names and limits change.
Which DeepSeek model works best on Janitor AI?
Start with deepseek-v4-flash for lower-cost general chat. Use deepseek-v4-pro when capability matters more than price. DeepSeek’s current API docs no longer list the old deepseek-chat and deepseek-reasoner names as the primary models.
Why is DeepSeek better than Janitor AI proxies?
A direct DeepSeek key gives you provider pricing and the newest official model names, but requires manual setup and a separate prepaid balance. Janitor+ Router removes key management; OpenRouter offers more model choice but adds another provider and its own limits.
What is Janitor+ Router?
Janitor+ Router is a web-only subscriber feature that provides third-party models inside Janitor AI without an external proxy or API key. Usage is billed per token from a Router wallet, and listed rates and context limits vary by model.