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Developer Tools · head to head

Deep Code vs Ory Kratos

Deep Code logo

Deep Code

Developer Tools

Desktop AI coding assistant that runs on DeepSeek models

From
Free
Free plan
Yes
Full reviewWebsite
Ory Kratos logo

Ory Kratos

Cybersecurity

Headless identity and user management API

From
Free
Free plan
Yes
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Deep Code model choice is narrow. Bring your own key covers DeepSeek-V4-Pro and Flash plus the GLM and Mimo coding plans, and no frontier model from OpenAI, Anthropic or Google.; Ory Kratos headless means you build every screen, which is significant work compared with a hosted login page
  • They diverge on capability: Deep Code covers DeepSeek-backed agent, Ory Kratos covers Headless API.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 15 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Deep Code and Ory Kratos actually diverge.

Attributes where Deep Code and Ory Kratos differ
AttributeDeep CodeOry Kratos
Pricing modelfreemiumOpen-source self-hosted, with a paid managed network
PlatformsWindows, macOS, LinuxLinux, Docker, Kubernetes, Self-hosted
CategoryDeveloper ToolsCybersecurity

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Deep Code

  • DeepSeek-backed agent
  • Session management
  • File explorer
  • Snippets panel
  • Voice input
  • Bring your own key

Only in Ory Kratos

  • Headless API
  • Self-service flows
  • Multi-factor authentication
  • Pluggable identity schemas

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Deep Code

  • AI-assisted coding on a budgetnot Ory Kratos
  • Debugging and bug fixingnot Ory Kratos
  • Refactoring existing codenot Ory Kratos
  • Reusing prompt templates across projectsnot Ory Kratos
  • Using an existing DeepSeek API key without proxy setupnot Ory Kratos

Ory Kratos

  • Products needing complete control over the look and flow of authenticationnot Deep Code
  • Applications that must not hand user identity data to a third partynot Deep Code
  • Teams building identity as infrastructure across several servicesnot Deep Code

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Deep Code

  • Model choice is narrow. Bring your own key covers DeepSeek-V4-Pro and Flash plus the GLM and Mimo coding plans, and no frontier model from OpenAI, Anthropic or Google.
  • The Pro tier caps included usage at 100 Pro Credits per day rather than offering an unmetered plan.
  • Bring your own key is a paid feature, so the free tier cannot be pointed at your own DeepSeek account.
  • Desktop only, with no editor extension, web version or team seat management as of September 2026.
  • A small, young vendor with no independent review coverage yet, so there is nothing outside the vendor's own site to corroborate the cost claim.

Ory Kratos

  • Headless means you build every screen, which is significant work compared with a hosted login page
  • More moving parts than a monolithic IAM: Kratos handles identity, and OAuth2 needs Ory Hydra alongside
  • Documentation assumes real familiarity with identity concepts and is not a gentle introduction
  • Self-hosting identity carries the security and availability burden that hosted providers absorb

Pricing, plan by plan

Deep Code

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Session management
    • File explorer and snippets panel
    • Voice input
  • Pro$5/month
    • All Free features
    • 100 daily Pro Credits
    • BYOK across DeepSeek-V4-Pro, DeepSeek-V4-Flash, GLM Coding Plan and Mimo Coding Plan

Ory Kratos

Free
  • Self-hostedFree
    • Full identity server
    • All flows
    • Community support

Which should you pick?

Choose Deep Code if

  • You need deepseek-backed agent.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, Linux.
  • You also want session management.
Deep Code review

Choose Ory Kratos if

  • You need headless api.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, Docker, Kubernetes, Self-hosted.
  • You also want self-service flows.
Ory Kratos review

Questions people ask

Is Deep Code or Ory Kratos better?
Neither clearly leads. Deep Code starts at Free and Ory Kratos at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Deep Code or Ory Kratos?
Deep Code starts at Free and Ory Kratos at Free.
Does Deep Code or Ory Kratos run on more platforms?
Deep Code runs on Windows, macOS, Linux. Ory Kratos runs on Linux, Docker, Kubernetes, Self-hosted.
Can I use Deep Code for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Deep Code best used for?
Deep Code is most often used for ai-assisted coding on a budget, debugging and bug fixing, refactoring existing code, reusing prompt templates across projects. Of those, ai-assisted coding on a budget and debugging and bug fixing are not what Ory Kratos is typically brought in for.
What can Deep Code do that Ory Kratos cannot?
Deep Code covers DeepSeek-backed agent, Session management, File explorer, Snippets panel. Ory Kratos covers Headless API, Self-service flows, Multi-factor authentication, Pluggable identity schemas.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Deep Code: Which models does Deep Code run on?

DeepSeek V4 family models, with the vendor's headline built around DeepSeek V4.1. The free tier's included credits run on DeepSeek-V4-Flash. Paid users bringing their own key can also use DeepSeek-V4-Pro, the GLM Coding Plan and the Mimo Coding Plan.

Source
Ory Kratos: Is Ory Kratos free?

Yes, open source and free to self-host. Ory Network is a paid managed service.

Deep Code: What does Deep Code cost?

There are two tiers. Free is $0 per month and includes session management, the file explorer, snippets, voice input and weekly free credits on DeepSeek-V4-Flash. Pro is $5 per month and adds 100 daily Pro Credits plus bring-your-own-key support for multiple models.

Source
Ory Kratos: What does headless mean here?

Kratos provides identity flows as APIs and no user interface. You build the login, registration and recovery screens yourself.

Deep Code: Do I need my own API key to use it?

No. The free tier includes weekly credits and needs no credit card, so the app works without a key. Bring your own key is available on the $5 per month Pro tier and covers DeepSeek-V4-Pro, DeepSeek-V4-Flash, the GLM Coding Plan and the Mimo Coding Plan.

Source
Ory Kratos: Does Kratos do OAuth2?

No. Kratos handles user identity; OAuth2 and OpenID Connect provider functionality is Ory Hydra, a separate component.

Deep Code: Which operating systems does it run on?

Windows, macOS and Linux. It is a desktop application rather than an editor extension, so it runs alongside whatever editor you already use.

Source
Deep Code: Is the 95 percent cheaper claim independently verified?

No. It is the vendor's own figure, based on DeepSeek token pricing against frontier model pricing. Actual savings depend on which model you compare against and how much of your usage falls inside the included credits.

Source
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