AI Model Release Tracker - Timeline of Major AI Models from 2022-2026

DeepSeek V2 vs Kimi K2 Thinking

DeepSeek
DeepSeek V2
Moonshot AI
Kimi K2 Thinking
Overview
CompanyDeepSeekMoonshot AI
Release dateMay 6 2024Nov 6 2025
AccessOpen WeightOpen Weight
Specifications
Parameters
1T
Context window
256k
Benchmarks
Coding
SWE-Bench Verified
71.3%
Timeline
Release gapDeepSeek V2 shipped 549 days before Kimi K2 Thinking

Which is better: DeepSeek V2 or Kimi K2 Thinking?

DeepSeek V2 and Kimi K2 Thinking don't publish scores on any of the same benchmarks, so there's no direct head-to-head comparison. DeepSeek V2 shipped 549 days before Kimi K2 Thinking, so benchmark comparisons should account for the intervening progress.

Published specifications for these two models are limited — see each model page for the latest details.

Direct benchmark comparisons are unavailable — DeepSeek V2 and Kimi K2 Thinking don't publish scores on any of the same benchmarks.

Frequently asked questions

DeepSeek V2 was released by DeepSeek on May 6 2024.

Kimi K2 Thinking was released by Moonshot AI on Nov 6 2025.

Other comparisons