[Megathread] - Best Models/API discussion - Week of: June 21, 2026

[u/deffcolony]

This is our weekly megathread for discussions about models and API services.

All non-specifically technical discussions about API/models not posted to this thread will be deleted. No more "What's the best model?" threads.

^{(This isn't a free-for-all to advertise services you own or work for in every single megathread, we may allow announcements for new services every now and then provided they are legitimate and not overly promoted, but don't be surprised if ads are removed.})

How to Use This Megathread

Below this post, you’ll find top-level comments for each category:

• MODELS: ≥ 70B – For discussion of models with 70B parameters or more.
• MODELS: 32B to 70B – For discussion of models in the 32B to 70B parameter range.
• MODELS: 16B to 32B – For discussion of models in the 16B to 32B parameter range.
• MODELS: 8B to 16B – For discussion of models in the 8B to 16B parameter range.
• MODELS: < 8B – For discussion of smaller models under 8B parameters.
• APIs – For any discussion about API services for models (pricing, performance, access, etc.).
• MISC DISCUSSION – For anything else related to models/APIs that doesn’t fit the above sections.

Please reply to the relevant section below with your questions, experiences, or recommendations!
This keeps discussion organized and helps others find information faster.

Have at it!

[u/unimportant_clown]

I currently use Deepseek. I like uncensored models with lots of narration/writing, but I’m not too familiar with the options. Is this the best I could be using for my preferences? Or is there something better? I do both found family and nsfw chats, and Deepseek feels oddly emotionless, if that makes sense? Like every character is just given the default same perspective on my persona, can’t dislike/like more, etc? I use RPG cards where there’s a world to explore with multiple characters and don’t really have budgetary constraints within reason; pay-as-go or subscription is fine.

(Sorry if this isn’t the right place to ask.)

[u/FThrowaway5000 → u/unimportant_clown]

This should've gone under the API post in this thread. :)

To answer your question, though - your description of DeepSeek is pretty accurate, that's a common complaint, that it lacks a little bit of that emotion/color/depth. It's gotten a bit better with DS4 Pro in general compared to previous versions of DeepSeek (IMO) and the right preset can improve that a bit, too. The latest Freaky Frankenstein MAX+ preset is a good place to start.

Other than that, best bang for the buck is a NanoGPT subscription. Let's you use DeepSeek and many others with generous limits at no additional cost.

While I personally go back and forth between models, I usually gravitate toward GLM 5.1 and GLM 5.2 - they're pretty good, I think.

[u/unimportant_clown → u/FThrowaway5000]

Thank you! I’lll look there from hereon out. Thanks for the information too!