ChatGPT vs other AI tools — a plain English comparison
Five tools. One page. Plain English.
ChatGPT (OpenAI)
Best for: Writing, research, analysis, general thinking and problem-solving.
Where: chat.openai.com or ChatGPT app.
Cost: Free version capable; Plus $20/month.
Weakness: Doesn't search the web in real time by default; occasionally gets facts wrong.
Microsoft Copilot (Microsoft)
Best for: Work tasks inside Microsoft 365 — email summaries, meeting notes, document drafts.
Where: Already inside Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel.
Cost: Depends on your company's Microsoft licence.
Weakness: Only useful if your company has enabled it; less flexible for tasks outside Microsoft.
Claude (Anthropic)
Best for: Longer, more nuanced writing and analysis; tasks where tone and judgment matter.
Where: claude.ai or Claude app.
Cost: Free version strong; Pro $20/month.
Weakness: Less widely known.
Gemini (Google)
Best for: Users in Google Workspace — Gmail, Docs, Sheets.
Where: gemini.google.com or inside Google apps.
Cost: Free version available.
Weakness: Less powerful outside Google ecosystem.
Perplexity
Best for: Research that needs current, sourced information. Answers show their sources.
Where: perplexity.ai or Perplexity app.
Cost: Free version excellent; Pro $20/month.
Weakness: Less useful for writing tasks.
Which one to start with?
- If you use Microsoft 365 at work: Copilot.
- If you don’t: ChatGPT.
- For research with sources: Perplexity.
- For nuanced writing: Claude.
- For Google Workspace users: Gemini.
Start with one. Add another when you have a specific reason. For a more detailed breakdown, see which one to start with.
— Anna
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