Quick comparison
| ChatGPT (OpenAI) | Claude (Anthropic) | Gemini (Google) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Current flagship | GPT-5.6 (Sol / Sol Pro / Terra / Luna) | Fable 5.1, Opus 5, Sonnet 5 | Gemini 3.1 Pro / 3 Pro |
| Entry paid plan | $8/mo (Go) | $20/mo (Pro) | $4.99/mo (Plus) |
| Mid paid plan | $20/mo (Plus) | $100+/mo (Max) | $19.99/mo (Pro) |
| Top tier | $100–$200/mo (Pro) | $100+/mo (Max) | $99.99–$200/mo (Ultra) |
| Free tier | Yes (Luna model) | Yes (Sonnet & Haiku) | Yes (limited usage) |
| Context window | Varies by model | Up to 1M tokens | Varies by model |
ChatGPT (OpenAI)
ChatGPT runs the GPT-5.6 family: Sol (primary), Sol Pro (most capable), Terra (balanced), and Luna (fastest and default for free users). GPT-6 Pro is reserved for the highest tier[1]. It's the most feature-complete of the three: multimodal input, file uploads, data analysis, voice, and native image generation in a single subscription.
Pricing: ChatGPT Go $8/mo, Plus $20/mo, Pro at $100 and $200/mo[2]. The free and Go tiers default to GPT-5.6 Luna and can't access Sol[1].
Best for: people who want one tool that does a little of everything, plus the largest ecosystem of third-party integrations.
Claude (Anthropic)
Claude's lineup spans Fable 5.1 (long-horizon agent work), Opus 5, Sonnet 5, and Haiku 4.5, with context windows up to 1M tokens[3][4]. It stands out for long-document work, Artifacts, Claude Code, and cross-conversation memory.
Pricing: Pro $20/mo ($17/mo billed annually), Max from $100/mo, Team $20/seat/mo[3]. The free tier only unlocks Sonnet and Haiku — no Opus or Fable[3].
Best for: writers, researchers, and developers who need to work with very long documents or codebases and value a clean writing voice.
Gemini (Google)
Gemini offers Gemini 3.1 Pro and Gemini 3 Pro, plus Gemini Omni for video generation and Gemini Spark as a 24/7 personal agent[5]. Its killer feature is depth of Google integration: Gmail, Docs, Sheets, and Deep Research[5].
Pricing: Google AI Plus $4.99/mo (400GB storage), Pro $19.99/mo (5TB), Ultra from $99.99 to $200/mo[6]. Usage is metered relative to non-subscribers (Plus 2x, Pro 4x, Ultra up to 20x)[5][6].
Best for: Google Workspace users and anyone who wants the cheapest paid entry point with solid reasoning and research features.
Verdict by use case
| Use case | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Long-form writing & documents | Claude | Strong prose and 1M-token context for whole-document work[3] |
| Multimodal & image generation | ChatGPT | Native image, voice, and data analysis in one plan[1] |
| Google Workspace users | Gemini | Deep Gmail / Docs / Sheets integration[5] |
| Lowest cost | Gemini | Paid entry at $4.99/mo[6] |
| Coding & agent work | Claude | Claude Code and long-horizon Fable 5.1[4] |
FAQ
Can I use all three for free?
Yes. All three have free tiers, but each restricts access to its best models: ChatGPT Free gets Luna, Claude Free gets Sonnet and Haiku, and Gemini Free has metered usage[1][3][5].
Which one is best for a small business team?
Claude Pro for the writer/editor, Gemini for Google Workspace-heavy staff, and ChatGPT Plus for generalists. If you must pick one seat, Claude Pro or ChatGPT Plus are the two to trial first.
Sources
- OpenAI Help — "GPT-5.6 and GPT-6 Pro in ChatGPT" — help.openai.com
- OpenAI — "Introducing ChatGPT Go" — openai.com
- Anthropic — Claude pricing — claude.com/pricing
- Anthropic — "Claude Fable 5" — anthropic.com
- Google — "Everything new in our Google AI subscriptions (I/O 2026)" — blog.google
- Google — AI plans — one.google.com
- Gemini API — pricing — ai.google.dev
- DeepSeek — API pricing — api-docs.deepseek.com
- Mistral — pricing — mistral.ai