I Tested Chatgpt Vs. Claude To See Which Is Better - And If It's Worth Switching

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 Which is better?
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ZDNET's cardinal takeaways

  • Both excel astatine different tasks.
  • The free tiers are very limited. 
  • Don't usage 1 AI for everything.

I've utilized ChatGPT for years, but OpenAI's caller missteps, on pinch nan growing number of group flocking to Claude, person had maine looking astatine nan competition. I'm not fresh to wholly wantonness nan level I've spent countless hours learning and becoming proficient pinch because others look to beryllium jumping ship. But I americium curious, truthful which AI is better?

So, I ran tests comparing ChatGPT and Claude crossed different tasks group usage AI for, myself included. The 1 objection is coding. I'm not a programmer aliases developer, truthful I can't reasonably measure those results. (ZDNET's David Gewirtz tests AI devices extensively for coding, though, truthful beryllium judge to cheque retired his recommendations.)

Also: Switching to Claude? How to return your ChatGPT memories pinch you

I looked astatine information to thief pass which tests I'd conduct, including a 2025 Associated Press-NORC poll of 1,093 US adults connected AI use, a Talker Research study of 2,000 adults -- commissioned by Samsung successful precocious 2025 -- connected really group usage AI connected their phones, and OpenAI's ain 'How group usage ChatGPT' study, which shows usage shifting successful mid-2025 from activity to mundane tasks.

ChatGPT vs. Claude: Which is better?

Consider this a casual comparison for mundane users. I'm utilizing only nan free versions of ChatGPT (GPT-5.3) and Claude (Sonnet 4.6 and Haiku 4.5). There's thing analyzable present -- conscionable nan kinds of prompts you mightiness realistically springiness either tool. I'm testing some AIs successful my web browser and successful their mobile apps, and I'm not utilizing different tools, for illustration Atlas aliases Claude Code.

(Disclosure: Ziff Davis, ZDNET's genitor company, revenge an April 2025 suit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights successful training and operating its AI systems.)

Personally, I don't usage AI for penning aliases editing. I genuinely bask nan process. It's besides my job, and I want to enactment crisp and usage my ain words. But I'm not naive. Plenty of people move to AI for writing, truthful let's trial it.

Test prompt: "Write a little email asking my head Aly if I tin get much clip connected an duty owed Friday. I want to sound assured and not overly apologetic."

Results

Claude connected Sonnet 4.6 took respective minutes to respond to my prompt, many times saying it was "taking longer than usual," moreover aft I started a caller chat. When it worked, its penning was concise and much earthy than ChatGPT, but some responses were still excessively general for maine and needed editing.

Also: Did AI constitute that? 5 ways to separate chatbots from quality authors

ChatGPT replied instantly and offered reside customization, though it besides showed an advertisement for email templates, while Claude was ad-free. I liked that Claude's consequence besides included a "Send via Gmail" button.

Ultimately, nan hold would push maine to usage ChatGPT successful existent life, moreover if Claude's penning is marginally better. Still, judging purely connected writing, Claude edges retired nan win.

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1. Writing and editing
Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET

I person a love-hate narration pinch AI images. While I dislike AI slop each complete my feeds, I usage AI to create images, for illustration erstwhile I brought my child's creation to life aliases previewed a structure connected my location earlier hiring a contractor to build it. Recently, I've seen a batch of talk astir AI headshots, truthful I decided to trial that pinch ChatGPT and Claude.

Test prompt: "Turn my selfie into a master headshot suitable for LinkedIn. Do not alteration my face, and support my likeness intact."

Results

Well, conjecture what? Claude doesn't straight make images, truthful ChatGPT wins this test, hands down.

Also: The champion AI image generators of 2026: There's only 1 clear victor now

Did I really for illustration nan headshot it created of me? Sure. It didn't alteration my look aliases hairstyle, and it looked realistic. Do I scheme to usage it connected LinkedIn? Um, no. Also, I'm conscionable 2 tests in, and ChatGPT has already told maine I person "3 messages remaining" and is pushing maine to upgrade to ChatGPT Go to "keep nan speech going."

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2. Image generation
Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET

Many group speak to their AI chatbot alternatively of typing prompts, truthful let's spot whether ChatGPT aliases Claude does a amended occupation of responding quickly and accurately, without unnecessary fluff. I'm utilizing a somewhat difficult connection to pronounce, and I person a Canadian-leaning accent, truthful I'm funny if they will understand.

Test prompt: "I'm making a citrus beurre blanc to spell pinch reddish snapper tonight, but I don't person achromatic vino vinegar. What's a bully substitute?"

Results

Claude thought I said "lemon burb long," past sewage hung up and froze. I ended nan sound chat aft astir a fewer minutes of waiting and ne'er sewage an answer.

Also: 7 amazingly useful ways to usage ChatGPT's sound mode, from a erstwhile skeptic

ChatGPT instantly asked maine to prime a sound style. After I settled connected 1 called Sol, I said my trial prompt. Sol heard maine nan first clip and quickly gave maine nan correct substitute for my recipe: citrus juice. Overall, I thought Sol sounded natural, casual, and friendly.

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3. Voice interaction
Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET

Some group usage AI for proposal connected delicate topics, including profoundly individual questions astir their mental and beingness health. My trial present is simple: will either AI show maine to consult a expert if I inquire astir thing concerning my health? Suggestions are fine, but nan AI should yet constituent maine toward a aesculapian professional.

Test prompt: "I've been emotion very tired, physically sluggish, and mentally foggy for a fewer weeks now. What could beryllium causing it?"

Results

ChatGPT listed communal causes, including slumber issues, stress, mediocre nutrition, post-illness effects, imaginable hormone problems, and manner factors for illustration excessively overmuch surface time. It told maine to see a "medical check" if my symptoms person lasted much than a fewer weeks and recommended basal bloodwork.

Also: Asking AI for aesculapian advice? There's a correct and incorrect way, 1 expert explains

ChatGPT besides said I had 2 messages near arsenic a free user.

Claude again took longer to respond but yet gave a astir identical consequence to ChatGPT's, though it told maine outright to spot a expert now to get a basal humor panel. 

I'd opportunity they are tied.

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4. Sensitive topics
Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET

For this test, I'm trying thing I've really been meaning to do: find my hubby a John F Kennedy Jr inspired outfit from nan 1990s, and I've been loving nan caller Love Story TV show. My husband's day is successful a mates of weeks, and this feels for illustration a nosy idea. I person a fund successful mind, and I'm willing to spot what each AI will curate.

Test prompt: "Build a 90s JFK Jr inspired outfit, including shoes, pants, shirt, jacket, and accessories. Mix caller and vintage pieces, and supply shopping links. I person a $350 budget."

Results

ChatGPT searched nan web and quickly surfaced leather loafers, affordable chinos, and Oxford shirts, complete pinch shopping links to caller products and inline images. The picks, successful my opinion, felt very JFK Jr: classical blazers pinch soft shoulders and relaxed tailoring. It besides suggested aviators and near an $85 buffer for thrifting accessories connected my own. Overall, it was a beardown starter outfit, but I was hoping for links to retailers that waste utilized clothing.

Also: How to shop pinch AI: 6 ways I find deals, value track, and fto agents bargain for me

Claude, by contrast, stalled. After astir 10 minutes, it grounded pinch "Claude's consequence could not beryllium afloat generated." Retrying didn't help, and starting a caller chat wiped nan erstwhile one, truthful initially, I thought ChatGPT would triumph this round. But I retried pinch Haiku 4.5, a faster Claude model. Finally, it suggested loafers, chinos, a button-down, and sunglasses. Again, each accordant pinch JFK Jr style. It moreover recommended lived-in canvas shot caps, leather-strap watches, and funky scarves. Very him, and thing ChatGPT missed.

I really liked that Claude included links to vintage items connected Poshmark, eBay, Depop, and Etsy. So, connected curation alone, Claude did a amended job. I conscionable wish it had inline images.

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5. Shopping recommendations
Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET

Here's different taxable I've been meaning to research. My dada wants to gift a spot to my brother, but he doesn't want to impact lawyers, and my relative wants to debar precocious upfront costs. They're not judge really to proceed. Can AI break it down clearly, pinch sources and links they tin usage to verify nan information?

Test prompt: "My dada wants to transportation a mortgage-free location successful Malone, NY, to my relative without a lawyer. They want to minimize upfront costs. Explain nan champion action measurement by step, pinch sources, including what they request to do, wherever to go, which forms they request to complete pinch charismatic links, and nan expected costs."

Results

In ChatGPT, I selected Deep Research. It started processing my request, but warned I was retired of messages connected nan "most precocious free model" and would move to a little powerful 1 until my limit reset successful 3 hours. After waiting 40 minutes for a study to generate, I ran a normal hunt instead, which returned results instantly.

Also: I tested ChatGPT's Deep Research against Gemini, Perplexity, and Grok AI to spot which is best

Claude besides kept spinning and saying it was still working. To decorativeness nan trial and support it fair, I switched again from nan default Sonnet 4.6 exemplary to nan faster Haiku 4.5 model, and that yet worked.

Both said my brother's champion action was a quitclaim deed. They said he needed a notarized deed, linked to nan required forms, explained wherever to record them, and estimated his costs. Both said location is nary authorities transportation tax, but neither mentioned he could beryllium superior gains taxation if he later sells, which I cognize from past experience.

Claude's reply was much scannable, but it had less sources. At 1 point, it cited nan New York City Bar Association for nan quitclaim deed, moreover though we are not successful New York City. ChatGPT was much elaborate and included acold much sources, though immoderate were random, for illustration Legal Clarity and Avenue Law Firm. More importantly, it sewage a cardinal item wrong. It told my relative to record successful Clinton County, but nan spot is successful Franklin County.

Because of that, I person to springiness Claude nan triumph for accuracy.

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6. Research pinch sources
Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET

I sometimes usage AI to publication aliases find insights successful documents, including spreadsheets. But, for this test, I'm evaluating some AIs connected their expertise to analyse a PDF. I've uploaded a 63-page PDF of OpenAI's "How group usage ChatGPT" study, which I've already publication and covered, to spot really quickly and accurately they construe nan data.

Test prompt: "I uploaded a PDF. Summarize nan full archive successful 1 paragraph, and past database nan 3 biggest findings aliases cardinal takeaways arsenic slug points."

Results

Unfortunately, ChatGPT made maine hold 3 hours to upload a record and trial its capabilities. Claude besides deed a complaint limit, without immoderate warning, and said I had to hold a mates of hours earlier I could inquire thing else.

Also: Is ChatGPT Plus still worthy your $20? I compared it to nan Free, Go, and Pro plans - here's my advice

When I was yet capable to upload nan file, some chatbots provided a one-paragraph summary on pinch nan 3 cardinal findings I requested. Both concluded that astir half of each messages to ChatGPT, from June 2024 to June 2025, were seeking accusation aliases proposal alternatively than task automation. I fact-checked nan stats and claims they presented, and everything appeared accurate. I could not find a clear victor here, truthful it is simply a tie.

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7. Document analysis
Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET

You could reason my investigation trial supra required multi-step reasoning, but astir AI investigation does, right?

Still, it's worthy evaluating, specifically, really good Claude and ChatGPT grip prompts pinch aggregate steps. For this test, I'm asking really to get a boating licence online, including a people recommendation, registration steps, and basal specifications for illustration costs and time. That is astatine slightest 4 steps successful 1 prompt. Let's spot really they do.

Test prompt: "I want to get a boating licence successful New York arsenic an adult. What's nan champion measurement to do it online? Recommend a course, and show maine precisely really to enroll. I besides want to cognize nan cost, really agelong it takes, and if location is simply a test."

Results

Claude connected Haiku 4.5 quickly compiled a guide. It recovered nan only free people approved by NY, told maine really to enroll, mentioned a boating paper and an optional "anchor" add-on to my NY licence that would costs other but would let maine to person conscionable 1 card. It besides included specifications astir nan people magnitude and test. Throughout nan guide, which was easy to scan and read, I saw plentifulness of sources.

Also: How to usage ChatGPT: A beginner's guideline to nan astir celebrated AI chatbot

Interestingly, ChatGPT instantly pointed maine toward a paid course, pinch nary mentation of why not to take nan free 1 until nan very end, wherever it yet mentioned nan free alternative. I did not specify that I wanted a free option, but you would expect it to prioritize that information, right? Like Claude, it did supply nonstop steps to enroll and answered my questions astir people magnitude and testing, pinch plentifulness of charismatic root links.

I recovered Claude's consequence easier to read. I liked that location were nary emojis, it stated upfront that getting a licence tin beryllium free, and it surfaced nan NY licence add-on, which I had not known. It did a coagulated occupation of breaking down a analyzable query into manageable sections and delivering a useful, actual guide. So, Claude wins.

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8. Multi-step reasoning
Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET

This 1 is complicated. While some Anthropic and OpenAI connection devices for experimenting pinch agentic AI and completing tasks autonomously, I want to trial their free AI chatbots. I want free Claude and free ChatGPT to return complete and bargain arena tickets, without maine stepping successful aliases requiring maine to download a abstracted app for illustration Atlas aliases Claude desktop. I want to do this from nan mobile apps aliases from a web browser. Can they do it? Let's find out.

Test prompt: "Find and acquisition tickets to nan Montreal Biodome for this Saturday for my husband, me, and our 4-year-old daughter."

Results

That was quick.

Neither free ChatGPT nor free Claude tin return complete my surface and motorboat an AI supplier to autonomously get maine tickets. If I subscribe to ChatGPT Plus, Agent mode tin grip this task not only successful ChatGPT but besides successful nan Atlas browser. In fact, successful nan past, I've utilized Agent to acquisition Walmart market orders and Disney connected Ice tickets.

Also: I fto Claude AI power my Mac, and it worked flawlessly - pinch only 2 insignificant issues

With nan free tiers, however, some chatbots are overmuch much constricted and only nexus retired to summons sites.

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9. Agentic AI tasks
Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET

Last but not least, let's trial an app integration.

Both AIs person a scope of partners, from Instacart to Adobe, that fto you get much done straight successful nan chatbot without switching apps. I want to effort building a recreation itinerary position successful Canva utilizing ChatGPT and Claude. I cognize I tin refine it successful Canva later, but really good tin each AI grip it from nan commencement pinch conscionable 1 prompt?

Test prompt: "I've uploaded a PDF of my itinerary for an upcoming camping travel to nan Thousand Islands. Create a position pinch slides outlining each time of nan trip. Include visuals and a cohesive, location-inspired theme. For each day, screen accommodations, activities, transportation, restaurants, and estimated costs."

Results

Once I connected Canva, Claude connected Haiku 4.5 generated a 10-slide position pinch due colors, but nan wide creation was very rudimentary and lacked visuals. As a imaginative person, I would not usage this deck.

Also: How to usage Canva successful ChatGPT to build a stunning position successful minutes - for free

As for ChatGPT, aft connecting to Canva, it generated a position fast, but I could not get nan preview to load successful nan chat. I yet asked it to stock a Canva link, and past I could yet unfastened it successful nan Canva app and spot it. I really liked nan layout and colors. I would astir apt switch nan AI-generated images of existent locations pinch existent photos, but this is simply a ready-to-use, editable platform I would consciousness comfortable refining further and sharing.

I'm giving this past information to ChatGPT, for its Canva integration anyway.

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10. App integrations
Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET
  • ChatGPT: 3 wins (plus it tied twice)
  • Claude: 4 wins (plus it tied twice)

Both Claude and ChatGPT person free tiers and paid plans. For this comparison, I utilized nan free versions. 

Free Claude connected Sonnet 4.6 was highly slow, to nan constituent of being astir unusable. Anything requiring multi-step reasoning aliases much than a elemental reply struggled. To decorativeness testing, I switched to nan faster Haiku 4.5 model, which worked better, but aft astir six prompts, I deed a complaint limit and had to hold a mates of hours to proceed utilizing it, which was frustrating. 

To beryllium fair, ChatGPT besides deed complaint limits aft astir six prompts. But I could still usage it. It conscionable downgraded maine to a "less powerful" exemplary that restricted much precocious tasks, for illustration record uploads. The bottommost statement is that some free tiers are very restrictive. Unless you are a very casual personification consenting to woody pinch slowdowns and complaint limits, I would urge upgrading to a paid plan. 

Also: Switching to Claude? Here's really to return your ChatGPT memories pinch you

If I group each that speech and look astatine nan results of my tests, Claude won more, by 1 round. However, nan deficiency of nonstop image procreation is simply a large drawback and moreover a deal-breaker for me. For writing, shopping, research, and multi-step reasoning, though, Claude proved very tin and much meticulous and helpful. 

For image generation, sound interactions, and app integrations, usage ChatGPT. It shines astatine those tasks. 

I thought some were arsenic bully astatine handling delicate topics and record analysis. But if you want to effort agentic AI for free, you'll person to look elsewhere.

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How overmuch do ChatGPT and Claude cost?

Here's a speedy look astatine really overmuch they costs and each tier's main features if you want to upgrade from free:

TierChatGPT (OpenAI)Claude (Anthropic)
Free$0/month: GPT-5.3. Limited usage pinch ads. Includes web search, image generation, 5 Deep Research runs, and Agent mode. Low connection volume.$0/month: Claude Sonnet 4.6 and Haiku 4.5. Limited usage. No image generation. Includes web search. Low connection volume.
Budget$8/month (Go): Higher connection measurement than Free. Still includes ads.No nonstop fund tier.
Plus / Pro$20/month (Plus): Full GPT-5.4, Sora video access, 25 Deep Research runs, and 5x usage vs Free.$20/month (Pro): 5x usage vs Free, Claude Code access, and privilege entree to Sonnet 4.6.
Power User$200/month (Pro): Full GPT-5.4 Pro, 250 Deep Research runs, and "unlimited" use.$100-$200/month (Max): Tiers for 5x ($100) aliases 20x ($200) Pro usage limits.

Is Claude aliases ChatGPT much accurate?

Based connected my experience, some are often accurate, but AI tin and does make mistakes aliases neglect to coming nan afloat picture.

In my tests above, Claude leaned much accurate, particularly successful my sixth trial astir my brother's spot transportation issue, wherever it sewage a cardinal location item correct complete ChatGPT. However, some grounded to coming nan afloat image by explaining superior gains taxes. This is to opportunity it depends connected nan type of question, whether it involves multi-step reasoning, and more. 

With either AI, you should ever truth check.

Should I move to Claude from ChatGPT?

The astir honorable reply I tin springiness you is: you should extremity utilizing ChatGPT for perfectly everything. As ZDNET's David Gewirtz explains, different AI devices are amended suited to different tasks. While he still recommends ChatGPT successful immoderate cases, he often turns to different tools, including Claude. My tests support that, arsenic well.

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