ChatGPT vs Claude
ChatGPT vs Claude: which is better for everyday use?
For most everyday tasks, ChatGPT is the more versatile choice: it adds image creation, a strong voice mode and study mode on its free plan. Claude is better if you mainly write, edit or work with long documents, because its writing tends to sound more natural. Both are free to try, and both paid plans start at US$20/month.
At a glance
| ChatGPT | Claude | |
|---|---|---|
| Made by | OpenAI | Anthropic |
| Free plan | Yes – Free plan: everyday text chats with fair-use limits, plus limited uploads, image creation, voice and deep research. | Yes – Free plan on web, desktop and mobile, with web search, memory and file creation; usage limits reset every five hours. |
| Paid from | US$8/month (Go, may include ads); Plus US$20/month; Pro from US$100/month. | US$20/month (Pro), or US$17/month billed annually; Max from US$100/month. |
| Best for | everyday questions, writing and editing, brainstorming, image creation, voice chat | careful writing, long documents, analysis, thoughtful explanations |
| Works on | web, iOS, Android, Windows, macOS | web, iOS, Android, Windows, macOS |
Which wins for what?
| Task | Our pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Everyday questions | ChatGPT | Fast, versatile, and its free plan includes voice and image features. |
| Writing and editing | Claude | Natural tone and careful edits on long drafts. |
| Long documents | Claude | Handles long files well; free plan includes file creation. |
| Images | ChatGPT | Creates images (limited on free); Claude is focused on text and documents. |
| Studying | Tie | ChatGPT has study mode; Claude gives patient explanations. |
| Price | Tie | Both have free plans; paid plans from US$20/month (Claude US$17/month annually; ChatGPT also has Go at US$8/month in the US). |
Choose ChatGPT if…
- You want one app for everything, including images and voice
- You'd like a cheaper paid tier (Go)
Choose Claude if…
- You mostly write, edit or read long documents
- You prefer a calmer, more natural writing style
Both have free plans, so the easiest test is to paste the same prompt into each – try one from the guides below.
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Prompts to test them side by side
Write a tricky work email
Rough guide only: 20–40 minutes
💼 Work & careerRefresh your CV for a specific job
Rough guide only: 2–3 hours
💼 Work & careerSummarise a long document or meeting notes
Rough guide only: 20–40 minutes each time
🎨 Creativity & hobbiesPlan and outline a book
Rough guide only: several evenings of planning
How we chose
These are editorial picks by Amara Lewis, based on what each tool's free and paid plans include, how easy it is for a beginner, and how well it suits this task. We have not run formal benchmark tests for this page, and no company paid to be listed. Read how we review.
Frequently asked questions
Is Claude better than ChatGPT for writing?
Many people prefer Claude's writing style, but it's personal – try the same prompt in both.
Which is cheaper?
Both are free to start. ChatGPT Go is US$8/month in the US; ChatGPT Plus and Claude Pro are US$20/month.
Can I use both?
Yes – many people use both free plans for different tasks.
Not sure where to start?
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