AI Tools Landscape: ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini & More
With new AI tools launching constantly, it's hard to keep track. In this lesson, we'll map out the AI landscape, compare the major players, and help you understand which tools do what.
What You'll Learn
By the end of this lesson, you'll understand the major AI tools available, their strengths and weaknesses, and how to choose between them.
The Major AI Assistants
ChatGPT (OpenAI)
The pioneer that started the revolution.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Company | OpenAI |
| Launched | November 2022 |
| Free tier | Yes (GPT-4o mini) |
| Paid tier | ChatGPT Plus ($20/month) |
| Strengths | Versatility, largest user base, extensive plugins |
| Best for | General tasks, creative writing, coding |
Key Features:
- Voice conversations
- Image generation (DALL-E)
- Custom GPTs (specialized versions)
- Web browsing
- Code execution
Claude (Anthropic)
The thoughtful alternative with a focus on safety.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Company | Anthropic |
| Launched | March 2023 |
| Free tier | Yes (limited) |
| Paid tier | Claude Pro ($20/month) |
| Strengths | Long documents, nuanced responses, writing quality |
| Best for | Complex analysis, long documents, thoughtful writing |
Key Features:
- Very large context window (can read entire books)
- Strong at following complex instructions
- Less prone to certain types of errors
- Project-based organization
Gemini (Google)
Google's AI, deeply integrated with Google services.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Company | Google DeepMind |
| Launched | December 2023 (as Gemini) |
| Free tier | Yes |
| Paid tier | Gemini Advanced ($20/month via Google One) |
| Strengths | Google integration, real-time information, multimodal |
| Best for | Research, Google Workspace users, current events |
Key Features:
- Access to current information via Google Search
- Integration with Gmail, Docs, Drive
- Strong image understanding
- YouTube video understanding
Copilot (Microsoft)
AI woven into Microsoft's products.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Company | Microsoft (uses OpenAI technology) |
| Launched | 2023 |
| Free tier | Yes (Bing Chat / Copilot) |
| Paid tier | Copilot Pro ($20/month), Microsoft 365 Copilot (enterprise) |
| Strengths | Microsoft 365 integration, web search built-in |
| Best for | Microsoft 365 users, Windows users |
Key Features:
- Built into Windows, Edge, Office apps
- Real-time web access
- Image generation
- Document assistance in Word, Excel, PowerPoint
Quick Comparison
| Feature | ChatGPT | Claude | Gemini | Copilot |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free tier | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Web access | ✓ (Plus) | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Image generation | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Long documents | Good | Excellent | Good | Good |
| Code assistance | Excellent | Excellent | Good | Excellent |
| Voice chat | ✓ | Limited | ✓ | ✓ |
Other Notable AI Tools
Meta AI
- Free, available via Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and web
- Powered by Llama models
- Integrated into social platforms you may already use
Perplexity AI
- Focused on research and search
- Cites sources for every claim
- Excellent for fact-finding
- Free and paid tiers
Pi (Inflection AI)
- Designed for emotional support and conversation
- More personal, friendly interaction style
- Free to use
Poe
- Aggregator: access multiple AI models in one place
- Compare responses from different AIs
- Create custom bots
AI in Existing Products
AI is being embedded into tools you already use:
Productivity Software
- Microsoft 365 Copilot: AI in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook
- Google Workspace AI: Gemini features in Docs, Sheets, Gmail
- Notion AI: Writing and organization assistance
- Canva AI: Design generation and enhancement
Development Tools
- GitHub Copilot: AI code completion
- Cursor: AI-powered code editor
- Replit AI: Coding assistance for all levels
Writing Tools
- Grammarly: Grammar, style, and tone
- Jasper: Marketing content
- Copy.ai: Business writing
Search
- Perplexity: AI-native search
- Bing: AI-enhanced with Copilot
- Google: AI Overviews in search results
How to Choose
Consider Your Primary Use Case
| If you mainly want to... | Consider... |
|---|---|
| Write and brainstorm | ChatGPT or Claude |
| Research with sources | Perplexity |
| Work with long documents | Claude |
| Integrate with Google tools | Gemini |
| Integrate with Microsoft tools | Copilot |
| Generate images | ChatGPT or Midjourney |
| Code | ChatGPT, Claude, or GitHub Copilot |
Consider What You Already Use
The most practical AI is often the one built into tools you already use:
- Heavy Google user? → Gemini
- Microsoft 365 subscriber? → Copilot
- Already paying for ChatGPT? → Stick with it
The Truth About Differences
For most everyday tasks, the major AI assistants are remarkably similar. They all can:
- Answer questions
- Write emails
- Explain concepts
- Brainstorm ideas
- Help with basic coding
The differences matter more for specialized or demanding tasks.
Free vs. Paid: Is It Worth It?
Free Tiers Are Good Enough For Many People
Free versions of ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini handle:
- Occasional use
- Basic writing tasks
- Quick questions
- Learning and exploration
When to Consider Paying
| Pay if you... | Why |
|---|---|
| Hit usage limits regularly | Paid plans have higher limits |
| Need the latest models | Free tiers often use older versions |
| Use AI for work daily | Higher limits and better features |
| Need specific features | Image generation, web access, etc. |
| Work with long documents | Better context handling |
The $20/Month Standard
Most paid AI plans cost around $20/month. If AI saves you more than one hour of work per month, it's probably worth it.
The Multi-AI Approach
Many power users don't pick just one AI:
- Claude for thoughtful analysis and long documents
- ChatGPT for creative tasks and images
- Perplexity for research
- Specialized tools for specific needs
Free tiers make this practical — you can use multiple AIs without paying for each.
Key Takeaways
- The Big Three (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini) are all capable for most tasks
- Choose based on your existing tools, specific needs, and use patterns
- Free tiers are sufficient for casual and moderate use
- Paid plans ($20/month) make sense for heavy users and specific features
- AI is embedding into products you already use — look for AI features in familiar tools
- You can use multiple AIs for different purposes
What's Next
Now let's look at specific applications of AI tools, starting with text-based AI: writing, summarizing, and translating.