ChatGPT vs Claude: Which is the right fit for you?
Davis Christenhuis
With new GPT and Claude models arriving regularly, keeping up with what each offers can be difficult. Choosing between them means understanding which features you’ll actually use and what your subscription includes.
This guide compares ChatGPT and Claude’s key features, coding tools, privacy controls, models, and pricing to help you decide which suits your needs.
📌 TL;DR
- Claude is Anthropic’s family of AI models and assistant app, supporting tasks such as writing, research, document analysis, and content creation.
- ChatGPT is OpenAI’s AI assistant, bringing together chat, research, file analysis, image generation, and other tools powered by GPT models.
- For coding, Codex and Claude Code help you work on software projects, including inspecting codebases, editing files, and testing changes.
- For privacy and data handling, protections depend on your plan and settings, with additional access controls and administration options on business and enterprise plans.
- Pricing ranges from free access to paid individual and team subscriptions, with different features, model access, and usage allowances.
- With Dust, teams can use GPT and Claude models in one place, connected to company knowledge and tools, with credit-usage analytics by agent and model and controls for managing consumption.
What is ChatGPT?
ChatGPT is OpenAI’s AI assistant, powered by its GPT models. It combines chat with research, file analysis, image generation, and other features. OpenAI also offers Codex, a coding agent for working on codebases.
You can use ChatGPT to draft content, summarize documents, analyze spreadsheets, or research a topic. Free and paid plans offer different model access, tools, and usage limits. OpenAI’s plan comparison details what each subscription includes.
Model access differs between regular Chat, ChatGPT Work, and Codex. GPT-6 Pro, powered by GPT-6 Astra, is available in regular Chat on eligible Pro, Business, and Enterprise plans. Plus includes GPT-6 Astra in Work and Codex. GPT-6 Sol and Luna are available in Work and Codex. GPT-5.6 models remain available, with access depending on your plan and the experience you use.
Key features of ChatGPT
ChatGPT brings together tools for research, coding, content creation, and everyday work. Here are some of its key features, with availability depending on your plan:
- Model choice: Free and Go use GPT-5.6 Luna in regular Chat, while eligible paid plans offer GPT-5.6 Sol. Pro adds GPT-6 Pro, powered by Astra, in regular Chat; Plus includes Astra in Work and Codex. GPT-6 Sol and Luna are available in Work and Codex. Model access and usage limits vary by plan and workspace settings.
- Codex: OpenAI’s coding agent is available through the ChatGPT desktop app, supported IDE extensions, the command line, and cloud workflows. Free and Go include limited access, while paid tiers provide higher allowances.
- Deep research: ChatGPT can gather and synthesize information for research tasks. Free access is limited, while Plus and Pro provide larger allowances.
- Projects and reusable workflows: Projects organize related chats, files, and instructions. Go, Plus, and Pro currently include scheduled tasks and custom GPT creation, with different limits.
- Memory and context: Memory supports continuity between interactions. Context determines what fits into the current task, with limits that vary by plan and mode.
- Image generation and voice: ChatGPT supports generating images and spoken interaction. Allowances differ, so frequent visual work deserves attention when comparing subscriptions.
- ChatGPT Work and connections: Work has limited desktop access on Free and Go, expanding to web and mobile on Plus. Connected-app access varies by feature and plan.
What is Claude?
Claude is the name of Anthropic’s family of AI models and the assistant app built around them. The app combines chat with document analysis, research, and content creation. Anthropic also offers Claude Code, a coding agent for working on software projects.
Claude is available through free and paid subscriptions, with different tools, model access, and usage allowances. Anthropic’s plan comparison explains what each includes.
The Claude model family includes Haiku 4.5, Sonnet 5, Opus 5.5, and Fable 5.1, offering different balances of speed and capability. Opus 5.5 joined the lineup on September 22, 2026. Access to individual models depends on your plan and where you use Claude.
Key features of Claude
Claude offers tools for everyday questions and more involved projects. Here are some of its key features, with availability depending on your plan:
- Model choice: Free includes Sonnet and Haiku, while paid plans add Opus and access to Fable. On Pro, Fable uses pay-as-you-go usage credits rather than included plan usage.
- Cowork and the unified Claude experience: Claude can complete multi-step tasks using files, connectors, and tools you authorize. Anthropic is gradually merging Cowork and chat into one Claude experience, beginning with Pro and Max, so the interface may differ by plan and rollout status.
- Claude Code: Pro and Max include Anthropic’s coding agent, subject to usage limits. It can inspect codebases, edit files, and run commands through the terminal and supported development environments.
- Claude Design, Docs, and Slides: These tools let you create designs, documents, and presentations, with exports including PowerPoint and PDF. They are in beta on paid plans, with Enterprise access controlled by administrators.
- Files, projects, and memory: Claude can create files, run code, and build interactive artifacts. Projects keep related work together, while memory helps carry relevant context between conversations.
- Web research: Free includes web search for finding information online. Pro and Max add Research for tasks that require gathering and combining information from multiple sources.
- Connectors and skills: Connectors link Claude to supported services. Skills provide reusable instructions and resources for specific tasks, so you don’t have to explain the same process each time.
Coding
OpenAI’s Codex and Anthropic’s Claude Code help you work directly on software projects. Both go beyond answering coding questions, offering tools to make changes to a codebase and test the results.
Codex supports software development through the ChatGPT desktop app, supported IDE extensions, the command line, and cloud workflows, including parallel agent tasks. Free and Go include limited access, Plus expands usage, and Pro offers higher allowances. It can be a practical option if you already use ChatGPT and want coding-agent access within the same subscription.
Claude Code supports terminal, editor, and web workflows, including inspecting repositories, editing files, and running commands. Individual subscription access starts with Pro, with higher usage options on Max. It can suit developers who want a dedicated coding agent alongside Claude’s other features.
To try them out, give each the same small repository task: reproduce a bug, implement a fix, and add a regression test. Compare correctness, review effort, and interruptions from usage limits. Benchmark rankings can change between releases and do not establish a winner on your codebase. Review changes before merging, regardless of which agent produced them.
Privacy and data handling
Before sharing sensitive information, check the service’s training policy, retention rules, access controls, and your account settings. Individual subscriptions and managed business workspaces offer different protections.
For individual ChatGPT accounts, content may be used for model training. You can disable Improve the model for everyone in Data controls, although conversations submitted as feedback may still be used. Claude’s consumer training practices depend on your model-improvement preferences, with separate provisions for feedback and safety reviews.
ChatGPT Business and Enterprise, and Claude Team and Enterprise, do not use business content for model training by default. These plans also provide organizational controls, including single sign-on and centralized administration. Enterprise offerings add options such as automated account provisioning through SCIM, audit or compliance access, and custom retention, with availability depending on the product and tier.
Beyond model training, privacy also covers how each service stores your data and who can access it. Both providers offer controls for managing these settings, with more options on business and enterprise plans.
Models and pricing
ChatGPT and Claude offer free, individual, and team subscriptions. Here’s an overview of their plans, model access, and pricing.
Provider | Plan | What’s included | Price (USD) |
OpenAI | ChatGPT Free | GPT-5.6 Luna, with limited access to uploads, research, and Codex | Free |
OpenAI | ChatGPT Go | More uploads, image creation, and everyday usage | $8/month |
OpenAI | ChatGPT Plus | GPT-5.6 Sol in regular Chat; GPT-6 Astra, Sol, and Luna in Work and Codex, with expanded research and coding usage. | $20/month |
OpenAI | ChatGPT Pro | Expanded GPT-6 access and higher allowances for coding and research | From $100/month |
OpenAI | ChatGPT Business | Shared workspace, administrative controls, and standard or premium seats | Standard: $20/seat/month billed annually or $25 monthly. Premium: $100/seat/month billed annually or $125 monthly |
OpenAI | ChatGPT Enterprise | Expanded organizational controls, custom retention, and enterprise support | Custom pricing |
Anthropic | Claude Free | Sonnet and Haiku, with web search, file creation, and artifacts | Free |
Anthropic | Claude Pro | Access to Opus, Claude Code, and Research. Fable available through usage credits | $20/month or $200/year |
Anthropic | Claude Max | Higher usage than Pro and priority access. Fable uses the shared weekly allowance | From $100/month |
Anthropic | Claude Team | Shared workspace, administrative controls, and standard or premium seats | Standard: $20/seat/month billed annually or $25 monthly. Premium: $100/seat/month billed annually or $125 monthly |
Anthropic | Claude Enterprise | Advanced access controls, audit logs, and custom retention | $20/seat/month billed annually, plus usage |
Prices exclude applicable taxes. Annual seat prices are monthly equivalents billed annually. These are application subscriptions, not API prices; model access and usage limits vary by plan. Prices and available models can change at any time, so keep an eye on each provider’s pricing page for updates.
Dust: Use Claude and GPT
Dust is a multiplayer, multi-model AI system where people and agents work together using shared company knowledge and tools. Teams can build and share agents to research accounts, analyze support tickets, draft content, carry out tasks across connected systems, and much more.
With access to 20+ frontier and open-source models from OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, Mistral, and others, your team can use both GPT and Claude in one place. Choose a model for each workflow and switch as your needs change. Our guide to comparing AI models for your Dust agent can help you evaluate which model fits your tasks.
Dust connects to 70+ integrations, including Slack, Notion, Google Drive, GitHub, and Salesforce, giving agents relevant company context. Shared workspaces and reusable skills let colleagues collaborate with agents and build on each other’s work.
Credit-usage analytics by agent and model help admins understand which workflows drive consumption and manage their team’s AI budget. Spaces control access to company data and related agents, while Groups manage workspace permissions. Enterprise audit logs track significant activity, and programmatic credit limits help admins manage automated usage.
In Dust, use the model picker in the conversation composer to choose GPT, Claude, or another available model for your next message. To set an agent’s default model, use Agent Builder.
Want to see how your team can use Claude and GPT in Dust? Request a demo →
How to choose between ChatGPT and Claude
The right choice depends on your tasks, budget, and how you plan to use AI.
- What will you use it for? Try both on tasks you regularly do, whether that’s writing, research, coding, or working with documents.
- How does it fit your workflow? Consider the interface, connected tools, and how easily you can review and use the results.
- What data will you work with? Compare privacy settings and access controls against your personal or company requirements.
- What fits your budget? Look at the features and usage included in each plan, not just the monthly price.
- Do you need just one model? One assistant may cover your needs, while a multi-model approach gives teams flexibility across different tasks.
Start with the option that fits your everyday work, and reassess as your needs and the available models change.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Is Claude better than ChatGPT?
Neither is better for every task. The right choice depends on what you need, which tools you prefer, and how each fits your workflow. Trying both on the same everyday tasks can help you decide.
Is Claude or ChatGPT better for coding?
Both can help write, explain, and debug code. OpenAI also offers Codex, while Anthropic offers Claude Code for working directly on software projects. Your choice depends on your development setup, the tasks involved, and how much review the results need.
What is the difference between Claude and ChatGPT?
ChatGPT is OpenAI’s AI assistant, while Claude is developed by Anthropic. Both support a broad range of tasks, but differ in their underlying models, available tools, integrations, and subscription plans.
Can I use Claude and ChatGPT together?
Yes. You can use both ChatGPT and Claude and switch between them depending on the task. For example, you might draft content in one and ask the other to review it, or compare their approaches to the same coding problem. Each application has its own features, subscription plans, and usage limits, so access to one does not include access to the other.