Free reference

AI tools, side by side

Pick up to 4 tools and compare who makes them, the free plan, what each is best at and what to watch out for. Every fact comes from the Tool Atlas, sourced and dated. A real table, so you can copy a cell.

Latest check 27 Sep 2026 What has changed

Choose tools to compare (up to 4)
General assistants
Research and study
Create
Work
Automate and agents
Build

If you tick more than 4, the first 4 are shown.

FactClaudeChatGPTGemini
Made byAnthropicOpenAIGoogle
Free planYesYes, with ads in the UKYes
Paid plans fromPro at $20 a month, or $17 a month billed yearlyGo at $8 a month; Plus at $20 a monthGoogle AI Plus at $4.99 a month (US price; UK price varies)
Best atCareful writing, long documents and codingThe broadest all-rounder, with the biggest community of guidesWorking inside Gmail, Docs and Google apps; makes images and video
Watch out forUsage limits reset in rolling five-hour windows, even on paid plansFree and Go plans show ads in the UK, and consumer chats train models unless you opt outSome chats can be reviewed by people while activity saving is on
SuitsProfessionals, buildersEveryoneEveryone
VerifiedVerified 27 Sep 2026Verified 27 Sep 2026Verified 27 Sep 2026

A dash means we don’t track that fact for that tool (usually because there’s no single published starting price), not that it has none. Every value links back to its source on the tool’s page. Open the Tool Atlas · Download all tools as a spreadsheet →

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Using them well is the hard part

A short assessment scores you across five skill areas and builds a path through 18 modules, with lessons that put your tools first. Free, no card.

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