The difference between Claude and ChatGPT
When OpenAI launched ChatGPT in late 2022, tech journalists were captivated by the prospect of testing its limits. Could it write poetry? Debugging code? Explaining quantum physics to a 5-year-old? Months later, with the emergence of Claude from Anthropic, the focus shifted to directly comparing tasks (such as counting objects or solving ethical dilemmas) to determine which model was more capable.
This article will help you understand the differences between Claude and ChatGPT – focusing on the latest models such as Claude Sonnet 4 and ChatGPT's GPT-4o and o1 – so you can choose the tool best suited to your workflow.
Comparing Claude and ChatGPT
Both Claude and ChatGPT are supported by comparable LLM and LMM models. However, they differ in several key aspects:
ChatGPT is best suited for users who want a versatile AI toolset. Its ability to create custom GPT images and marketplaces makes it ideal for users wanting to explore the full potential of AI. And for most use cases, ChatGPT now offers more cost-effective API access.
Claude is best suited for users focused on complex text processing and source code. Its more natural writing style, powerful programming capabilities with real-time visualization via Artifacts, and thoughtful analytical approach make it a superior choice for developers, writers, and analysts who need depth rather than breadth.
| Claude | ChatGPT | |
|---|---|---|
| Company | Anthropic | OpenAI |
| AI model |
|
|
| Context window | Up to 500,000 tokens | Up to 128,000 tokens |
| Web search | Have | Have |
| Create images | Are not | Have |
| Create video | Are not | Yes (Sora) |
| Voice mode | Have | Have |
| Use a computer. | Have | Have |
| Paid package | $20/month for Claude Pro | $20/month for ChatGPT Plus; $200/month for ChatGPT Pro |
| Group packages | $30 per user per month; users can collaborate through shared projects. | $30 per user per month; includes workspace management features and shared custom GPT panels. |
| API Price |
|
|
Keep in mind that if you use AI extensively, you might want to access both tools – especially since you might encounter speed limits. (For example, Claude limits you to 45 messages every 5 hours, although this number can be more or less depending on the length of your requests). While many people prefer interacting with Claude, they often use ChatGPT to handle large amounts of data to avoid speed limits.
Anthropic and OpenAI each have cutting-edge, leading-edge models, models for specific use cases, and older, less advanced (but cheaper and faster) models.
| Tools | Model | Describe |
|---|---|---|
| ChatGPT | GPT-4o | Best multi-purpose model |
| GPT-4o mini | A versatile, fast, and affordable model. | |
| o1 | Advanced inference models for complex tasks | |
| o1-mini | Faster reasoning model | |
| o1 Pro | The most powerful and resource-intensive model (only available on the ChatGPT Pro plan, priced at $200/month) | |
| Claude | Claude Sonnet 4 | The smartest model |
| Claude 3.5 Haiku | The fastest and most cost-effective model | |
| Claude Opus 4 | The most powerful model for complex tasks. |
Claude is a better partner for creative work.
Unlike mathematics or programming, where your output is either right or wrong, evaluating creative work is subjective. People appreciate Claude's output for writing tasks and it's generally a good creative partner. Claude Sonnet 4 sounds more natural than GPT-40, although GPT-40 has been improved but still seems more generic.
Even ChatGPT's more robust o1 model still overuses certain phrases like "in today's ever-changing landscape" and "let's find out," which have become hallmarks of AI-generated content. ChatGPT also tends to heavily rely on bullet points unless instructed otherwise.
On the other hand, Claude sounded more natural from the start.
Claude's Styles feature also makes it easy to switch between different custom writing styles. For example, you can set up an informal writing style for internal memos, a more lively style for social media posts, and a more thoughtful style for longer content.
Claude is a better collaborator in editing: He understands the requirements with less explanation and does a better job of sticking to the issue and grasping the overall context of the requirements.
One of ChatGPT's advantages when it comes to creative projects—beyond its ability to create images and videos—is its Canvas feature, which allows you to edit documents directly within ChatGPT. Canvas makes it easy to adjust document length, add emojis, rewrite text at different reading levels, or provide custom guidance.
ChatGPT can be used to create images (and videos, via Sora).
GPT-4o can generate images directly within ChatGPT, and it's one of the most powerful AI image generation tools available.
And Sora – still a separate product, but available to anyone with a ChatGPT Plus or Pro subscription – is essentially the same, just for video. Along with using text prompts to create videos, you can also convert images to videos, or take an existing video clip and stretch it. Sora also lets you perform basic video editing – with options including trimming, remixing, mixing, looping, and prompt editing – right within the interface.
Claude is a more useful programming assistant.
Claude has a feature interesting enough to encourage many people to try programming from the start. It's called Artifacts, and it displays a preview window so you can see the results of your code in real time. (You can also use Artifacts for things other than code, such as diagrams, documentation, and interactive charts like the ones mentioned earlier).
If you're not technically savvy, a simple way to test this is to start a normal chat with Claude via a text prompt and ask it to convert the data it shares with you into an interactive React component. For example, here's a lawn care pricing calculator created in just seconds.
You can also use a similar process with Claude's Artifacts to design and test more complex programs. For example, with just one prompt, the author was able to recreate a version of the classic Frogger game – and play it directly from Claude's interface. Because you can see the results of your code immediately, requesting changes to graphics and gameplay is very easy.
ChatGPT's programming capabilities are harder to assess for beginners. But based on reviews from programmers, the majority opinion is that the GPT-40 – while powerful – still falls short of the Claude Sonnet 4. ChatGPT o1-mini comes closer, but even with updates to Canvas, it still doesn't quite live up to expectations. You can also generate code for a Frogger-like game and preview it on ChatGPT, but it's more like an NES compared to a Claude Sonnet 4 Switch.
Claude has also released his own AI programming agent, called Claude Code : It connects to your computer's command line, where it can view all your project files, understand how they work together, modify your codebase, run tests, and even automatically commit changes to GitHub.
ChatGPT allows you to build your own chatbot.
On ChatGPT, you can create your own custom GPT for others to interact with, adjusting implicit settings to train it to produce responses in a certain way. You can also tailor how it interacts with users. For example, you can instruct it to use informal or formal language.
The example below created eCommerce Assistant, a custom GPT focused on the internal marketing needs of a business selling high-end e-commerce products (such as product descriptions and conversion rate analysis).
Once you have a working custom GPT, you can share it with anyone else in your ChatGPT Team or Enterprise group, helping you standardize output across your entire organization.
ChatGPT has several outstanding features.
ChatGPT is a more flexible tool with more features. Some of those features, like custom GPT, are useful for professionals but not groundbreaking for the average user. However, the features below can make ChatGPT significantly more practical for everyday use.
Enhanced voice mode
If you want a preview of how AI will be integrated into consumer devices in the next few years, take a few minutes to experience ChatGPT's enhanced voice mode. Using the mobile app, you can grant ChatGPT access to your phone's camera and ask it questions about anything it can see.
You can also enable screen sharing, allowing ChatGPT to analyze what's displayed on your phone. This could be incredibly helpful for visually impaired users.
Mission
If you already have a to-do list management app, you might wonder why you need ChatGPT for your task management. But after some experimentation, you'll understand ChatGPT's scheduling tasks: For certain applications, adding artificial intelligence (AI) unlocks new possibilities.
Utilizing ChatGPT's web accessibility capabilities is another interesting use case:
Mỗi ngày lúc 7 giờ tối, hãy tóm tắt những tin tức hàng đầu trong ngày liên quan đến công nghệ. Tóm tắt chúng thành một vài gạch đầu dòng dễ đọc.You can also use your own interactions with ChatGPT as a source of documentation. For example:
Vào mỗi thứ Sáu lúc 5 giờ chiều, hãy xem lại các cuộc trò chuyện của tôi trong tuần và cung cấp bản tóm tắt cấp cao về những gì tôi đã làm và hoàn thành.Third-party GPTs
In addition to the ability to create custom GPTs, ChatGPT also provides a marketplace where anyone can publish their own specialized GPTs. Popular GPTs include coloring book image generators, AI research assistants, programming assistants, and even "plant care coaches".
