ChatGPT, Claude or Gemini? Free or paid? The comparisons online tend to argue about benchmark scores, which is not how anyone actually chooses. What matters is the work you do, how much of it, and what you already pay for.
Six questions, about a minute. You will get one tool to start with and a straight answer about whether the free plan will do.
Free 1-minute quiz
Which AI tool should you use?
Six questions about the work you do. You get one tool to start with, and whether the free plan is enough.
The short version
- Occasional use: stay free. All three free plans handle everyday questions, drafting, files and images.
- Long documents and code: Claude, and a paid plan if you hit the five-hour budget mid-task.
- The newest features and the widest toolset: ChatGPT, where most new things land first.
- You already pay Google: check what your plan includes before buying anything else.
Read the full comparison
The quiz gives you a starting point, not a verdict. ChatGPT vs Claude vs Gemini goes through where each one is genuinely better, and do you need to pay for AI? has the 15-minute test for whether a subscription is worth it for you.
Then learn to drive it
Whichever you pick, the prompt matters more than the brand. Start with the complete guide to prompting, and use the free prompt builder when you want a good prompt without thinking about the structure.
Frequently asked questions
Which AI tool is best?
There is no single best one. For most people the honest answer is that the free plan of any of the big three is enough, and the right paid plan depends on how often you use it, how long your documents are, and what you already pay for.
Do I need to pay for AI at all?
Often not. Everyday chat is unlimited on the free plans, and they read files, see images and search the web. Paying mostly buys higher limits on the tools around the chat, and the newest models first.
Can I use more than one?
Yes, and plenty of people do: one free account each and you can pick per task. Our advice is to pay for one at a time, and only once a free plan has stopped you from finishing something more than once.
Does the quiz store my answers?
No. It runs in your browser, there is no sign-up, and nothing is sent to us.