What's the Difference Between ChatGPT, Copilot, and Gemini?

If you've been paying any attention to AI news over the past year or two, you've heard all three names. ChatGPT. Copilot. Gemini. Maybe Claude too.

They all seem to do similar things. They all have slightly different names and logos. And if you're not in tech, the differences are genuinely unclear — because nobody explains them in plain language.

Here's the plain-language version.

They're all "AI assistants" — but from different companies

The simplest way to think about it: these are all AI tools you can have a conversation with. You type something, they respond. You can ask questions, get help writing, summarize documents, brainstorm ideas, and more.

The difference is who built them and where they live.

| Tool | Made by | Where to find it | |---|---|---| | ChatGPT | OpenAI | chat.openai.com | | Copilot | Microsoft | Built into Windows, Office, and Bing | | Gemini | Google | gemini.google.com, and built into Gmail, Docs | | Claude | Anthropic | claude.ai |

They're all competing for the same job — being your AI assistant — the same way Chrome, Safari, and Firefox all compete to be your web browser. Same basic function, different companies, slightly different strengths.

ChatGPT — the one that started it all

OpenAI released ChatGPT in late 2022 and it essentially introduced most of the world to conversational AI. It's still the most widely used and the most recognized name.

Best for: General-purpose use. Writing, editing, explaining things, brainstorming, research, answering questions. It's the Swiss Army knife of AI tools.

Free version: Yes — GPT-4o is available for free with some usage limits.

Paid version: ChatGPT Plus ($20/month) gives you faster responses, fewer limits, and access to newer features.

Worth knowing: If you try one AI tool, most people start here — and for good reason. The free version is genuinely useful.

Copilot — Microsoft's version, built into tools you already use

Microsoft invested heavily in OpenAI and built their AI assistant directly into their products. If you use Windows, Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams), or the Bing search engine, you've probably already seen Copilot.

Best for: People already working inside Microsoft's ecosystem. Drafting emails in Outlook, summarizing documents in Word, generating formulas in Excel — it can do all of this without switching tabs.

Free version: Yes — Copilot is free in Windows 11 and on bing.com.

Paid version: Microsoft 365 Copilot ($30/user/month) is the full version embedded across all Office apps, primarily aimed at businesses.

Worth knowing: If you live in Microsoft Office all day, Copilot's biggest advantage is convenience — it's already where you're working. You don't need to copy and paste anything.

Gemini — Google's answer, connected to your Google life

Google's AI assistant is called Gemini (it was briefly called Bard — they renamed it). Like Microsoft, Google built it into their existing products: Gmail, Google Docs, Google Search, and more.

Best for: People deep in the Google ecosystem — Gmail, Drive, Docs, Sheets. Gemini can read your emails, summarize your documents, and help you draft replies without leaving your inbox.

Free version: Yes — available at gemini.google.com.

Paid version: Gemini Advanced is included with Google One AI Premium ($20/month), which also includes expanded Drive storage.

Worth knowing: Google's biggest edge is search integration. When you need current, up-to-date information from the web, Gemini tends to pull it in more naturally than some competitors.

Claude — the one worth knowing about

Claude is made by Anthropic and doesn't get as much mainstream press, but it's worth mentioning because a lot of people who use AI seriously end up preferring it.

Best for: Long documents, nuanced writing, and conversations where tone and careful reasoning matter. Many people find Claude's responses feel less robotic and more thoughtful.

Free version: Yes — available at claude.ai.

Paid version: Claude Pro ($20/month).

Worth knowing: If you've tried ChatGPT and wanted something that felt a little more human in its responses, Claude is worth a try.

So which one should you use?

Honest answer: start with one, get comfortable, and don't overthink it.

For most people just getting started, ChatGPT is the right first choice. It's the most widely referenced, has the most tutorials and guides written about it, and the free version handles most everyday tasks easily.

If you already live in Microsoft Office, add Copilot to your workflow — it'll save you the copy-paste step.

If you're a Gmail and Google Docs person, Gemini is worth turning on.

And if you want something that feels particularly good at writing and nuance, try Claude.

The good news: they all have free tiers, so there's no reason not to try more than one. Most people end up with a favorite relatively quickly.

The thing they all have in common

Whichever one you use, the same principle applies: the quality of what you get out depends heavily on what you put in. A vague question gets a vague answer. A specific, well-framed question gets a useful one.

The tools are different. The skill of using them well is the same across all of them.

That skill — how to get genuinely useful results from any of these tools — is exactly what the Clearly, AI course teaches. No technical background required. Just practical, hands-on learning designed for people who want to use AI confidently in their real work and life. Plans start at $15/mo — see what's included.