Tool Comparison Chart
This page is for quick reference. If you want the reasoning behind the choices, start with the AI Tool Guide overview.
note
This chart covers types of tools and when to use them. It doesn't list specific prices or version features — those change so fast that listing them would only mislead you. Check the official websites before you use anything.
Chat assistants
| Tool | Best for | Personality | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| ChatGPT | General use, when you're not sure what to pick | Most features, most complete ecosystem | Lots of options; easy for beginners to get distracted |
| Claude | Long documents, writing, polishing | Clearly structured, natural writing | Fewer add-ons |
| Gemini | Heavy users of Google's apps | Deeply connected to Gmail / Docs | Mind the permissions on work accounts |
| Copilot | Companies using Microsoft 365 | Works right inside Office | Depends on your company's license |
| Perplexity | Looking things up, needing sources | Answers come with citations | You still need to click and check the citations |
By task
| Task | Best type of tool | Why | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Writing emails / copy | Chat assistant | Adjustable tone; you can give it examples | Double-check any facts |
| Polishing / rewriting | Chat assistant | Low risk, clear results | Don't let it erase your own voice |
| Summarizing long documents | Assistant that handles long documents | Reads the whole thing at once | Make sure no key sections were skipped |
| Finding the latest information | AI with web search | Sources you can trace | Always click the links |
| Organizing data / spreadsheets | Assistant that can run code | Actually calculates instead of guessing | Check the totals |
| Making a presentation | Assistant first, then a presentation tool | Handle content and layout separately | Generating it all at once tends to come out empty |
| Creating images | Image tool | High quality and control | Check the license for commercial use |
| Meeting notes | Transcription + assistant summary | Currently the most bang for your buck | Check policy first if it's confidential |
| Translation | DeepL or a chat assistant | Assistants let you set tone and context | Proofread names and specialized terms |
| Working with your own documents | AI knowledge base (e.g., NotebookLM) | Answers only from your material | Still check the cited passages |
| Building small tools / web pages | Vibe coding tools | Plain language is enough to build things | See Vibe Coding |
Data sensitivity guide
Use this chart to decide "which kind of tool can I use for this?":
| Type of data | Personal free plan | Personal paid plan | Company-purchased business plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public information, practice material | OK | OK | OK |
| Personal drafts, study notes | OK | OK | OK |
| Internal, non-confidential company documents | Check company policy first | Check company policy first | Follow company rules |
| Client lists, quotes, contracts | Don't | Don't | Follow company rules |
| Personal, financial, or medical data | Don't | Don't | Needs legal/compliance sign-off |
For the full explanation, see Safety & Judgment.
A one-page decision checklist
- Does this task need up-to-date information? → If yes, use a tool with search.
- Does it need precise calculations? → If yes, use a tool that can run code, or double-check the math yourself.
- Are you providing the information, or asking it to recall it on its own? → Provide the information whenever you can.
- Does it involve company or client data? → If yes, check the policy first.
- None of the above is an issue → Just use your main assistant.
tip
For 90% of everyday tasks, one main chat assistant is all you need. Tool anxiety usually comes from not knowing your current tool well enough, not from the tool falling short.