ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini: what's the difference?
You may hear the names ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini and wonder which one you need. For everyday questions, they work in a very similar way. You type or say a question in plain words, and it writes back. The best one is usually the one you will actually use.
What you need
- A phone, tablet, or computer with internet
- About 5 minutes
Will this work on my phone?
Most phones from the last few years will work. The app store checks your phone's software number (called iOS on iPhone, Android on Android phones), not how old the phone looks.
Works on:
- ChatGPT: iPhone with iOS 18 or newer (iPhone XS, XR, SE 2nd generation or newer). On Android, open ChatGPT in the Google Play store. If it says it works on your phone, you are set.
- Claude: iPhone with iOS 18 or newer (iPhone XS, XR, SE 2nd generation or newer). Android 8 or newer.
- Gemini: iPhone with iOS 18.2 or newer (iPhone XS, XR, SE 2nd generation or newer). Android 10 or newer, with at least 2 GB of memory.
How to check your phone
On an iPhone
- Open Settings (the gray gear).
- Tap General, then tap About.
- Look at iOS Version. That number is what the app checks.
On an Android phone
- Open Settings (the gear).
- Scroll down and tap About phone.
- Look at Android version. On some phones you may need to tap one more item, like Software information, to see it.
Tip: if your number is too low, look for Software Update in Settings. A free update may fix it.
If your phone is too old
That's okay. You or your parent still have good choices:
- Use the website instead. Open the web browser on a computer or tablet and go to chatgpt.com or claude.ai or gemini.google.com. It works the same way, no download needed.
- Ask the family. A newer phone, or a hand-me-down from a grandchild, often works great. Ask before buying anything new.
- Get help from us. Book a friendly 1:1 session and we will sort it out together.
Step by step
Know who makes each one
ChatGPT is made by OpenAI. Claude is made by Anthropic. Gemini is made by Google. They are separate companies, and each app is free to download from the official app store.
Use only the official sites
The real websites are chatgpt.com, claude.ai, and gemini.google.com. Look-alike apps and sites exist, so check the name and the maker in the app store before you download.
Start with the free plan
All three have a free plan. Paid plans give you more use and extra features. Try the free one first. You can always decide later, and you never need to pay to follow our guides.
Pick one and practice
If you already use Gmail or an Android phone, Gemini may already be on your phone. Otherwise, pick the one a family member uses so they can help. Ask it the same easy question a few days in a row until it feels normal.
Remember they all can be wrong
Every one of these can make mistakes and still sound sure. Check anything important, like health, money, or travel details, with a trusted source or a real person.
Good to know
- Each one has a setting to stop your chats being used to improve the AI. See our AI myths and fears guide.
- Features and prices change often. The makers' own pages have the latest.
- Never pay for an "AI" app that someone calls or texts you about. Download only from the official app store.