With the rise of generative AI, choosing the right AI assistant for coding and creative work for your business can be challenging. Two of the major AI assistants in the market are Google Gemini (formerly Bard) and Anthropic’s Claude.ai.
This article compares the core capabilities of both AI assistants, both of which are currently free as of July 2024. To use Gemini, you need to sign in with a Google account, while for Claude, you can sign in with either a Google account or an email address. If you have a Google Workspace account, it is recommended to check with your administrator to ensure access is permitted.
What is Google Gemini?
Google Gemini is an experimental conversational AI system developed by Google. As a large language model, Gemini can generate text, code, and other content in response to a prompt or image input. Google initially launched Gemini (as Bard) in the first quarter of 2023 and later rebranded it to Gemini in February 2024 to reflect access to a range of AI models under the same brand.
What is Claude.ai?
Claude.ai is a public-facing beta version of Anthropic’s conversational AI system. Launched alongside Claude 2 in mid-2023, Claude.ai has since been updated to the latest version, Claude 3.5 Sonnet. Anthropic has focused on designing Claude with an emphasis on AI safety.
Gemini vs Claude: Comparison table
Feature Gemini Claude.ai
Made by Google Anthropic
Available countries 230+ Various
Language support 40+ English. Some support for other languages, notably Portuguese, French, and German.
Coding support 20+ languages Yes, all major languages, with a focus on Python
Connects to the internet for up-to-date information Yes No
Accepts image upload Yes No
Accepts text file upload No Yes
Context window* 128,000 tokens (approx. 96,000 words) 200,000 tokens (approx. 150,000 words)
Export options Gmail, Google Docs, Google Sheets, public link, copy/paste Copy/paste
The context window dictates the length of content the system can retain and respond to at one time. A longer window allows for the analysis of longer documents.
Gemini vs Claude pricing
Both Gemini and Claude.ai are currently free to use. Anthropic offers paid Pro and Team plans on Claude.ai, with Pro costing $20 per user per month and Team costing $25 per user per month. Google provides Gemini Advanced, which interfaces directly with Gmail and Docs and includes 2 TB of storage. Access to Gemini Advanced is available through a Google One AI Premium subscription for $19.99.
The main competitor to these systems, ChatGPT from OpenAI, offers a free edition and an upgrade option for $20 per month.
Google and Anthropic cater to enterprise and developer AI needs. Google offers a wide range of AI and machine learning systems, while Anthropic provides access to different editions of Claude optimized for various situations and price points.
Feature comparison: Google Gemini vs Claude.ai
Conversational chat
Both Gemini and Claude operate as conventional AI chatbots, allowing for a back-and-forth conversation based on prompts provided. Claude supports a longer context window, enabling it to work with longer texts and engage in extended conversations.
Write text
Both Gemini and Claude can generate text based on prompts, such as emails, marketing copy, cover letters, or blog posts. Users can provide detailed instructions for the desired tone, content, length, or structure of the text.
Generate suggestions
Both AI assistants excel at providing suggestions based on user queries. Including examples can help narrow down relevant responses, though users should verify the information provided for accuracy.
Claude.ai: Pros and cons
Claude’s strength lies in its ability to work with long text files due to its lengthy context window. Users can upload up to five files of up to 10MB each, allowing for detailed exploration of document contents.
Pros of Claude
– Excellent long document capabilities
– Support for uploading multiple files
– Extensive coding language support
Cons of Claude
– No access to internet search
Google Gemini: Pros and cons
Gemini stands out for its internet access and image upload capabilities. Users can leverage search for up-to-date information and analyze uploaded images using Google Lens technology.
Pros of Gemini
– Accessible in multiple languages
– Internet search functionality
– Built-in export options
Cons of Gemini
– Limited support for file uploads
– Smaller context window compared to Claude.ai
Should you use Gemini or Claude?
Gemini and Claude offer cutting-edge conversational AI features with evolving capabilities. Select Gemini for chats requiring internet access or image support, and opt for Claude for chats involving uploaded documents or prolonged conversational context.
Experiment with both AI systems to familiarize yourself with their capabilities and choose the one that best suits your specific task.
Methodology
This comparison is based on detailed vendor announcements, hands-on experimentation, and testing of features available between July 2023 and June 2024. As both systems continually add new features, it’s recommended to stay updated on the latest developments from Google Gemini and Anthropic.
Editor’s note: This article has been updated by Megan Crouse.
