Two general assistants compared for web research, source checking, file analysis, and work connected to your existing accounts. This guidance is based on company pages linked from the profiles below.
Research needs to continue into file analysis, data work, images, or drafting in one account.
Look elsewhere if: You need source links on every ordinary answer without using Search or Deep Research, or cannot confirm the Deep Research allowance on your plan.
Research should combine Google Search with selected files, Gmail, Drive, or other connected Google material, then export to Docs.
Look elsewhere if: You need source links on every ordinary answer, fully local processing, or research without the required Google account settings.
| Detail | ChatGPTOpenAI | Google GeminiGoogle |
|---|---|---|
| Made for | General assistant | General assistant |
| US price | Free; Go $8/mo (may include ads); Plus $20/mo; Pro from $100/mo (opens in a new tab) Full ChatGPT plan detailsA free plan is available. In the US, Go is $8 monthly and Plus is $20 monthly. Pro is $100 monthly for 5× Plus usage or $200 monthly for 20×. Go, Plus, and Pro are billed monthly only. ChatGPT Business standard seats are $25 per user monthly or $20 per user monthly when billed annually, with a two-seat minimum. Usage limits apply. | Free; Plus from $4.99/mo; Pro $19.99/mo (opens in a new tab) Full Google Gemini plan detailsFree plan. Gemini's US subscription page lists Google AI Plus with 400 GB at $4.99 monthly, Pro with 5 TB at $19.99 monthly, and Ultra at $99.99 monthly for 5× AI Pro usage limits or $199.99 monthly for 20×. Confirm the checkout price and included bundle. |
| Ways to use it | Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android | Web, macOS, iOS, Android |
| Access | Cloud service with web, desktop, and mobile apps. | Cloud service in a web app and macOS, iOS, and Android apps. This profile covers personal Google accounts, not work, school, Enterprise, or API use. |
| Where it runs | Online service from OpenAI. | Online service from Google. |
| Profile evidence | Capabilities · Access · Limits · collected Aug 1, 2026 | Capabilities · Access · Limits · collected Aug 1, 2026 |
Google Workspace location alone does not decide it. Gemini can retrieve Gmail, Docs, and Drive through its consumer Workspace connection. A finished Gemini Deep Research report can be shared as a Canvas, exported to Google Docs, or copied as text; the Workspace connection cannot access comments or images in Docs or Gmail, or pictures and videos in Drive. ChatGPT Deep Research can read from enabled Gmail and Google Drive, subject to Deep Research availability in the plan and country or territory plus app access in the plan and workspace, but its connected-app research does not write. Completed ChatGPT Deep Research reports can be downloaded as Markdown, Word, or PDF. ChatGPT Work can separately create or edit native Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides when the relevant app is enabled; availability varies by plan, workspace, file type, and surface. For web source control, ChatGPT Deep Research can restrict research to named sites or domains. Gemini Deep Research can instead deselect Google Search and use selected Gmail, Drive, uploaded files, or NotebookLM notebooks. Choose based on the sources the research must include, then open the decisive citations.
Company sources: ChatGPT Deep Research (opens in a new tab) · ChatGPT Work files (opens in a new tab) · Deep Research (opens in a new tab) · Connect Google Workspace (opens in a new tab)OpenAI says all ChatGPT Deep Research outputs include citations or source links, and its report view includes a Sources used section plus activity history. That does not establish that every claim is cited or that a link is correct. Google's personal Gemini Deep Research guide documents chosen sources, an editable plan, and report creation, but does not promise a source link for every report or claim. Its general Gemini help says not all responses include related links or sources, so citation completeness in Gemini Deep Research is unknown—not evidence that it lacks citations. Run the same representative query on the exact plans and models. Require every decision-changing claim to point to an original source, then open it and check that it supports the claim.
Company sources: ChatGPT Deep Research (opens in a new tab) · Deep Research (opens in a new tab) · View related sources (opens in a new tab)Use the current price row above, then compare research and file allowances on the plans you would buy. For personal Gemini accounts, connecting Gmail, Docs, or Drive requires Keep Activity. Google says saved activity is used to improve services, including training generative AI models, and a subset of chats is reviewed by people; turning Keep Activity off blocks the Google Workspace connection. OpenAI says data synced directly from connected Google apps is not used to train generalized models except when it is submitted as feedback, manually copied or uploaded into a conversation, or included in a ChatGPT response. Deletion also differs: OpenAI says ChatGPT may create an indexed copy of connected Google app content and deletes that copy within 30 days after you disconnect the app; deleting a chat deletes connected-app data retained in that chat within 30 days. Google says disconnecting Google Workspace or deleting data in a connected app does not delete data already saved in Gemini Apps Activity; delete that activity separately.
Company sources: Google app data controls in ChatGPT (opens in a new tab) · Connect Google Workspace (opens in a new tab) · Gemini Apps Privacy Hub (opens in a new tab)