ChatGPT vs. Google Gemini: Which Chatbot Feels More Human?

For a while now, ChatGPT has been the go-to chatbot, dominating the AI scene. But things are changing, and it seems like Google’s Gemini is finally stepping up its game.

Choosing between ChatGPT and Google Gemini can feel like a moving target. Both companies, OpenAI and Google, are constantly improving their chatbots, so the answers you get today might be very different a month from now. On top of that, each AI chatbot generates unique responses to every question, which can make direct comparisons tricky.

When it comes to free AI chatbots, Gemini seems to have the upper hand in terms of features. It offers image generation and connects with Google services like Maps, which ChatGPT currently lacks.

In the past, Gemini lagged behind competitors like ChatGPT, Microsoft CoPilot, Anthropic’s Claude, and Perplexity, as pointed out in earlier reviews. However, by September 2024, Google had fixed several bugs, especially those causing hallucinations. Now, Gemini's free version is standing its ground against ChatGPT’s lightweight model, GPT-4o mini, which is quick and connected to the internet. Both bots rely on something called LLMs, large language models that can generate text based on massive amounts of data. Whether you're using Gemini or ChatGPT, they can usually answer topical questions since both are internet-connected.

Let’s break down ChatGPT and Google Gemini, so you can figure out which one feels right for you.

ChatGPT Free vs. Google Gemini: What’s Included?

Both ChatGPT Free, powered by the GPT-4o mini model, and Google Gemini, running on the 1.5 Flash model, are available for free. The main difference is that Gemini requires you to sign in with a Google account, while ChatGPT doesn’t. That said, ChatGPT suggests logging in for better results.

Both can help you write, brainstorm, and offer travel or shopping recommendations. But there are some differences. ChatGPT is more open in answering sensitive topics like politics, whereas Gemini is a bit cautious, especially after past controversies. For instance, Gemini was designed to avoid biases, like when it faced issues with image recognition. However, Gemini does have the edge in one area—its ability to generate images, a feature missing from the free ChatGPT plan.

In my tests, I didn’t hit any restrictions when using either chatbot, even though both limit the number of questions you can ask if there’s high traffic. For most general questions, both chatbots should be more than enough.

ChatGPT vs. Google Gemini: What’s in the Paid Plans?

ChatGPT Plus and Google Gemini Advanced are the premium versions of these chatbots. They’re slightly slower, but the answers are more detailed and accurate. Both also provide access to advanced image generation features—though, in ChatGPT’s case, you can only generate images on the paid plan.

The paid versions of both chatbots unlock specialized models. OpenAI calls them GPTs, while Google refers to them as Gems. These advanced models can handle larger amounts of data. For example, Gemini Advanced promises to eventually process up to 2 million tokens, which is around 1,500 pages of text! In comparison, ChatGPT Plus handles 64,000 tokens. You can also upload audio or video for analysis, and both chatbots offer more human-like voice modes. For most basic tasks, the free versions are fine, but if you want longer, more in-depth responses, the paid versions are worth considering.

How Do Their Responses Stack Up?

When it comes to product and shopping recommendations, both Gemini and ChatGPT are in a neck-and-neck race. They each had moments of inaccuracy, though. ChatGPT sometimes gave more detailed responses, while Gemini was more direct but occasionally left out key details.

For example, when I asked about a red mid-range turntable, ChatGPT recommended models that didn’t even come in red. Gemini pointed me to the right models but still included one that wasn’t available in that color. This highlights some of the challenges of relying on AI-generated answers—they're a reflection of the average information found online. But both chatbots also suggested some highly accurate options.

When comparing two top gaming OLED TVs—the LG OLED G4 and the Samsung S95D—both bots gave me a solid comparison. ChatGPT did a slightly better job at pointing out the Samsung’s better reflection blocking and even gave me specific response times for gaming, which Gemini couldn’t provide.

ChatGPT Feels More Confident, But Is It Always Right?

While both AI chatbots are good at shopping advice, ChatGPT shines when it comes to deeper discussions, like philosophy. ChatGPT’s tone feels more confident, even if it’s not always correct. Gemini, on the other hand, sometimes comes across as uncertain or overly agreeable, especially when it doesn’t know the exact answer.

Interestingly, Gemini was completely off-limits when I asked about the upcoming U.S. presidential election. It wouldn’t comment on the Trump vs. Harris debate, telling me it wasn’t equipped to handle political questions. ChatGPT, however, quickly summarized what pundits were saying. Still, Gemini isn’t afraid to touch on other sensitive issues—it gave a thoughtful breakdown of both sides of the abortion debate, for example.

They Both Can Get Creative—Sometimes Too Much So

I asked both chatbots to write a short story in the style of All The Dirty Parts by Daniel Handler. Instead of a gritty tale of teenage drama, they both ended up writing about chocolate! Perhaps the bots were avoiding the explicit nature of the original story. When I switched to a more kid-friendly request, asking them to write like Dr. Seuss, Gemini’s story felt a bit too close to The Whos of Whoville, while ChatGPT came up with a new character, Fizzle McSound.

Gemini’s Free Plan Offers Image Generation

One big plus for Gemini is that it can generate images for free, while ChatGPT requires the paid plan to do that. While Gemini can’t create images of people yet, its image generation is still decent, though there’s a bit of AI weirdness in some pictures.

Final Thoughts: Which Chatbot Wins?

After trying out both ChatGPT and Google Gemini, it’s clear that Gemini has improved a lot. It hallucinates less than it used to and holds its own against ChatGPT-4o mini. However, Gemini can feel a bit too careful, especially when it refuses to answer politically sensitive questions. ChatGPT, on the other hand, doesn’t shy away from these topics.

If you’re looking for extra features, Gemini has a slight advantage with its integration into Google’s ecosystem, allowing for things like Maps connectivity and image generation. But both chatbots can answer most questions well enough. And if one doesn’t, you can always switch to the other with just a click.