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Two chatbots I frequently use are ChatGPT Plus and Gemini Advanced, so of course I had to put the two cutting-edge, conversational AI to the test to see which one gets the best results. They both excel in different areas, and I use them both daily, but the purpose here is to determine which one shines the brightest overall.
ChatGPT typically does better with creative and emphatic tasks while Gemini seems to be the strongest contender for developers and researchers. I needed to know how the paid versions of these chatbots (about $20 per month) compared. Here's what happened when I put the two popular AI heavyweights up against each other with 7 prompts – the results were illuminating.
1. Storytelling
Prompt: "Write the opening scene of a fantasy novel where a reluctant hero discovers they have the power to control time."
ChatGPT Plus generally delivers a strong narrative with rich descriptions and suspenseful storytelling. For this prompt, however, the story lacked the depth and detail that I’m used to from the chatbot. For an opening scene, the story lacked a captivating hook, almost feeling like an experimental response rather than something linear and cohesive.
Gemini Advanced surprised me with a robust opening that kept pulling me in. It was full of depth and excitement with descriptions that seemed both natural and believable. Gemini is not usually the better storyteller, but Gemini Advanced did a solid job here.
Winner: Gemini Advanced for its polished, reader-friendly storytelling.
2. Python scripting
Prompt: "Generate a Python script to scrape the first 10 headlines from a news website and save them in a CSV file."
ChatGPT Plus did an excellent job producing accurate and functional code with clear comments, but I noticed a few issues where I would have to do a few minor tweaks if I was going to use the code for a real-world implementation.
Gemini Advanced not only delivered a usable script but included more advanced error-handling features, like retries for failed requests and a full explanation for utilization. The chatbot went above and beyond to ensure that I got everything I needed.
Winner: Gemini Advanced for offering a more robust solution.
3. Schedule creation
Prompt: "Create a daily schedule for a working mom with three kids balancing remote work, school drop-offs, and fitness."
ChatGPT Plus offered a schedule similar to Gemini Advanced, factoring in time for self-care and family activities, but it seemed unrealistic in parts and lacked depth and clarification in parts, which made it seem more mechanical.
Gemini Advanced generated an efficient schedule that was slightly more realistic, but offered personalization including ways to multi-task throughout the day and emphasizing self-care.
Winner: Gemini Advanced for its nuanced understanding of being a mom and adding emotional context throughout the schedule.
4. Summarization
Prompt: "Summarize the differences between renewable and non-renewable energy in 150 words and explain why transitioning is crucial."
ChatGPT Plus provided a concise summary with clear comparisons and compelling arguments for renewable energy.
Gemini Advanced delivered a more detailed response, diving into economic and environmental impacts, while also breaking up the text so it was easier to digest.
Winner: Gemini Advanced for adhering to the prompt’s constraints while staying impactful and helpful response.
5. Job interview prep
Prompt: "Act as a career coach for a content strategist job interview."
ChatGPT Plus: Engaged in a dynamic roleplay, offering potential interview questions while also providing tailored answers and actionable tips.
Gemini Advanced: Focused on general advice but with less interaction that would have required follow up prompts. Gemini seems to be more conversational, but this time lacked the conversation I wanted.
Winner: ChatGPT Plus for its conversational adaptability and overall helpfulness.
6. Logical problem-solving
Prompt: "Solve this problem step by step: A train leaves Station A at 8:00 AM traveling at 60 mph. Another train leaves Station B at 9:00 AM traveling at 90 mph on the same track toward Station A, which is 300 miles away. When do the trains meet?"
ChatGPT Plus: Solved the problem with clear and showed the work, but didn’t offer as much information as Gemini with the reasoning behind each step.
Gemini Advanced: Also solved it accurately but included a detailed explanation of the physics involved, adding depth.
Winner: Gemini Advanced for its detailed insights.
7. Image prompt generation
Prompt: "Describe an image of a futuristic city powered entirely by renewable energy."
ChatGPT Plus: Painted several vivid pictures with imaginative details, emphasizing eco-friendly technology and lush greenery.
Gemini Advanced: Gemini does well with image generation, but this time it delivered an image without any description, completely failing the assignment.
Winner: ChatGPT Plus for its engaging, creative imagery.
Overall winner: Gemini Advanced
ChatGPT Plus and Gemini Advanced delivered responses to each prompt with detail and speed. Yet, Gemini Advanced stood out with more depth and detail with nearly every answer. It’s conversation style and tone were much more human-like, particularly in places that mattered such as making sure my “mom” schedule worked for me and encouraging users who may be gearing up for an interview. Gemini Advanced seemed to offer more emotion and thoughtfulness with each response.
Both chatbots are approximately $20 per month, although Gemini Advanced offers a free month and then two more months at half the price. The free month is a great way to see how Gemini Advanced handles your needs. You can always mix and match or stick to both, like me.
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