AI tools compared
Which assistant is worth paying for, and for what. What it actually costs. Where one is stronger than the other. Comparisons based on real use rather than spec sheets, so you can choose without trying them all.
Tools compared 16
- Better a general-purpose AI or a specialized one?General-purpose or specialized AI: a good all-rounder covers almost everything. A specialized one is worth it when a task is central. Start with the generalist.
- Better an AI that's more creative or one that's more accurate on facts?AI more creative or more accurate on facts: it depends on what getting it wrong costs you. Often the axis shifts with words in the same tool.
- Which AI pesters me least with commercial offers and upsells?Which AI with fewer commercial offers: it depends on the business model. Pure subscription or local models for zero noise. Ask yourself how it makes money.
- Flat subscription or pay-as-you-go: which is better for AI?Flat subscription or pay-as-you-go: flat for steady use, pay-as-you-go for spiky use. The regularity of your use decides, not the slogan.
- Which AI do I choose for Italian and for working in several languages?Which AI for Italian and multilingual work: for Italian try two and choose the most natural. All stronger in English; on rare languages verify more.
- The limits of free AIs compared: which one "squeezes" the least?The limits of free AIs: who downgrades softly, who makes you wait, who's generous on a feature. Keep two or three free plans.
- Creative or professional writing: which AI do I need?Creative or professional writing, which AI: Claude for voice, ChatGPT and Gemini for precision and structure. Choose for what's at stake in the text.
- AI that's fast and concise or slow and thorough: which do I need?AI fast and concise or slow and thorough: quick for everyday questions, reflective for serious problems. Often it's the same AI with multiple gears.
- Are there AIs for beginners and AIs for experts? Which is for me?AI for beginners or experts: they aren't different products, it's the same tool at different depths. Choose one that grows with you.
- AIs that write code: when do I really need them?AIs that generate code, when you need them: generalists for formulas and small scripts, code tools for those who develop seriously. What you build matters.
- Which AI is best for studying and which for teaching?Which AI for studying and teaching: for studying understand and check without shortcuts, for teaching produce and adapt material. Two opposite purposes.
- AIs that read attached files: which one to choose?AIs that read files: NotebookLM works only on the sources you upload and cites the point, Claude handles long texts, generalists for occasional attachments.
- AI with or without built-in web search: which do I need?AI with or without web search: with search for up-to-date facts and sources, without for texts and reasoning. The real question is when to enable it.
- Should I get an AI with a voice, or is text enough for me?AI with voice or text only: voice for busy hands and mobility, text for precision and archiving. Assistants do both: choose for how you use it.
- Which AI is best for writing creative texts and content?Which AI for creative texts and content: Claude for voice and long texts, ChatGPT all-rounder, Gemini in Google. Choose by task, not by ranking.
- ChatGPT or Gemini for Research and Up-to-Date Information