We get asked this question at least ten times a week. "Should we use ChatGPT or something else?" The right answer depends on your situation — and this comparison is here to give you a straight answer, free of jargon and hidden promotion.
Why this comparison — and why we'll be honest about it
At LTC Group, we implement all three tools for our clients depending on their needs. So we have no interest in favouring one over the others.
This comparison is based on our daily use with Belgian SMEs since 2024. We have tested each tool on real-world cases: writing quotes, responding to client emails, analysing contracts, preparing meetings, summarising HR documents.
The conclusion is simple: each has its strengths. Your choice should depend on your current tools, your primary use case, and your price tolerance.
ChatGPT — the pioneer, still leading the pack
ChatGPT was launched by OpenAI in November 2022. It is the tool that put generative AI on the map for the general public. In 2026, it remains the reference against which everything else is measured.
What it does very well: versatility. Write, brainstorm, code, generate ideas, analyse an Excel file, create an image, summarise a YouTube video — ChatGPT does all of this in a single interface. The GPT-4o version is fast, capable of handling images and files, and has persistent conversation memory.
Where it falls short: long, complex documents in French. On a 50-page document or a contract to analyse in depth, it can lose the thread. Its French writing quality is good, but not optimal — it has a slight "translated from English" feel that attentive readers will notice.
Price: €20 to €25/month for the Pro version (ChatGPT Plus). A free version exists but with significant limitations on GPT-4o.
Data: hosted by OpenAI in the United States. Companies can disable the use of their data for training, but data still passes through American servers.
Claude — the most readable, the best in French
Claude is developed by Anthropic, a company founded by former OpenAI researchers. In 2026, Claude 3.5 Sonnet and Claude Opus 4 are recognised by writing professionals as the best models for drafting in French.
What it does very well: writing quality. Claude writes in French like an educated native speaker — not like a translation. On long documents (contracts, reports, analyses), it remains coherent across 50, 100 or 200 pages. It is also remarkably honest about what it does not know, which makes it more reliable for important decisions.
Where it falls short: image generation (not natively possible), real-time web browsing, and integration with Google tools. Its interface is more understated — fewer "gadget" features, more focus on text.
Price: €18 to €22/month for Claude Pro. Access to Opus 4 is included in the subscription.
Data: hosted by Anthropic in the United States. Same GDPR framework as OpenAI.
Gemini — the Google advantage for teams living in Workspace
Gemini is the commercial name for Google's AI models. Its great strength: native integration with the entire Google Workspace suite — Gmail, Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Drive, Google Meet.
What it does very well: if your team works in Gmail and Google Docs, Gemini is built directly into your everyday tools. It can draft an email in Gmail, analyse a spreadsheet in Sheets, create a summary in Docs — without copy-pasting. It is the only one of the three to integrate directly into your working tools rather than running as a separate interface.
Where it falls short: French writing quality is good, but slightly behind Claude for nuanced text. Its standalone interface is less mature than ChatGPT or Claude.
Price: available in Google One AI Premium at €21.99/month, which also includes 2 TB of Google Drive storage.
Data: hosted by Google, with European data centres available via Google Workspace Enterprise. The GDPR situation is more favourable than the other two if you use a Workspace enterprise plan configured for Europe.
The full comparison — 8 criteria to help you choose
Pricing and access conditions
| Criterion | ChatGPT | Claude | Gemini |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly price (Pro) | €20–25 | €18–22 | €21.99 (AI Premium) |
| Free version | Yes (limited) | Yes (limited) | Yes (limited) |
| Included bonus | None | Opus 4 access | 2 TB Google Drive |
| Team plan | ChatGPT Teams (~€25/user) | Claude for Business (~€30/user) | Workspace Business |
Quality, integration and data
| Criterion | ChatGPT | Claude | Gemini |
|---|---|---|---|
| French writing quality | Good | Excellent | Good |
| Long documents (50+ pages) | Good | Excellent | Good |
| Image generation | Yes (DALL-E) | No | Yes (Imagen) |
| Google Workspace integration | Via extension | Via extension | Native |
| Outlook / Teams integration | Separate Copilot | Separate Copilot | Limited |
| Data hosting | US (OpenAI) | US (Anthropic) | US / EU depending on plan |
| Support & assistance | Chat only | Chat only | Chat only |
Our recommendation based on your profile
of Belgian SMEs already use an AI tool in 2026 (Digital Wallonia Barometer 2025)
average cost per hour of work saved with a well-used LLM (LTC Group Analysis, 2025)
of business AI users have received no training (McKinsey, 2025)
The LTC Group approach
ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini are excellent tools to get started. But for SMEs that want to truly industrialise AI — automate processes, integrate their CRM, messaging, ERP — you need to go beyond a chat interface.
At LTC Group, we configure AI agents that connect to your real tools, stay hosted in Europe, and require no technical skills from your team. And to help your team genuinely master these tools day to day, discover our AI training programmes for SMEs. Free diagnostic in 45 minutes — no commitment.