Guides · Updated 2026-10-14

ChatGPT vs Claude vs Gemini vs Copilot for small business (2026)

"Which AI should I use?" is one of the most common questions small business owners ask. The honest answer: for everyday jobs like drafting emails, quotes and social posts, all four main assistants are capable. The better question is which one fits the software you already use and what you'll pay.

Prices and plan details were checked on each provider's page on 14 October 2026. Our checks of the Google and Anthropic pages showed US-dollar prices; UK prices may differ.

At a glance

| | Free plan | Paid plans | Fits best if you… |

|---|---|---|---|

| ChatGPT | Yes: unlimited everyday text chats, limited uploads and images | Go, Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise; per user per month (see pricing page) | want the widest set of features and plugins |

| Claude | Yes, with usage limits that reset every five hours | Pro $20 a month or $200 a year; Max $100 or $200 a month | work with long documents and careful writing |

| Gemini | Yes, with a Google Account | AI Plus $4.99, AI Pro $19.99, Ultra from $99.99 a month | already use Gmail and Google Docs |

| Microsoft 365 Copilot | No business free plan; trial offered | Copilot Business from £13.80 per user a month (offer; normally £16.10), paid yearly, excl. VAT | already use Outlook, Word, Excel and Teams |

ChatGPT

The most widely known assistant. The free plan covers unlimited everyday text chats, with limits on uploads, images, voice and deep research. OpenAI's pricing page notes that the free and Go plans may include ads. Paid plans add more capable reasoning models, projects and scheduled tasks. Business plans start at two users.

Good for: day-to-day drafting, quick questions, and image creation in one place.

Claude

Anthropic's assistant. Its free plan includes web search, file creation and memory, with usage limits that reset on a rolling five-hour window rather than a fixed message count.

Good for: reading a long contract, tender or policy and summarising it in plain English; longer written pieces.

Gemini

Google's assistant. Free with a Google Account; the paid Google AI plans add higher usage limits and more features, and include extra Google storage.

Good for: businesses that already run on Gmail, Google Calendar and Google Docs.

Microsoft 365 Copilot

Copilot for business sits inside Word, Excel, Outlook and Teams. UK prices are in pounds and exclude VAT. Annual subscriptions auto-renew.

Good for: businesses that already pay for Microsoft 365 and want AI inside the documents and emails they already use.

So which should you choose?

1. Start free. Use the free plan of one assistant for two weeks on real jobs: three customer emails, one quote, one social post.
2. Match it to your software. Google user: try Gemini. Microsoft 365 user: try Copilot. Neither: ChatGPT or Claude.
3. Pay only when you hit a limit. If you keep running out of uploads or messages, that's when a paid plan earns its keep.
4. Set rules first. Whichever you choose, keep customer details out. Our AI policy template covers this.

You'll get more from any of them with good prompts. Try our 50 free ChatGPT prompts, which work in all four.

Sources

ChatGPT pricing · Claude pricing · Google AI plans · Microsoft 365 Copilot pricing (UK)

FAQ

Is ChatGPT Plus worth it for a small business?

Only if you regularly hit the free plan's limits on uploads, images or research. Many sole traders manage on the free plan.

Which AI is best for writing in British English?

All four can write in British English if you ask. Add "Use British spelling" to your prompt.

Can I use more than one?

Yes. Many people use a free plan of a second assistant to double-check important answers.