ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Copilot & Grok compared

The tools at a glance

The most important AI chat tools compared directly — maker, strength, price, and EU privacy fit:

* Microsoft Copilot runs in the EU Data Boundary but, since April 2026, may leave the EU during peak load ("Flex Routing"). Sources: vendor sites & trade press, May 2026.

Short profiles of the main tools

ChatGPT (OpenAI)

The best-known all-rounder with the largest ecosystem (custom GPTs, image generation via DALL·E, voice mode). Strong in coding and general tasks. Weakness: a confusing model lineup and strict limits on the free tier. EU data residency is available only for Enterprise/Edu/API.

Google Gemini

Deeply integrated into Google Workspace, Android, and Search; very strong on long context and multimodal tasks (image, video, audio). An obvious choice for anyone already working in the Google ecosystem.

Anthropic Claude

Considered one of the strongest options for programming and long, precise text, with a pronounced safety focus. No native image generation, and a smaller consumer reach than OpenAI or Google. Update June 2026: With Claude Fable 5, Anthropic introduced a new model class above Opus.

Microsoft Copilot

The first choice if your company runs on Microsoft 365: Copilot works directly inside Word, Excel, Teams, and Outlook. Strong on enterprise compliance — but total cost is higher, since an M365 license is required.

xAI Grok

Unique for its real-time access to X/Twitter data and a cheap entry via the X subscription. Full access to the top model is expensive, though, and EU privacy options are weak.

Perplexity

Not a classic chatbot but an answer engine: every answer comes with sources. Ideal for research. On the free tier you cannot see which model is answering.

Mistral (Le Chat)

The European provider from France — with EU data residency by default and the cheapest consumer plan. Often the most pragmatic choice for GDPR-sensitive use, even if pure benchmark peaks sit with the US models.

DeepSeek

From China, with an unbeatably cheap API and strong reasoning; the models are open and self-hostable. For EU companies handling personal data, however, it is tricky — DeepSeek was blocked in Italy on privacy grounds.

Meta Llama / Meta AI

Llama offers leading open models for self-hosting and full data control. In 2026, however, Meta introduced "Muse Spark," its first proprietary top model — so the open-source future is more open than before.

Which AI tool for which job?

• Coding: Claude and ChatGPT lead the coding benchmarks; Gemini is strong on large codebases.
• Research with sources: Perplexity — cites every statement and works in real time.
• Text & marketing: ChatGPT (reach, tools) and Claude (long, nuanced text).
• Images: ChatGPT (DALL·E) and Gemini (multimodal). Claude has no native image generation.
• Enterprise / EU-sensitive: Mistral (EU default), Copilot (after checking Flex Routing), or self-hosted Llama.
• Price / value: DeepSeek (API) and Mistral Pro; open models when self-hosting.
• Real-time / news: Grok (X data) and Perplexity.

Data privacy: what matters for EU businesses

For European companies, the deciding factor is not the benchmark peak but where the data is processed. Three points from practice:

• Mistral is the only major provider with EU data residency by default — the simplest GDPR answer for personal data.
• Microsoft Copilot runs in the EU Data Boundary but, since April 2026, may process outside the EU during peak load ("Flex Routing"). This setting should be reviewed actively.
• DeepSeek processes in China and was blocked in Italy — hard to justify for personal data without self-hosting in the EU.

In general: US providers usually offer EU data residency only on enterprise/API plans, not on the cheap consumer subscriptions. If you use AI with customer data, clarify this upfront — we are happy to help.

Verdict

There is no single best AI tool. The right choice depends on the use case, the existing tech stack, and your privacy requirements. Our advice: test two or three tools for the specific job — and for sensitive data, factor in the EU question from the start.

Sources & status (May 2026)

Figures from the official vendor pages, as of May 2026 — versions and prices change frequently:

• OpenAI · ChatGPT
• Google · Gemini
• Anthropic · Claude
• Microsoft · Copilot
• xAI · Grok
• Perplexity
• Mistral
• DeepSeek
• Meta · Llama

We sum up the latest moves weekly — e.g. in the AI Recap, week 21.