ChatGPT vs Gemini
ChatGPT and Gemini both start with settings that let the company do more with your conversations than a careful user would choose. The switch you get differs: OpenAI's stops training, Google's cuts how long your chats are kept.
Where we earn from a click, it says so under the button.
ChatGPT
AI chatbot that trains on your chats by default unless you opt out.
Gemini
AI assistant that keeps chat activity by default, human reviewers included.
Prices last checked on
| Feature | ChatGPT | Gemini |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | n/a | n/a |
| Price | From €8/mo | From €4.99/mo |
| Free plan | ||
| Best for | Anyone comparing mainstream AI assistants on privacy | Comparing mainstream AI assistants on data privacy |
| Category | Private AI and encrypted apps | Private AI and encrypted apps |
| Provider | OpenAI | Google LLC |
| Visit ChatGPT | Visit Gemini |
Our verdict
ChatGPT is the slightly better choice for privacy, because its opt-out deals directly with training: one click on "do not train on my content" at privacy.openai.com, and OpenAI no longer trains on your conversations. Gemini keeps your activity for 18 months by default.
Switch "Keep Activity" off and chats are deleted after 72 hours, which is a clear limit. The catch is human review: chats a reviewer has looked at stay with Google for up to three years, even after you delete your activity. Gemini is cheaper, though: Google AI Plus costs €4.99 a month, ChatGPT Go €8.
If the lower price weighs more for you, Gemini with Keep Activity switched off is a reasonable pick.
Frequently asked questions
Do humans read my Gemini chats?
Some of them may be read. Chats that Google's human reviewers have looked at, along with related data such as your language, device type, location info and feedback, are not deleted when you delete your activity. Google keeps them for up to three years. Client files and health details are better kept out of your prompts.
How do I turn off Gemini activity?
Open Gemini Apps Activity at myactivity.google.com/product/gemini and switch "Keep Activity" off. Chats are then kept for 72 hours instead of 18 months, the same as a temporary chat. On that page you can also delete earlier activity by hand. The exception is any chat a human reviewer has seen: that can stay for up to three years.
What is a private alternative to ChatGPT and Gemini?
Duck.ai, Brave Leo and Lumo from Proton all state that they do not train on your chats. Duck.ai is free, needs no account and removes your IP address before a question reaches the model. Lumo runs its models on servers Proton controls. Claude only trains on chats you have allowed.
Is Gemini cheaper than ChatGPT?
Yes, at the entry level. Google AI Plus costs €4.99 a month and ChatGPT Go costs €8, both as listed on the providers' own pricing pages. Each service also has a free plan: Gemini's includes Deep Research and Gemini Live, and ChatGPT's includes voice chats and image generation.