Survey: Claude outranks ChatGPT among tech-savvy AI users, and other findings

PCMag’s inaugural survey of generative AI tools reveals surprising preferences among tech-savvy users, with Anthropic’s Claude emerging as the top choice for personal use despite being less well-known than industry giants like OpenAI and Google. The comprehensive survey, conducted from February 22 to March 12, 2025, gathered responses from PCMag readers about their experiences with AI chatbots and image generators.

The results paint a nuanced picture of AI adoption: while 68% of respondents believe AI will replace human jobs, they rate their personal job security concerns at just 4.2 out of 10. Meanwhile, 91% want government regulation of AI development, and 62% haven’t reduced their traditional search engine usage despite AI availability.

Survey methodology and context

PCMag surveyed its readers during a period of rapid AI evolution, with several major model updates occurring during the survey window. The timing coincided with significant releases including Claude 4 and improvements to OpenAI’s image generation capabilities, factors that may have influenced user perceptions.

Notably, 45% of respondents claim to read AI service privacy policies, while 25% admit to sharing personal information with AI chatbots. This data sharing occurs despite widespread privacy concerns, as most AI companies collect user data for model training by default.

The top 5 AI chatbots for personal use

1. Anthropic’s Claude

Claude, developed by Anthropic (founded by former OpenAI researchers), claims the top spot for both personal use and free AI chatbots. The assistant, named after AI research pioneer Claude Shannon, launched in 2023 with a focus on safety and reliability.

Users praise Claude’s accuracy and source attribution. “Claude AI is my go-to for when I have quite complex interactive questions to ask,” one respondent noted. “Most important, when I have fact-checked [Claude’s] information, it has always proven to be accurate.”

Claude’s privacy-first approach sets it apart—Anthropic doesn’t train models on user data by default. However, it lacks some features like comprehensive web search and built-in image generation that competitors offer.

2. OpenAI’s ChatGPT

ChatGPT, the tool that sparked mainstream AI adoption, ranks second for personal use but leads in business applications. The platform offers both free and paid tiers, with paid subscribers (ChatGPT Plus at $20/month) reporting significantly higher satisfaction scores (8.7 out of 10) compared to free users (7.0 out of 10).

Recent updates integrated advanced image generation directly into the GPT-4o model, dramatically improving visual content creation capabilities. Users report ChatGPT excels at creative tasks, with one respondent using it to create an entire Dungeons & Dragons campaign complete with character images and maps.

3. Google Gemini

Google’s Gemini earns recognition for superior data sourcing, providing the most current information and comprehensive citations among major chatbots. This advantage stems from Google’s vast search infrastructure and real-time web access capabilities.

Gemini integrates seamlessly with Google’s ecosystem of productivity tools, making it particularly valuable for users already embedded in Google Workspace environments.

4. Microsoft Copilot

Microsoft’s Copilot, integrated across the company’s software suite, consistently ranks fourth across all survey categories. Despite being powered by OpenAI’s technology, Copilot focuses heavily on workplace safety and policy compliance.

The tool excels in professional environments where content moderation and corporate governance matter most, though it trails competitors in overall accuracy and detail.

5. DeepSeek

The Chinese open-source AI model DeepSeek rounds out the rankings, notable primarily for its low development cost ($5.5 million compared to tens of millions for competitors) and free access model. However, survey results suggest it hasn’t lived up to initial industry excitement.

DeepSeek remains popular among software developers seeking cost-effective API access, though concerns about potential political bias limit broader adoption.

AI image generation rankings

1. OpenAI (ChatGPT/DALL-E)

OpenAI narrowly leads image generation, helped by the integration of advanced visual capabilities directly into ChatGPT during the survey period. The new system dramatically improved text rendering in images and consistency across multiple iterations—longtime weaknesses in AI image creation.

2. Microsoft (Copilot)

Microsoft’s image generation, also powered by OpenAI technology, ranks second but focuses more heavily on content safety and policy compliance for business users.

Business applications and workplace adoption

For workplace use, OpenAI maintains a clear advantage over Microsoft Copilot despite both platforms using similar underlying technology. ChatGPT scores a full point higher in overall business satisfaction, excelling in accuracy, detail, and information sourcing.

However, workplace AI adoption remains limited among survey respondents, with only OpenAI and Microsoft generating sufficient business-use responses for meaningful analysis. This suggests significant room for growth in professional AI implementation.

Privacy and data considerations

AI privacy remains a critical concern for business users. Most AI platforms collect extensive user data for model training, making careful evaluation of privacy policies essential. Companies should establish clear guidelines about what information employees can share with AI tools, particularly regarding proprietary or sensitive business data.

Anthropic’s privacy-focused approach offers advantages for organizations with strict data governance requirements, while other platforms may provide more features at the cost of data sharing.

Practical implications for businesses

The survey results suggest several key considerations for organizations evaluating AI tools:

• Cost vs. capability trade-offs: Free versions often provide adequate functionality for basic tasks, but paid subscriptions deliver significantly better performance and additional features
• Integration requirements: Tools that work within existing software ecosystems (like Microsoft Copilot with Office 365) may provide better workflow integration despite potentially lower standalone performance
• Data governance: Organizations must balance AI capabilities against privacy and security requirements, particularly when handling sensitive information
• Use case specificity: Different tools excel in different areas—Claude for accuracy and safety, ChatGPT for creativity and business applications, Gemini for research and current information

Looking ahead

The AI landscape continues evolving rapidly, with major model updates occurring monthly rather than annually. This pace of change means today’s rankings may shift significantly as companies release new capabilities and refine existing features.

For businesses considering AI adoption, the survey suggests starting with specific use cases rather than broad implementation. Success appears to correlate more with thoughtful application than with choosing the “best” overall tool.

Disclosure: Ziff Davis, PCMag’s parent company, filed a lawsuit against OpenAI in April 2025, alleging copyright infringement in AI system training and operation.