ChatGPT vs Grok

Short answer: neither wins at everything.

Pick ChatGPT if you want one app that does a bit of everything: chat, voice, images, files and deep research.

Pick Grok if you want real-time context from X, or you already pay for the X Subscription.

ChatGPT vs Grok side by side

	ChatGPT	Grok
What it is	Chat app from OpenAI	Chat app from xAI, sold with the X Subscription
Made by	OpenAI	xAI
Price	Free $0; Go $8/mo (US); Plus $20/mo; Pro 100 $100, Pro 200 $200, Pro 500 $500 /mo	X Subscription (replaces SuperGrok for new subscribers): Free (limited Grok chat); Plus $8; Premium $30 (adds Grok Bot, video); Super $100; Ultra $200 /mo
Free plan	Yes	Yes
Good at	Broadest feature set in one app: voice, images, files, deep research; Best for: all-rounder, data analysis, images, voice	Real-time X context; bundled with Cursor and X Premium in one subscription; Best for: real-time X context, images, everyday
Watch out for	Go plan may include ads (OpenAI pricing page)	Grok Bot and video need Premium ($30)
Privacy	Personal accounts: chats may train models by default; turn off 'Improve the model for everyone' in Data Controls. Business/Enterprise: no training by default	Not listed in our data
Where it runs	web, iOS, Android	Not listed in our data
Status	Current. Custom GPTs retire Dec 11, 2026 (Enterprise workspaces with an approved delay: Feb 11, 2027); OpenAI says move them to Plugins. Existing chats with GPTs stay accessible. New Oct 20, 2026: locked chats (hide a chat behind a 4-digit PIN or device unlock) rolling out to Free, Go, Plus and Pro	Current
Sources	chatgpt.com · openai.com · help.openai.com · help.openai.com (2) · help.openai.com (3) · help.openai.com (4)	cursor.com · x.ai

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Still not sure? Answer 4 quick questions and WhichBot will point you to one AI to open, or check the AI you already use.

Questions people ask

Is ChatGPT or Grok better?

It depends on what you do. Pick ChatGPT if you want one app that does a bit of everything: chat, voice, images, files and deep research. Pick Grok if you want real-time context from X, or you already pay for the X Subscription.

Is ChatGPT free?

Yes. ChatGPT has a free plan. Plans: Free $0; Go $8/mo (US); Plus $20/mo; Pro 100 $100, Pro 200 $200, Pro 500 $500 /mo.

Is Grok free?

Yes. Grok has a free plan. Plans: X Subscription (replaces SuperGrok for new subscribers): Free (limited Grok chat); Plus $8; Premium $30 (adds Grok Bot, video); Super $100; Ultra $200 /mo.

Can I try both ChatGPT and Grok?

Yes. Both have a free plan, so you can try each one on the same task and keep the one you like.

How does WhichBot decide?

Hector uses a written rubric: everyday usefulness, cost and free plans, privacy, reliability, ease of use, availability and safety. Rankings are one input, not the answer.

Facts come from the companies' own pages, linked above, and were last checked Oct 28, 2026. Prices are US and can change. Picks are Hector's: no paid picks, sponsors always labeled, and no sponsorship from AI labs. Our policy.