ChatGPT vs Claude: Which AI Is Better for Deep Research?

AI is moving fast. So fast that it can be hard to keep up.

But if you’re using tools like ChatGPT or Claude in your accounting firm or business, understanding their strengths — especially in areas like deep research — can give you a real edge.

Both tools now offer powerful research capabilities. But how do they compare? And which one should you use?

Watch the full video on this topic here.

Why Compare ChatGPT and Claude?

If you’re serious about saving time and working smarter, you’ve probably already used tools like ChatGPT. And now Claude has stepped up too — adding features that go beyond basic Q&A. The big new one? Deep research.

But here's the key part: not all AI research tools are created equal. If you’re using AI for things like:

• Summarising complex legislation
• Researching tax changes
• Building detailed reports for clients

...then choosing the right tool matters.

Deep Research Features Explained

So what is "deep research"?

Think of it like this: instead of summarising general info, the AI reads hundreds of online sources and creates a custom report — tailored to your question.

It’s especially useful when you need:

• Multi-step analysis
• Up-to-date information
• Source links for fact-checking

Both Claude and ChatGPT offer this now — but they do it differently.

Claude’s Deep Research: Features and Findings

Claude’s research tool is now live — originally only for Max users, but now also on the Pro plan.

Here’s what stood out:

• It scans hundreds of sources. In one test, it accessed 324 webpages in just 7 minutes.
• You get a detailed research plan before the report starts — outlining exactly how it will work.
• It includes linked sources throughout the report.
• You can download as markdown or PDF, but the PDF export is a bit clunky for now.
• There’s no clear usage limit on Pro — which can be frustrating if you’re trying to plan your usage.

One important note: Claude sometimes skips asking follow-up questions, which means if your prompt isn’t detailed enough, it’ll use up your research quota on something vague.

So always give full context in the first prompt.

ChatGPT’s Deep Research: Features and Findings

ChatGPT’s approach is a little different — and in some ways, more polished.

• First, it asks clarifying questions before starting the research. This helps save your research tokens.
• It analysed just 37 sources for the same prompt, but produced a longer and more detailed report.
• Reports are neatly formatted with headings and bullet points.
• The download feature creates a well-formatted PDF with clickable links.

It's available on the Free, Plus and Pro plans — though usage may vary depending on the plan.

So, while it’s a little slower than Claude, the output often feels more thorough.

Summary Comparison: Pros and Cons

Here’s how they stack up:

So which is best?

It depends on the task.

Claude is lightning fast and good for breadth. ChatGPT is better for depth, polish, and user-friendliness.

Pro Tip

Always give full context in your first prompt — especially with Claude. It won’t always ask follow-up questions before it uses up your research allowance.

FAQ

Can you use both AI tools at the same time?

Yes — and I recommend it! Run the same prompt and compare outputs.

Is Claude’s deep research available on the free plan?

No, it’s only available on the Pro and Max plans.

Does ChatGPT offer deep research on the free plan?

Yes — but it’s limited, and not as powerful as the paid versions.

Want to Learn More?

If you want to stay ahead of AI and learn how to use it in your firm…

👉 Join my free community: ChatGPT for Accountants & Bookkeepers.

You’ll get:

• News and Updates in the world of AI
• Free Video Training Courses
• Reminders and Recordings of Live Training Events
• A growing Community of forward-thinking professionals

Final Thoughts

There’s no rule that says you have to pick just one. In fact, many firms benefit from using both tools side-by-side. Run the same prompt in each, compare the results, and see what suits your needs.

That’s exactly what I do.

The point is this — these tools are becoming essential in how we research, learn, and communicate with clients.

And if you know how to use them properly, they’ll save you hours every week.

Don’t forget to check out the full video on this topic to see the prompts I used and their results!

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Wishing you every success on your pricing journey

The Value Pricing Academy Team