AI Tools

AI chat tools

ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini at a glance

ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini are the three AI chat tools most people start with. This section shows you how to use each one, and how to build small apps with them without writing code.

What are AI chat tools?

Think of ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini as three skilled cooks. They can all make dinner, but each kitchen is set up a little differently. Once you know one kitchen, the others feel familiar.

ChatGPT is made by OpenAI.
Claude is made by Anthropic.
Gemini is made by Google.

All three work the same basic way. You type a message, called a prompt, and the AI writes a reply. All three have free plans, a website, and phone apps.

The chat app vs the model

Each tool has two parts. The chat app is what you see: the website, the buttons, the sidebar. The model is the LLM inside that writes the answers.

A good comparison is a car and its engine. The car gives you seats, a steering wheel, and a radio. The engine makes it move. You can sometimes swap the engine using the model picker.

Feature	ChatGPT	Claude	Gemini
Company	OpenAI	Anthropic	Google
Model family	GPT	Claude	Gemini
Website	chatgpt.com	claude.ai	gemini.google.com
Build feature	Canvas	Artifacts	Canvas

Each chat app wraps a family of models with extra tools.

What can they build?

These tools can do much more than chat. Each one has a workspace that opens next to the chat. The AI writes a document or a small app there, and you can try it right away.

ChatGPT Canvas holds documents and code, with a preview for small apps.
Claude Artifacts show documents, diagrams, and interactive apps in a side panel.
Gemini Canvas works much like ChatGPT's, and can share apps with a link.

For example, you could ask any of them for a tip calculator:

Prompt

Build a simple tip calculator I can preview here. Inputs: bill amount, tip percent, number of people. Show how much each person pays. Make it work well on a phone.

A few seconds later, you can click the buttons and use it. You described the app, and the AI wrote the code.

What you'll learn

ChatGPT basics

Get comfortable with ChatGPT

Building with Canvas

Create small apps inside ChatGPT

Claude basics

Get comfortable with Claude

Projects and Artifacts

Build and share apps inside Claude

Gemini basics

Get comfortable with Gemini

Canvas and Gems

Build apps and custom helpers in Gemini

Comparing models

Where each model fits best

How to use this section

Each tool gets two pages:

Basics — A tour of the interface and its most useful features
Building — How to describe, preview, improve, and share a small app

You can read them in order, or jump to the tool you already use. The last page compares all three side by side.

Create free accounts for ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini before you start. Paid plans are optional. Free plans have usage limits, so check each tool's pricing page if you need more.

Practice

Try these exercises to lock in what you just learned.

Quiz

Not started

What is the difference between ChatGPT and GPT?

What's next?

Let's start with the tool most people have already heard of. Next, you'll get comfortable with ChatGPT.