ChatGPT vs Claude: A Simple Guide for Canadian Small-Business Owners

You keep hearing about ChatGPT and Claude. Maybe a friend uses one. Maybe you wonder if you’re falling behind.

You’re not. Most business owners are just starting out with AI too.

What are ChatGPT and Claude?

ChatGPT and Claude are AI assistants. You type a question or a request in plain words. It writes back, like a text conversation.

You don’t need special skills. If you can send a text message, you can use them.

A new business owner might ask them to help:

• come up with ideas, like names for a new service
• plan a busy week or a product launch
• write a first draft of an email, flyer or social media post
• read something you wrote and suggest fixes

Who makes them?

ChatGPT is made by OpenAI. OpenAI researches AI and builds AI tools for people to use. ChatGPT came out in 2022.

Claude is made by Anthropic. Anthropic researches AI, with a focus on making it safe. Claude came out in 2023.

Both companies are based in San Francisco, in the United States.

Can I use them in Canada?

Yes. Both are officially available in Canada. You can use them:

• on a computer, in your web browser, at chatgpt.com and claude.ai
• on your phone, with the free app for iPhone or Android

Can I start for free?

Yes. Both have a free version. If it asks you to sign up or log in, a free account is fine.

The free versions have limits. They just work in different ways.

ChatGPT Free: You can keep having regular written chats. But extras have their own limits. These include uploading files, making pictures, talking out loud (voice) and deeper research.

Claude Free: Your use is counted in blocks of time. Your limit resets every five hours. How many messages you get can change, depending on how busy Claude is.

If you hit a limit, don’t worry. You haven’t done anything wrong. Take a break and come back later.

What do the paid plans cost?

You don’t need to pay to get started. But if you want more, here are the starting plans for one person.

These are the US prices each company lists. In Canada, checkout may show the price in Canadian dollars. The amount can be different, and tax is added.

Before you subscribe, check the final price in Canadian dollars, with tax, on the checkout page.

Prices and limits checked September 24, 2026. They change often, so check each website for the latest.

What differences matter to a beginner?

Here’s a side-by-side look at what matters when you’re starting out.

Past the price, the differences that matter most are personal. When you try each one, notice:

• How it feels to use. Is it easy to find your way around?
• Whether the answers help. Could you use what it wrote for your business?
• The tools you need. Do you need pictures, files or voice? Or just writing?
• How soon you hit a limit. Does the free version last long enough for you?

Try this as your first prompt

What you type into ChatGPT or Claude is called a prompt. Think of it as a request to a helper. The more it knows about your business, the better it can help.

Here’s a prompt to copy. Replace the parts in [square brackets] with your own details.

Suggest three easy-to-start marketing ideas for my new [business type] in [city or province]. My customers are [customer type]. I can spend [budget] and [hours per week]. For each idea, show the likely cost, the first step and why it may fit my business.

This prompt tells the AI six things:

1. What your business is. For example, dog walking or bookkeeping.
2. Where you work. Your city, town or province.
3. Who your customers are. For example, busy families or local shops.
4. Your budget. How much you can spend, like $100 a month.
5. Your time. How many hours a week you can give it.
6. How you want the answer. Here, it’s three ideas, each with a cost, a first step and a reason.

Here’s what it might look like filled in:

Suggest three easy-to-start marketing ideas for my new dog-walking business in Moncton, New Brunswick. My customers are busy families and older adults. I can spend $100 a month and 3 hours a week. For each idea, show the likely cost, the first step and why it may fit my business.

Then ask one more question

The first answer is a starting point. Pick the idea you like best and ask about it. For example:

Tell me more about idea 2. What should I do this week to get started?

AI works best as a back-and-forth, like a conversation. You don’t have to get it perfect the first time.

These are ideas to try, not a promise of new customers. You know your business and your town. You make the call.

Which one should you try?

Try both. They’re free to start, so you don’t have to choose right away. Here’s an easy way to compare:

1. Open ChatGPT. Paste your filled-in prompt and send it.
2. Open Claude. Paste the same prompt and send it.
3. Ask the same follow-up question in each one.
4. Read both answers side by side.

Then ask yourself:

• Which one was easier to use?
• Which answer would help my business more?
• Did I hit a limit? How soon?

There’s no wrong choice. Some people like one better. Some use both. Pick the one that works for you.

A quick reminder before you act

AI can be very helpful. It can also get things wrong, even when it sounds sure. Before you use anything it writes, ask four questions:

What you share with customers is your promise, whoever wrote the first draft.

Start small. One prompt today is a good first step.