ChatGPT (OpenAI)

Best for data analysis with Code Interpreter, custom workflow automation via Custom GPTs, and image + text in one chat.

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Best for

Excel and CSV analysis you don't want to write formulas for — Advanced Data Analysis (formerly Code Interpreter) runs Python on uploaded files and shows the work
Custom GPTs for your firm's repeated workflows (intake scripts, RMD-reminder wrappers, prospect-to-CRM pipelines)
Image generation with DALL·E for client-facing materials, blog visuals, and quick mockups — no separate tool needed
Voice mode for hands-free brainstorming or rehearsing a client conversation while you drive between meetings

Avoid

Long-form client emails where voice matters — output reads salesier than Claude's; use Claude as the writer and ChatGPT as the analyst
Citation-heavy market research — ChatGPT browsing works but Perplexity ships better source attribution
Anything client-related on the free or Plus tier without your own review — output tone varies more than Claude across runs

Shortcuts

Custom GPTs bake firm-specific instructions, disclaimers, and uploaded reference docs into a reusable assistant — make one for client emails, another for prepping compliance review
Memory (Settings → Personalization) remembers your firm name, voice preferences, and recurring context across chats — turn it on once your style is dialled in
Projects group related chats with shared context, files, and instructions — use one per major client or per workflow type so context is scoped, not bleeding across topics
@-mention other GPTs mid-chat to chain capabilities (draft in a writing GPT, then @ your compliance-review GPT to vet it)

Model variants

All active ChatGPT models belong to the GPT-5 family as of February 2026 — the older GPT-4 series and o-series reasoning models have been retired. The current default routing (May 2026) is GPT-5.5, with sub-variants automatically selected per task. You generally pick a tier (Free / Plus / Business) rather than a specific model.

Compliance gotchas

Free-tier interactions can be used to train future models. Never paste client PII (account numbers, SSNs, balances) into the free tier.
Plus ($20/mo) lets you opt out of training per chat in Settings → Data Controls — but Team ($25-30/user/mo) and Enterprise are zero-retention by default and the only tiers we recommend for any client data.
Custom GPT instructions and uploaded reference files are visible to OpenAI for safety review — treat them as firm-sensitive, not strictly confidential.
DALL·E-generated images can contain identifiable artifacts (warped text, unnatural fingers) — review every image before client use. Most jurisdictions also require AI-disclosure language on client-facing imagery; check your state's rule.

Compliance posture last verified 2026-05-29. Full posture matrix →

Pricing

Free tier (limited GPT-5.5, slower models otherwise). Plus $20/mo (full model access, Custom GPTs, image generation, voice). Business/Team $20/user/mo annual (cut from $25 in April 2026) or $30/user/mo monthly — zero retention + admin controls, recommended for advisory firms. Enterprise (contact sales) for SSO, DLP, audit log, longer context.