Comparing AI tools for teachers
Claude, Gemini, ChatGPT, and Copilot — what each is best at, how much it costs, and what to watch out for.
The following comparison covers the four tools most commonly used by secondary school teachers. You do not need to pick just one — many teachers use different tools for different tasks.
Claude
By Anthropic
Widely regarded as one of the strongest tools for extended writing tasks — lesson plans, detailed feedback, long-form explanations. Handles nuance well and follows complex instructions reliably.
Claude Projects let you upload your own materials and set standing instructions, making it particularly well-suited to this site's approach.
Gemini
By Google
Strong integration with Google Workspace — if your school uses Google Classroom, Google Docs, or Gmail, Gemini works alongside those tools directly. Good for teachers already in the Google ecosystem.
Gemini's free tier is accessible via a Google account. The web interface at gemini.google.com works the same way as Claude.
ChatGPT
By OpenAI
The most widely recognised AI tool. Has a large user community and extensive documentation. The free tier is capable, though limited compared to paid tiers. The GPT Store offers specialist custom tools.
Custom instructions and memory features allow some personalisation, though the project-based approach is less developed than Claude's.
Copilot
By Microsoft
The best choice for schools already using Microsoft 365. Copilot integrates directly into Word, Outlook, Teams, and PowerPoint — meaning you can draft a letter in Word with AI assistance without switching tabs.
The standalone Copilot at copilot.microsoft.com is free. The full Microsoft 365 Copilot integration requires a paid licence.
Which tool should I use?
For most secondary school teachers using this site, the following guidance applies.
- If you want the full voice and materials setup described in this site, use Claude. The Projects feature is specifically designed for the approach this site teaches.
- If your school uses Google Workspace (Google Docs, Classroom, Gmail), use Gemini — it integrates directly into the tools you already use.
- If your school uses Microsoft 365 (Word, Outlook, Teams), Copilot is the natural choice for in-app assistance.
- If you want to start quickly and have no preference, Claude or ChatGPT both have capable free tiers accessible with any email address.
Data handling — what you need to know
All four tools process your prompts on external servers. The following principles apply regardless of which tool you use.
- →Never enter personally identifiable information about students, staff, or families
- →Review each tool's privacy policy before using it for school work
- →Consult your school's data protection lead if you are unsure about a specific use case
- →Free tiers may use your prompts to improve the model — paid tiers typically offer stronger data protection commitments
Safety notes — what to watch for in each tool
Every AI tool can hallucinate, miss nuance, and vary in how it handles uploaded documents, long context and privacy settings. The safest approach is to treat AI output as a first draft to verify, not an unquestioned authority. These notes highlight what to be especially alert to in each tool.
Claude
Often strong with long documents, writing quality and tone control. Verify outputs, especially summaries and interpretations of uploaded material. Long-context tools can still miss details, overgeneralise, or present a smooth summary that hides important nuance.
Gemini
Useful across Google-based workflows. Check accuracy, review how files are being interpreted, and be clear about whether content is grounded in your uploaded documents or drawn from broader model knowledge. Never assume an answer is correct just because it is fluent.
ChatGPT
Strong for drafting, rewording, explanation and iterative prompting. Check every factual claim carefully. Be careful with uploaded documents — verify that sensitive material is handled in line with your school's policy. Do not assume it remembers your preferences unless you have explicitly set custom instructions.
Copilot
Useful inside Microsoft 365 workflows — Word, Outlook, Teams. Because it sits close to workplace documents and email, be especially clear about what school data is appropriate to use. Understand your school's Microsoft tenancy and what data is covered by your organisation's agreement.