GPT-4o vs Claude Opus 4 vs Gemini Ultra: AI Model Benchmark 2025

GPT-4o vs Claude Opus 4 vs Gemini Ultra: Head-to-Head Benchmark

Which large language model is actually the best in 2025? We tested GPT-4o, Claude Opus 4, and Gemini Ultra across writing, coding, reasoning, math, and practical tasks.

Benchmark Results

Analysis by Category

Writing and Content

Winner: Claude Opus 4 — Claude consistently writes more naturally, avoids AI-sounding phrases, and handles nuance better than competitors. GPT-4o is solid but can feel formulaic. Gemini tends to be more concise but less engaging.

Coding

Winner: Claude Opus 4 — On SWE-bench (real software engineering tasks), Claude leads. Its understanding of complex codebases and ability to make multi-file changes sets it apart. See our AI coding tools comparison.

Math and Science

Winner: Gemini Ultra — Gemini slightly edges out on mathematical reasoning benchmarks. All three are competent, but for specialized math tasks, Gemini has an advantage.

Real-time Information

Winner: Gemini Ultra — Native Google Search integration makes Gemini unbeatable for current information. ChatGPT has browsing capability but is slower. Claude has no real-time search.

Which Model for Which User?

• Professionals and writers: Claude Opus 4 (via Claude Pro $20/mo)
• Developers: Claude Opus 4 or GPT-4o (both excellent)
• Researchers: Gemini Ultra (real-time search) or Perplexity AI
• General use: GPT-4o via ChatGPT Plus (best all-rounder)
• Budget: All three offer free tiers — test each

FAQ

Which AI model is the smartest?

It depends on the task. Claude Opus 4 leads in writing and coding. GPT-4o leads in multimodal understanding. Gemini Ultra leads in math and search. There is no single “smartest” model.

Are benchmark scores reliable?

Benchmarks provide useful signals but do not capture everything. Real-world performance on your specific tasks matters more. We recommend testing each model with your actual use cases.