Claude vs ChatGPT vs Gemini Prompting: Best Practices (2025)
If you use Claude, ChatGPT, and Gemini, you have probably seen this: the same prompt can feel sharp in one model and messy in another. That is normal. Each model has its own defaults.
This post shows a practical way to write prompts that fit each model. You will get a quick cheat sheet, a comparison table, and three prompts you can copy and paste.
TL;DR
- Use Claude for long docs, careful thinking, and reviews.
- Use ChatGPT when you need strict structure (tables, JSON, code).
- Use Gemini for research style work and multimodal prompts (text plus images).
Update (2026): For a head to head comparison, see Claude vs ChatGPT: Which Is Better in 2026?.
If you want to test prompts instead of reading, start with the generators for ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini. If you want one tool that works across models, try our AI Prompt Generator.
Quick comparison
| What you care about | Claude | ChatGPT | Gemini |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best when you need | Long context, careful thinking, clear tradeoffs | Tight formatting, repeatable templates, code | Research summaries, source links, text plus images |
| Prompt style that works | More context up front, ask for assumptions | Clear schema and steps, add an example | Scope plus sources plus "show your work" |
| Common failure mode | Too long unless you set limits | Clean format even when the content is shaky | Thin sources unless you ask for links |
Claude: prompts for long context
Claude is a good pick when you have a lot of context and you want the model to think through a problem carefully. It also does well with long docs.
- Start with the goal in one sentence.
- Put the key facts in a short bullet list.
- Ask for assumptions and unknowns.
- Ask for a recommendation and the tradeoffs.
- Set a max length so it does not ramble.
Copy and paste Claude prompt
Role: Senior analyst in [domain].
Goal: [what you want]
Context:
- [fact 1]
- [fact 2]
- [constraint 1]
Task:
1) Summarize the situation in 5 bullets
2) List assumptions and unknowns
3) Recommend a plan and explain tradeoffs
Output:
- Headings: Summary, Assumptions, Plan
- Max 300 words
More Claude prompt patterns: Claude Prompt Engineering Best Practices (2026). If you want a quick starting point, try the Claude Prompt Generator.
ChatGPT: prompts that stay structured
ChatGPT is a solid choice when the output format matters more than the prose.
- Say the format first (table, JSON, headings).
- Split work into small steps.
- Add one short example if you care about tone.
- Add hard limits (word count, keys, columns).
- Ask it to check the rules before it answers.
Copy and paste ChatGPT prompt
You are a technical writer.
Task:
1) Create a comparison table for [tools] with columns: Feature, Tool A, Tool B
2) Write a 150 word summary of the tradeoffs
3) Output JSON with keys: bestFor, risks, quickTips
Rules:
- Use markdown for the table
- JSON must be valid
- Keep table cells under 12 words
If you want a refresher on the basics, start with Prompt Engineering in 2025: Complete Guide and How to Write Effective AI Prompts (2025 Guide).
Gemini: prompts for research and multimodal work
Gemini is a good choice when the job feels like research, or when you are working with images plus text. The trick is to be specific about scope and sources.
- Define the question and what done looks like.
- Set the time range and region if it matters.
- Ask for source links for key claims.
- Tell it what to do when the answer is uncertain.
- If you attach images, say what to look for.
Copy and paste Gemini prompt
Research question: [topic]
Scope:
- Time range: last 12 months
- Region: [your market]
- Output: bullets plus a short table
Requirements:
1) 8 bullet summary
2) Table: Source | Claim | Link
3) Note any uncertain points
Please include source links for major claims.
More Gemini prompt patterns: Gemini 3 Prompting Playbook (Nov 2025). If you want a quick starting point, try the Gemini Prompt Generator.
A simple way to test one prompt across all three
If you want one prompt that works well in all three models, write a base prompt and then add a short model note at the top.
- Write the base prompt with goal, context, and output format.
- Run it in Claude, ChatGPT, and Gemini.
- Compare: accuracy, format, and how much you had to fix.
- Add a short model note, then run again.
If you are building a set of prompts, these two posts help a lot: Prompt Frameworks (2025) and Prompt Engineering Checklist (2025).
FAQs
Which one should I use for coding prompts?
Start with ChatGPT if you care most about consistent formatting and code snippets. If you need to feed long specs or review a plan, Claude can be a better fit.
Which one is best for research?
Gemini is usually the fastest path when you want sources and summaries, but you still have to ask for links and say what counts as a good source.
Do I need different prompts for each model?
Not always. A solid base prompt often works everywhere. The model specific part is usually just the structure: Claude likes more context, ChatGPT likes strict schemas, Gemini likes scope and sources.
If you want to generate and compare prompts in one place, use the Prompt Builder Dashboard. If you want ready made prompts you can start from, browse our Prompt Libraries.
