1. The four at a glance
| AI | Business plan | Price | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Claude | Claude Team | US$20 yearly, US$25 monthly | Recommended. Writing, long documents and analysis. Minimum 2 people |
| ChatGPT | ChatGPT Business | NZ$33 yearly, NZ$41 monthly | Recommended. A broad all-rounder most people already know. Minimum 2 people |
| Microsoft Copilot | Microsoft 365 Copilot Business | NZ$34 yearly, NZ$40.80 monthly | An add-on for Microsoft 365. Not our first recommendation |
| Google Gemini | Included in Google Workspace | Part of your Workspace plan | Useful for creating and editing images |
| Grok | Grok Business | See xAI's website | Another option, less common in NZ offices |
Prices from each provider's published pricing, checked 30 September 2026 (ChatGPT on 1 October 2026). Claude charges in US dollars; ChatGPT shows NZ dollar prices for New Zealand, and its page does not say whether GST is included. For a full cost breakdown, see How much does AI automation cost in NZ?
2. Claude
Claude, made by Anthropic, is known for clear writing and for working through long documents such as contracts, reports and policies. The Team plan gives your business a shared workspace with admin controls, and Anthropic states it does not use business conversations to train its models by default.
Claude can connect to Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace through connectors, so it can work with your email and files. A premium seat gives about five times the usage of a standard seat, for people who use it all day.
3. ChatGPT
ChatGPT, made by OpenAI, is the AI most of your staff will already have tried. That familiarity makes it easy to roll out. ChatGPT Business adds a shared workspace, admin controls and business data terms, and OpenAI says business data is not used for training by default.
Like Claude, it offers a standard seat and a larger seat for heavy users.
4. Microsoft Copilot
Microsoft's AI comes in two forms. Copilot Chat is included with eligible Microsoft 365 business plans at no extra cost. The paid Microsoft 365 Copilot add-on works inside Word, Excel, Outlook and Teams, and costs NZ$34 per person per month on a yearly plan, or NZ$40.80 month to month, on top of a Microsoft 365 licence.
For most teams it is not the best value as a main assistant, especially as Claude and ChatGPT can also connect to Microsoft 365.
5. Google Gemini
Gemini is Google's AI, built into every Google Workspace plan. Where it stands out is images: Google's image tools, known as Nano Banana, can create and edit pictures from a simple description, which is useful for social posts and marketing material. Images made on the free plan carry a visible watermark, so check the plan and Google's terms before using them commercially.
As a day-to-day assistant it is capable, but it is most useful as an extra for image work or if you already have Workspace.
6. Grok
Grok, from xAI, offers a Grok Business plan with shared team access and admin controls. It is less commonly used in New Zealand offices, and fewer business tools connect to it.
7. How to choose
- Start with Claude or ChatGPT. For most businesses, one of these two will be the best fit.
- Test both on your own work. Give them the same real tasks for a week, such as an email reply, a quote and a document summary.
- Pick one for the team. One shared tool is easier to train, secure and support than several.
- Use a business plan. Business plans keep your data out of training and give you admin controls. Read Using AI under the NZ Privacy Act.
- Upgrade only heavy users. Most staff need a standard seat. Give larger seats only to the people who use AI all day.
8. How Nexron helps you choose
We are not tied to any AI company. During AI Set-Up & Training we look at the tools you already use, test the options on your real work, and set up the one that fits, with accounts in your company's name and training at your desks. Every AI we set up draws on Nexron Connect, the layer we set up inside your systems, so switching later does not mean starting again.
Sources
- Claude pricing
- Anthropic: is my data used for model training?
- Microsoft 365 Copilot pricing (NZ)
- Google Workspace pricing (NZ)
- Google: Nano Banana 2
Questions about choosing an AI
Is Claude or ChatGPT better for business?
Both are strong, and both have team plans at a similar price. Claude is often preferred for writing and long documents, and ChatGPT is the one most staff already know. The best test is to try both on your own work for a week.
Can we use more than one AI?
You can, but one shared tool is easier to train, secure and pay for. Most small businesses do best with one main AI, plus Gemini if they need to create images.
Do we need a paid plan?
For work, yes. Business plans give you admin controls and business data terms that free accounts do not. A team plan for your main AI is usually the one worth paying for.
Which AI is safest for client information?
Any of the main ones, used on a business plan with sensible rules. Safety depends more on the plan and how your team uses it than on the brand. See our Privacy Act guide for a checklist.