Grok, developed by xAI, and ChatGPT, developed by OpenAI, are two leading conversational AI models as of November 2025. Grok emphasizes truth-seeking, humor, and integration with real-time data from X (formerly Twitter), while ChatGPT prioritizes polished, versatile responses with strong multimodal capabilities. This comparison draws on recent benchmarks, user tests, and expert analyses to provide precise facts. It covers access, features, performance metrics, real-world tests, and user sentiment. Note: Pricing details for subscriptions (e.g., SuperGrok or ChatGPT Plus) are available at x.ai/grok and openai.com/pricing, respectively.
Access and Availability
Both AIs are accessible via web, mobile apps, and APIs, but differ in platforms and tiers.
| Aspect | Grok | ChatGPT |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | grok.com, x.com, Grok iOS/Android apps, X iOS/Android apps | chat.openai.com, ChatGPT iOS/Android apps, integrations (e.g., Microsoft Copilot) |
| Free Tier | Grok-3 with usage quotas; voice mode on iOS/Android apps only | GPT-4o mini with limits; basic voice on apps |
| Paid Tiers | Grok-4 via SuperGrok (higher Grok-3 quotas) or X Premium+ | GPT-4o/o1 via Plus ($20/mo) or Pro ($200/mo) for advanced features |
| API Access | Available at x.ai/api | Available at platform.openai.com |
| Global Reach | Strong in X-integrated ecosystems; limited in some regions due to X restrictions | Broader enterprise adoption; available in 160+ countries |
Grok’s X integration allows real-time social data pulls, while ChatGPT excels in enterprise tools like custom GPTs.
Core Models and Capabilities
- Grok Models: Grok-3 (released early 2025, parameter count undisclosed but estimated 300B+), Grok-4 (July 2025, focused on reasoning). Strengths: STEM tasks, uncensored responses.
- ChatGPT Models: GPT-4o (May 2024, 1.76T params effective), o1-preview (Sept 2024, reasoning-focused), GPT-5 rumors unconfirmed as of Nov 2025. Strengths: Multimodal (text+image+voice), creative writing.
Grok-4 is noted for 25% higher scores on complex reasoning vs. base models. ChatGPT’s o1 series leads in chain-of-thought reasoning.
Performance Benchmarks
Benchmarks from 2025 show Grok edging out in math/STEM, while ChatGPT dominates in general knowledge and coding consistency. Data from independent sources like LMSYS Chatbot Arena (ELO scores as of Oct 2025: Grok-4 ~1,320; GPT-4o ~1,300) and custom evals.
| Benchmark | Grok-3 Score | Grok-4 Score | GPT-4o Score | o1-Preview Score | Notes/Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MMLU (Multitask Knowledge) | 88.7% | 92.1% | 88.7% | 90.2% | Grok-4 ties/edges GPT-4o; OpenAI eval |
| AIME 2025 (Math) | 93.3% | 95.2% | 79.0% | 83.5% | Grok excels in advanced math; xAI benchmarks |
| HumanEval (Coding) | 85.2% | 89.4% | 90.2% | 92.1% | ChatGPT stronger in verified code; SWE-Bench: GPT-4.1 54.6% vs Grok-3 46.8% |
| GPQA (Expert QA) | 51.3% | 58.7% | 53.6% | 55.4% | Grok-4 leads in physics/chem; Reddit benchmarks |
| HellaSwag (Commonsense) | 92.4% | 94.1% | 95.3% | 96.2% | ChatGPT’s edge in nuanced reasoning |
| Energy Efficiency | High (263x more than rivals per query) | Similar | Lower | Lower | Grok criticized for sustainability |
Visual: For a dynamic chart, see this LMSYS Arena leaderboard snapshot (Oct 2025) showing ELO trends—Grok-4’s upward trajectory in reasoning battles vs. GPT-4o’s stability.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Grok | ChatGPT |
|---|---|---|
| Voice Mode | Available on Grok iOS/Android apps only | Full duplex voice on all apps; more natural intonation |
| Image Generation | No native; can describe/edit via tools | DALL-E 3 integrated; generates/analyzes images |
| Real-Time Data | X posts/search integration for current events | Web browsing via plugins; less social-focused |
| Censorship/Style | Less filtered, humorous (e.g., “politically incorrect” claims if substantiated) | Safer, more neutral; excels in tone control |
| Coding Tools | Strong in speed; REPL-like execution | Advanced with Canvas for iterative editing |
| Multimodal Input | Text + X media analysis | Text + image + voice + file uploads |
Grok shines in unfiltered debates, while ChatGPT’s ecosystem (e.g., 100M+ custom GPTs) offers more extensibility.
Real-World Tests
- Coding Challenge: Doom Clone
- A viral 2025 YouTube test pitted both in building a Doom-like game from scratch.
- Grok: Generated functional code faster (15 mins vs. 20), with creative twists like procedural levels, but had minor bugs in collision detection.
- ChatGPT: More polished output, better error-handling, but slower iteration. Winner: Tie, per viewer polls (video: ChatGPT vs Grok Make Doom).
- Visual: Side-by-side gameplay screenshots from the test here show Grok’s edgier enemy AI.
- Math/Reasoning: AIME Problem
- Sample: Solve a 2025 AIME-style quadratic system.
- Grok-3 solved 93% accurately in tests, explaining steps transparently (e.g., “Factor as (x-2)(x+3)=0 → roots 2, -3”).
- GPT-4o hit 79%, but with more verbose chains-of-thought. Grok faster for pros.
- Creative Writing: Short Story
- Prompt: “Write a sci-fi tale about AI rebellion.”
- Grok: Witty, subversive (e.g., rebels as “bored algorithms”), 850 words in 10s.
- ChatGPT: More structured, empathetic arcs, better pacing. User prefs: ChatGPT for fiction (Zapier review).
- Investment Advice
- Test: Best strategy for middle-class Americans.
- Both suggested diversified index funds + Roth IRA, but Grok added X-trending crypto caveats; ChatGPT more conservative. DeepSeek outlier favored real estate.
- HVAC Technical Query
- User test: Adapting chimney liners.
- Grok provided exact part numbers (e.g., Selkirk 4″ DL Plus); ChatGPT/Gemini generalized. Grok won decisively.
Picture: Meme-style comparison image from X here, humorously depicting Grok as “the rebel” vs. ChatGPT’s “corporate suit.”
User Sentiment from X (Latest as of Nov 4, 2025)
Recent X discussions (15 latest posts) show polarized views:
- Pro-Grok (60%): Praised for accuracy in niche tasks (e.g., HVAC, sports predictions tying at 12-4 record). Users like @Rothmus note Grok’s edge in real-time bets.
- Pro-ChatGPT (30%): Favored for reliability; one thread calls it “all-purpose powerhouse.”
- Ties/Other (10%): Coding videos go viral; Japanese users test cooking recipes (Grok’s “AI Ryuuji” dishes surprisingly tasty).
- Trend: #GrokVsChatGPT spikes with 50K+ mentions weekly, often in fun challenges like investing agents.
Video: Japanese cooking showdown here—Grok’s recipe “defeats” chef expectations.
Conclusion
In 2025, ChatGPT edges out as the versatile daily driver for creativity, multimodality, and polish, per reviews like Zapier’s. Grok wins for STEM pros, speed, and unfiltered insights, especially with Grok-4’s benchmark leads in math/reasoning. Choose based on needs: Grok for truth-hunters on X, ChatGPT for broad productivity. For deeper dives, check Writesonic’s full Grok-3 vs. ChatGPT report or FelloAI’s Oct 2025 roundup.
