Claude vs Gemini for writing

Every limit is published. Paid plans also have a monthly fair-use limit on AI cost: Pro $7.50, Max $20, Ultra $42, Studio $85. Using every message on your plan at typical sizes stays under it; very large messages and heavy research use it faster. Every limit, explained.

Writing: Claude Sonnet 5 passed 4 of 5 and Gemini 3.1 Pro (preview) 4 of 5. Claude Sonnet 5 answered 2.0× sooner at the median, 4.5 s against 9.1 s. Claude Sonnet 5 cost 2.7× less, $0.0171 against $0.0459 for the 5 replies. Claude Sonnet 5's replies ran 75% longer, in tokens of reply, thinking not counted.

1. 1. Announce a second bakery shop on LinkedIn

   Everyday. Claude: 4 of 5 models passed, Claude Haiku 4.5 the cheapest at $0.0013 · Gemini: 2 of 2 models passed, Gemini 3.8 Flash the cheapest at $0.0009. The prompt in full.

   Gemini 3.1 Pro passed this one and Claude Sonnet 5 didn't. Claude Sonnet 5 answered sooner (4.6 s to 9.5 s), and Claude Sonnet 5's reply cost less ($0.0037 to $0.0113); Claude Sonnet 5 wrote 267 tokens of reply, Gemini 3.1 Pro 169.

   • Claude Sonnet 5

     Failed: Graded 3.5 of 5 on average (lowest 3).

     We have some exciting news to share: Crumb & Co. is opening our second shop, this time in Leeds!
     
     From our very first bakery, we've believed in doing simple things well — proper sourdough, honest pastries, and coffee worth stopping for. Now we get to bring that same spirit to a new neighbourhood and, hopefully, a whole new group of familiar faces.
     
     Our Leeds shop opens its doors on 14 November, and we'd love for you to be there. To celebrate, every coffee on opening day is on us — no catch, just our way of saying thank you for supporting us along the way.
     
     This has been months of planning, a lot of taste-testing, and more excitement than we know what to do with. We can't wait to welcome you in, share some fresh bakes, and start building new memories together.
     
     See you there — first coffee's on the house.

     538 tokens in, 267 out · 4.6 s · $0.0037 · 1 message on Pro · answered by anthropic/claude-sonnet-5 via Claude Platform on AWS · September 27, 2026

   • Gemini 3.1 Pro

     Passed: Graded 4.0 of 5 on average (lowest 3).

     We are absolutely thrilled to share some wonderful news with you all. Our little bakery, Crumb & Co., is growing! Thanks to your incredible support over the years, we are opening the doors to our second shop in Leeds on the 14th of November. 
     
     When we first started baking, we never imagined we would be able to share our pastries and breads with so many lovely people. This new chapter in Leeds means the world to us, and we cannot wait to become a part of the local community. 
     
     To celebrate this exciting milestone, we would love for you to join us on our opening day. Pop in to say hello, check out the new space, and enjoy a free cup of coffee on us. We are so grateful for your continued support and look forward to welcoming you to our new home very soon.

     417 tokens in, 876 out (707 of them reasoning) · 9.5 s · $0.0113 · 1 message on Pro · answered by google/gemini-3.1-pro-preview via Google · September 27, 2026

2. 2. Rewrite corporate jargon in plain words

   Everyday. Claude: 5 of 5 models passed, Claude Haiku 4.5 the cheapest at $0.0008 · Gemini: 1 of 2 models passed, Gemini 3.1 Pro at $0.0101. The prompt in full.

   Claude Sonnet 5 and Gemini 3.1 Pro both passed this one. Claude Sonnet 5 answered sooner (2.7 s to 8.8 s), and Claude Sonnet 5's reply cost less ($0.0022 to $0.0101); Claude Sonnet 5 wrote 105 tokens of reply, Gemini 3.1 Pro 76.

   • Claude Sonnet 5

     Passed: Graded 4.7 of 5 on average (lowest 4).

     In Q3, teams worked together to focus more on customers' needs. This effort increased customer retention by 12% and reduced the rate of customer loss (churn) by 0.3 percentage points among large business clients. The company also adjusted the number of customer contact channels (like phone, email, and chat) to better manage workload and resources.

     597 tokens in, 105 out · 2.7 s · $0.0022 · 1 message on Pro · answered by anthropic/claude-sonnet-5 via Claude Platform on AWS · September 27, 2026

   • Gemini 3.1 Pro

     Passed: Graded 4.0 of 5 on average (lowest 3).

     In Q3, our teams worked together to adopt a more customer-focused approach. For our business clients, this resulted in a 12% increase in customer retention and a 0.30% (30 basis points) decrease in the rate of customers leaving. Additionally, we adjusted our various customer communication channels to make more efficient use of our time and resources.

     447 tokens in, 763 out (687 of them reasoning) · 8.8 s · $0.0101 · 1 message on Pro · answered by google/gemini-3.1-pro-preview via Google · September 27, 2026

3. 3. Decline a meeting and offer two times

   Everyday. Claude: 5 of 5 models passed, Claude Haiku 4.5 the cheapest at $0.0010 · Gemini: 2 of 2 models passed, Gemini 3.8 Flash the cheapest at $0.0008. The prompt in full.

   Claude Sonnet 5 and Gemini 3.1 Pro both passed this one. Claude Sonnet 5 answered sooner (2.8 s to 6.2 s), and Claude Sonnet 5's reply cost less ($0.0026 to $0.0058); Claude Sonnet 5 wrote 149 tokens of reply, Gemini 3.1 Pro 105.

   • Claude Sonnet 5

     Passed: Graded 5.0 of 5 on average (lowest 5).

     Subject: Re: Vendor Demo – Wednesday 11:00
     
     Hi Tom,
     
     Thanks for the invite! Unfortunately, I have a board presentation at that time on Wednesday, so I won't be able to join.
     
     Would Thursday at 10:00 or Friday at 14:00 work instead? Happy to make either one work on my end.
     
     Let me know what suits you, and I'll get it on the calendar.
     
     Best,
     [Your Name]

     542 tokens in, 149 out · 2.8 s · $0.0026 · 1 message on Pro · answered by anthropic/claude-sonnet-5 via Claude Platform on AWS · September 27, 2026

   • Gemini 3.1 Pro

     Passed: Graded 5.0 of 5 on average (lowest 5).

     Subject: Re: Vendor Demo
     
     Hi Tom,
     
     Thank you for the invitation to the vendor demo on Wednesday at 11:00. Unfortunately, I won't be able to make it because I am presenting to the board at that time. 
     
     Could we reschedule for later in the week? I am available on Thursday at 10:00 or Friday at 14:00. Let me know if either of those times works for you.
     
     Best,
     
     [Your Name]

     428 tokens in, 415 out (310 of them reasoning) · 6.2 s · $0.0058 · 1 message on Pro · answered by google/gemini-3.1-pro-preview via Google · September 27, 2026

4. 4. A product announcement with five rules

   Hard. Claude: 3 of 5 models passed, Claude Sonnet 5.5 the cheapest at $0.0030 · Gemini: 1 of 2 models passed, Gemini 3.1 Pro at $0.0095. The prompt in full.

   Claude Sonnet 5 and Gemini 3.1 Pro both passed this one. Claude Sonnet 5 answered sooner (4.5 s to 9.2 s), and Claude Sonnet 5's reply cost less ($0.0035 to $0.0095); Claude Sonnet 5 wrote 235 tokens of reply, Gemini 3.1 Pro 106.

   • Claude Sonnet 5

     Passed: Graded 4.3 of 5 on average (lowest 4).

     **Introducing the Nordvik 2 Desk Lamp**
     
     Meet the Nordvik 2, thoughtfully redesigned for how you actually work. Five-step dimming lets you fine-tune brightness for any task, from focused reading to ambient evening light. The 270-degree rotating arm adjusts to virtually any angle, giving you precise control over where light falls. USB-C charging means one cable does it all, keeping your desk clutter-free and compatible with everything else you own.
     
     Priced at €79, the Nordvik 2 brings premium design and functionality within easy reach. It begins shipping on 1 December, just in time to brighten your winter workspace.
     
     Ready to see how the right light changes the way you work?

     554 tokens in, 235 out · 4.5 s · $0.0035 · 1 message on Pro · answered by anthropic/claude-sonnet-5 via Claude Platform on AWS · September 27, 2026

   • Gemini 3.1 Pro

     Passed: Graded 4.0 of 5 on average (lowest 3).

     Introducing the Nordvik 2 desk lamp, designed to illuminate your workspace with precision. This new model features a highly flexible arm that turns 270 degrees, putting light exactly where you need it. You can easily tailor the brightness to suit any task, as it dims in five steps. Built for modern convenience, it also charges from USB-C to keep your setup clean and wire-free. The Nordvik 2 costs €79 and ships on 1 December. Are you ready to upgrade your daily lighting?

     435 tokens in, 715 out (609 of them reasoning) · 9.2 s · $0.0095 · 1 message on Pro · answered by google/gemini-3.1-pro-preview via Google · September 27, 2026

5. 5. Argue both sides of free buses

   Hard. Claude: 2 of 5 models passed, Claude Haiku 4.5 the cheapest at $0.0014 · Gemini: 1 of 2 models passed, Gemini 3.8 Flash at $0.0011. The prompt in full.

   Claude Sonnet 5 passed this one and Gemini 3.1 Pro didn't. Claude Sonnet 5 answered sooner (6.6 s to 9.1 s), and Claude Sonnet 5's reply cost less ($0.0050 to $0.0092); Claude Sonnet 5 wrote 401 tokens of reply, Gemini 3.1 Pro 207.

   • Claude Sonnet 5

     Passed: Graded 4.0 of 5 on average (lowest 4).

     Free buses would boost ridership, cut traffic congestion, and reduce emissions by encouraging drivers to switch to transit. Lower-income residents, who rely most heavily on public transportation, would benefit enormously from eliminated fare burdens, improving access to jobs, education, and healthcare. Free transit also simplifies operations, speeding boarding times and eliminating costly fare collection infrastructure. Cities that have tried this, like Kansas City, saw ridership increases and stronger community mobility, suggesting free buses are both an equity tool and a practical urban planning solution.
     
     However, fares provide crucial revenue that funds maintenance, expansion, and service reliability. Eliminating them shifts costs entirely onto taxpayers, straining budgets already stretched thin, potentially forcing service cuts elsewhere. Free buses often attract overcrowding without corresponding investment in more vehicles, degrading service quality for existing riders. Critics also note that the poorest riders may already receive subsidized passes, making universal free fares a regressive policy that primarily benefits wealthier occasional riders. Better targeted subsidies, they argue, would achieve equity goals more efficiently than blanket free fares citywide.

     518 tokens in, 401 out · 6.6 s · $0.0050 · 1 message on Pro · answered by anthropic/claude-sonnet-5 via Claude Platform on AWS · September 27, 2026

   • Gemini 3.1 Pro

     Failed: Graded 3.7 of 5 on average (lowest 3).

     Making city buses free is a powerful catalyst for economic equality and environmental sustainability. By eliminating fares, cities immediately remove a significant financial burden from low-income residents, improving their access to jobs, education, and healthcare. Furthermore, free transit incentivizes people to leave their cars at home, dramatically reducing traffic congestion and cutting harmful greenhouse gas emissions. This shift not only improves urban air quality but also reduces the long-term wear and tear on city infrastructure, ultimately creating a cleaner, fairer, and more accessible environment for all residents.
     
     However, eliminating fares fundamentally undermines the financial stability and quality of the transit system itself. Fares provide crucial revenue required for essential maintenance, route expansion, and driver salaries. Without this income, cities are forced to either slash service frequencies and coverage or drastically raise local taxes to cover the deficit. Consequently, free transit often results in overcrowded, unreliable, and dilapidated buses. Passengers ultimately prioritize speed, safety, and reliability over zero cost; a free bus is useless to a commuter if it never arrives on time.

     409 tokens in, 699 out (492 of them reasoning) · 9.1 s · $0.0092 · 1 message on Pro · answered by google/gemini-3.1-pro-preview via Google · September 27, 2026

• Claude Fable 5.1 vs Gemini 3.1 Pro: Claude Fable 5.1 3 of 5, Gemini 3.1 Pro 4; Claude Fable 5.1 answered 1.5× sooner at the median and Gemini 3.1 Pro cost 1.9× less.

• Claude Fable 5.1 vs Gemini 3.8 Flash: 3 of 5 each; Gemini 3.8 Flash answered 1.5× sooner at the median and cost 13.1× less.

• Claude Opus 5.5 vs Gemini 3.1 Pro: 4 of 5 each; Claude Opus 5.5 answered 1.1× sooner at the median and Gemini 3.1 Pro cost 2.0× less. Claude Opus 5.5 vs Gemini 3.1 Pro (preview), on every job.

• Claude Opus 5.5 vs Gemini 3.8 Flash: Claude Opus 5.5 4 of 5, Gemini 3.8 Flash 3; Gemini 3.8 Flash answered 2.1× sooner at the median and cost 14.0× less.

• Claude Sonnet 5.5 vs Gemini 3.1 Pro: 4 of 5 each; Claude Sonnet 5.5 answered 3.9× sooner at the median and cost 2.7× less. Claude Sonnet 5.5 vs Gemini 3.1 Pro (preview), on every job.

• Claude Sonnet 5.5 vs Gemini 3.8 Flash: Claude Sonnet 5.5 4 of 5, Gemini 3.8 Flash 3; Claude Sonnet 5.5 answered 1.7× sooner at the median and Gemini 3.8 Flash cost 2.6× less.

• Claude Sonnet 5 vs Gemini 3.1 Pro: 4 of 5 each; Claude Sonnet 5 answered 2.0× sooner at the median and cost 2.7× less. Claude Sonnet 5 vs Gemini 3.1 Pro (preview), on every job.

• Claude Sonnet 5 vs Gemini 3.8 Flash: Claude Sonnet 5 4 of 5, Gemini 3.8 Flash 3; Gemini 3.8 Flash answered 1.1× sooner at the median and cost 2.6× less. Claude Sonnet 5 vs Gemini 3.8 Flash, on every job.

• Claude Haiku 4.5 vs Gemini 3.1 Pro: 4 of 5 each; Claude Haiku 4.5 answered 4.1× sooner at the median and cost 8.1× less. Claude Haiku 4.5 vs Gemini 3.1 Pro (preview), on every job.

• Claude Haiku 4.5 vs Gemini 3.8 Flash: Claude Haiku 4.5 4 of 5, Gemini 3.8 Flash 3; Claude Haiku 4.5 answered 1.7× sooner at the median and cost 1.2× less. Claude Haiku 4.5 vs Gemini 3.8 Flash, on every job.

Every Claude and Gemini reply above was checked the same way as every other model's, by the rules published with the prompts: how the writing prompts are scored, and each one in full.

• The lineups

  Claude: 5 models, Claude Fable 5.1, Claude Opus 5.5, Claude Sonnet 5.5, Claude Sonnet 5, and Claude Haiku 4.5. Gemini: 2 models, Gemini 3.1 Pro (preview) and Gemini 3.8 Flash.

• Price per message

  The least expensive Claude model is Claude Haiku 4.5 (250 messages a month on Pro); the least expensive Gemini model is Gemini 3.8 Flash (250 messages a month on Pro).

• Context window

  Claude goes up to 1M tokens (Claude Fable 5.1); Gemini up to 1.05M tokens (Gemini 3.1 Pro (preview)).

• Images and PDFs

  Every model here reads images. Every model here takes a PDF as a whole file.

• On the Free plan

  Free's one-time trial of 5 messages covers Claude Sonnet 5.5, Claude Sonnet 5, Claude Haiku 4.5, Gemini 3.1 Pro (preview), and Gemini 3.8 Flash. Paid plans have every model, with messages every month.

In llmwise, a message to Claude or Gemini goes to the model's maker, or through OpenRouter when llmwise can't reach the maker directly. The Privacy Policy has the details.