Short answerWe do not publish a winner without comparable evidence. This guide gives you the same protocol for all three services and a transparent scoring system.
Documented capabilities
| Service | Officially documented capability | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| ChatGPT | Summarizes, extracts references, and analyzes uploaded file data. | Visual PDF interpretation can depend on plan and feature availability. |
| Claude | Analyzes text and visual elements in PDFs up to 100 pages; larger documents may be text-only. | Limits and available context vary by product. |
| Gemini | Accepts documents, spreadsheets, images, and other files for summaries and insights. | Work or school accounts may require administrator access. |
Prepare a fair test
Use a public or self-created 20–50 page PDF with a table, chart, repeated figure, deliberate contradiction, and one question the document cannot answer. Start a new conversation in every service. Record the date, plan, and visible model name.
The ten tests
- Write a 120-word executive summary.
- Find an exact number and name its page.
- Extract a short quote without changing it.
- Convert a PDF table into structured data.
- Explain a chart’s trend, unit, and period.
- Detect contradictory statements.
- Connect facts from distant sections.
- Admit when requested information is absent.
- Turn findings into five prioritized actions.
- Return exact JSON or table columns.
Reusable prompt
Use only the attached PDF. Do not use outside knowledge. For every answer: 1. Give the supporting page. 2. If absent, write: NOT FOUND. 3. Separate document facts from inference. Task: [PASTE ONE OF THE TEN TESTS]
Scoring
| Score | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 2 | Correct, verifiable, and in the requested format. |
| 1 | Partly correct or needs a minor fix. |
| 0 | Invents, misses the core fact, or ignores format. |
The maximum is 20. Also track correction minutes: a concise traceable answer can be more valuable than a polished but unverifiable one.
Where to start
- ChatGPT: a first test for mixed document and table analysis.
- Claude: a natural candidate for long-document reading and structure.
- Gemini: a logical first test when files live in Google Drive.
These are starting routes, not universal winners.
TransparencyNo affiliate links or paid placements appear in this comparison.