Artificial Intelligence is no longer futuristic, it’s here, shaping how we research, write, and solve business problems every day. At VienerX, we’ve even built our own AI assistants like Hal and Max on top of these platforms. Here’s how the leading paid AI tools compare and how Google fits into the picture.

ChatGPT (OpenAI)

The paid version now runs on ChatGPT 5.0, built by OpenAI under CEO Sam Altman. It’s versatile: excellent at research, writing, editing, math, and even legal exploration. Uniquely, ChatGPT can also speak natively without extra software (we can show you how). OpenAI has a deep partnership with Microsoft, which brings ChatGPT technology into Office products. Cost: about $20/month.

Claude (Anthropic)

Claude Pro, developed by Dario and Daniela Amodei’s team at Anthropic, is tuned for business and large document handling. It’s strong for contracts and structured research. Unlike ChatGPT, Claude does not yet speak natively. Cost: about $20/month.

Copilot (Microsoft)

Microsoft, under CEO Satya Nadella, brings Copilot into Word, Excel, Outlook, and Teams. There’s also a free version in the Edge browser, but that’s closer to a search tool. The paid Copilot ($30/month) is the one that builds spreadsheets, drafts presentations, and answers inside Office.

Gemini (Google)

Google’s answer is Gemini, under CEO Sundar Pichai. It’s now the native engine on Android and Chrome, replacing Google Assistant. On phones, a lightweight version called Gemini Nano runs locally, while Gemini Pro/Ultra power deeper cloud functions. Gemini integrates with Gmail, Docs, and Search, making it the Google ecosystem’s default AI. Cost: about $20/month for advanced access.

What’s The Real Difference?

Across the brands, the distinctions come down to:

1. Integration - ChatGPT works everywhere, Claude shines with business docs, Copilot rules Office, Gemini is built into Google tools and Android.

2. Capabilities - ChatGPT can generate and speak; Claude is safer and more reserved; Copilot embeds into Office workflows; Gemini runs natively on Android/Chrome and ties into Google’s apps.

3. Price Point - All fall in the $20–$30/month range, with value depending on your ecosystem.

The Rising Challengers

Perplexity AI - Blends AI with search, showing sources alongside answers.

Mistral AI - A European newcomer, fast and efficient with open-source models.

Our Take at VienerX

We did not pick one “winner.” Instead, we use ChatGPT 5.0 for daily versatility, Claude for business research, Copilot for Microsoft 365, and Gemini where Android or Google apps are in play. The real advantage is knowing which model to use when. That’s exactly where VienerX guides our clients.

The real opportunity is for you to leverage these AI tools to build a better business. When you ask us how, it opens the door to new efficiencies, smarter decisions, and deeper engagement. That’s the kind of partnership we aim for.

VienerX donated $11,000 to the Ronald McDonald House of Maryland during the Huffman Family Brands Annual Charity Golf Outing held last Friday.

The gift was the largest single contribution of the day and helped HFB raise more than $110,000 in total. VienerX’s donation alone covers one full day of operations at the Ronald McDonald House of Maryland.

“The Ronald McDonald House is a wonderful cause right in our backyard,” said Wayne Viener, founder and CEO of VienerX. “Our home and heart are right here in Maryland. A chance to make an impact in our own community is one that we are obligated to take. I would like to thank Richie Huffman and the HFB team for the opportunity to make a difference.”

“Days like our Huffman Family Brands golf tournament remind me of why this company works so hard and aims for the goals that we do,” Richie Huffman, Founder/CEO/President of HFB said. “Without our incredible team of vendors and partners that have fueled our growth, this magnitude of giving back to organizations like the Ronald McDonald House of Maryland simply wouldn’t be possible. Especially teams like VienerX who served as our title sponsor and gave over $11,000 in support of this year’s tournament!”

Please consider contributing to the Ronald McDonald House of Maryland at https://rmhcmaryland.org/.

There are many comparisons of Business vs. Sports.  How alike and then dissimilar they are.  After spending my entire adult life working in the business of sports, I joined the team at VienerX last month as Chief Brand Officer. I now have some experience in both. 

The comparison makes sense, both involve building teams, working in groups, defeating an “enemy” and winning.  My initial contribution to the newsletter, I would like to give my two cents in a discussion that has gone on for decades, what lessons translate from the locker room to the meeting room?

In my opinion, sports and business are more similar than different. From the perspective of team building and rallying around a cause, they align. The longer you play, you realize that the best asset you can have on the court or in the meeting room is a great team around you.

Whether you are trying to hoist the national championship trophy in March or trying to reach a sales goal, it is about the team.  Let’s take a look at that… The best sports teams I’ve been a part of weren’t the ones who had the highest budget or best brands, they were the ones where everyone understood their role and trusted the person next to them.

A lesson I have learned in all walks of life, is no one achieves anything alone. Are there great players who will groups of people to victory? Of course.  However, that is the exception rather than rule.

The next lesson, I learned from a Hall of Fame basketball coach. Your competition can be your friend.

If you get whooped on the court, the first thing you should do the next day is call the opposition and learn what you can from them. This is equally true in business. If you’re at a trade show and you see the booth next to you collecting business cards while you’re sitting alone, what can you learn from that company? Never let your ego stop you from creating a better product. No one knows it all.

There are areas where I think the comparison falls short. One area is goals. For most sports (particularly teams sports), the goals are external and defined by rules and framework of competition that are clearly outlined. Win the Championship.

For businesses, goals are more often internal facing and are generally more multifaceted. The ability to create your own goals that suit your team best is a massive advantage that cannot be undervalued.

Ultimately, the takeaway from this thought experiment is, learn from all walks of life. There is no losing, either you are learning or you are winning.  Whatever the metaphor that suits you is, take it, learn from it, and go win your game.

When search engines first took off in the early 2000s, mastering Search Engine Optimization (SEO) was the key to being found online. Businesses learned to work the system—focusing on keywords, backlinks, and meta tags to show up at the top of Google results. It changed how the world found information, and for nearly two decades, SEO ruled the digital landscape.

At first, I wasn’t convinced that artificial intelligence would be the next major shift. Like many, I saw the early hype and wondered whether it was more trend than transformation. Then came ChatGPT, Gemini, and Copilot. It didn’t take long to realize that people everywhere—friends, coworkers, even my parents—were using AI every day. Yet while individuals have moved fast, businesses—especially small and mid-sized ones—have been much slower to adapt. That hesitation could cost them the same way ignoring SEO did years ago.

From SEO to GEO

SEO isn’t going away. It’s still the foundation of being visible online. The shift is in how people find and consume information. We don’t just “Google it” anymore; we “ask AI.” And when AI delivers those answers, it’s pulling from across the web to build a full picture of your company—your content, your reviews, your reputation.

That’s where Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) comes in. GEO combines traditional SEO with signals that matter to AI. It’s not just what you say about your business, but what others say about you too. Reviews, videos, social posts, and earned media—these are the elements AI uses to determine whether your company is trustworthy and relevant enough to feature in its answers.

Why GEO Matters

In the SEO world, keywords got you on the map. In the GEO world, credibility gets you chosen. A small business with strong Google Reviews, active social channels, and consistent branding can outperform a larger competitor that neglects those signals. AI is connecting the dots—your website, your reviews, your media mentions—and forming an opinion about your business before a customer ever clicks.

The Takeaway

Generative AI isn’t a future concept—it’s here, and it’s already shaping how customers find and trust companies. SEO is what gets you listed. GEO is what makes you matter once you’re found.

As AI continues to evolve, the businesses that adapt will be the ones customers—and algorithms—choose first. The future of being found online isn’t about shouting the loudest. It’s about proving you’re real, relevant, and worth recommending.

A Note From Our Founder/CEO

When I started the first version of this newsletter 25 years ago, we lived in a different world of IT. Now, while so much has changed, our original newsletter remains a point of pride for me. Restarting this project is something I have long wanted to do, and I am thrilled to have gotten it off the ground once again. Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoy.