Picking Your First AI Chat App
A quick tour of ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini and how to sign in safely for free.
Picking Your First AI Chat App is a free AI for Everyone lesson on CoddyKit — lesson 1 of 4. You can read the complete lesson below for free — then practise it hands-on in the browser with a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor. It is part of the AI for Everyone learning path, one of 4 lessons in the course, and your progress syncs across the web and the CoddyKit app.
You Have Good Options
To start chatting with AI you just need one app. The three most popular are ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini — all free to try, all plain language. You can't pick wrong.
Meet ChatGPT
ChatGPT, made by OpenAI, is the most famous one and started the whole wave. It's a great all-rounder for writing and ideas — a comfortable first home for beginners.
Meet Claude
Claude, made by Anthropic, is loved for its thoughtful, natural writing and handling long documents. If your main goal is writing and reading help, it's an excellent pick.
Meet Gemini
Gemini, made by Google, is built into Gmail, Docs, and Android and is strong at pulling in current info from the web. Handy if you already live in Google tools.
They Are More Alike Than Different
For everyday tasks, all three feel very similar — type a request, get an answer, keep chatting. Don't agonize: pick one, get comfy, and try the others later.
Signing Up Safely
Each one asks you to create a free account, usually with an email or a Google/Apple login. That's normal and lets it save your chats. The free tiers are genuinely useful.
Free Is Enough to Begin
All three have a free version that covers everything in this course. Paid plans exist for heavy users, but you don't need one yet — start free and learn the ropes.
Phone or Computer?
Phone or computer? Both work great — a roomy screen for longer tasks, or AI in your pocket anytime. Pick whichever device you reach for most; many people use both.
A Word on Safety
These are reputable tools from major companies, safe for everyday use. Just one habit: never paste passwords or sensitive data into a chat — treat it like a shared notebook.
Just Pick One Today
The only real enemy is overthinking — the best tool is the one you actually open. Want web info? Gemini. Great writing? Claude. The famous all-rounder? ChatGPT.
You Are Ready to Open It
Whichever you chose, go to its website or app and sign in. That's the whole first step. Next lesson, we'll type your very first request together — no pressure.
Quick Check
What is true about ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini for a beginner?
Recap
Your first AI chat is one sign-up away. ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini are all free, plain-language, and similar. Pick one, sign in safely, skip the secrets, and you're ready.
Frequently asked questions
Is the “Picking Your First AI Chat App” lesson free?
Yes — the full text of “Picking Your First AI Chat App” is free to read here on the web, and the AI for Everyone course includes 4 lessons in total. To practise it interactively (a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor) and unlock the rest of the AI for Everyone course, upgrade to CoddyKit PRO.
What will I learn in “Picking Your First AI Chat App”?
A quick tour of ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini and how to sign in safely for free. You practise AI for Everyone with hands-on code you run directly in the browser, and a 24/7 AI tutor answers your questions as you work through the lesson.
Do I need any experience to start AI for Everyone?
No prior experience is required. AI for Everyone on CoddyKit is structured for beginners through advanced learners; this is — lesson 1 of 4, so you can start here or from the beginning and move at your own pace.
How long does the “Picking Your First AI Chat App” lesson take?
Most CoddyKit lessons take about 5–10 minutes. Each one is bite-sized and interactive, so you make steady progress and pick up exactly where you left off across the web and the app.
Can I write and run code in this AI for Everyone lesson?
Yes. Every AI for Everyone lesson includes a built-in code editor, so you write and run real code right in your browser and get instant AI feedback — no local setup required.
All lessons in this course
- Picking Your First AI Chat App
- Typing Your First Request Step by Step
- Reading and Trusting the Reply
- Continuing the Conversation Naturally