ChatGPT vs Claude (OpenAI vs Anthropic API) for Building an AI Business

“Should I build on ChatGPT or Claude?” is one of the most common questions from new AI founders. Here is what our directory of 2,111 AI business stacks can and cannot tell you.

Read this first. Each stack page lists a suggested build: the tools we think you would use to rebuild that business. When a stack says “OpenAI API” or “Anthropic API”, that is our editorial blueprint, not a confirmed fact about what the founder runs. Many companies use several models and switch often. What is verified is the revenue: TrustMRR reads it from the founder’s payment provider. So this page compares the revenue of businesses grouped by their suggested model, not proof that one model makes more money.

The split

Blueprint model	Verified businesses with MRR	Median MRR	$1k+ MRR	$10k+ MRR
OpenAI API only	923	$309	276	91
Anthropic API only	161	$234	37	4
Both OpenAI and Anthropic	94	$389	28	8
Neither (image, voice or other models)	397	$286	109	22
All verified	1,575	$300	450	125

Revenue verified on TrustMRR, October 29, 2026. MRR is monthly recurring revenue.

What the numbers say

OpenAI is the default. Two thirds of the blueprints suggest the OpenAI API, and that group holds 91 of the 125 businesses above $10,000 a month. Many of these businesses started in 2023 or 2024, when GPT models were the obvious choice, and they are older and bigger as a group.

Anthropic blueprints are younger. Claude-only stacks have a lower median ($234) and few big winners. Many are developer tools, AI agents and MCP servers launched in 2025 and 2026, a category where Claude is popular but where businesses are still small.

Using both scores highest. Blueprints that suggest both providers have the best median, $389. These are often AI search and marketing tools that need to check how several assistants answer. That is a product reason, not a model-quality reason.

Top earners by blueprint

OpenAI blueprints:

• AI support chatbot builder: $863,632 MRR.
• AI buying-signal prospecting tool: $424,368 MRR.
• ATS-focused AI resume builder: $244,593 MRR.

Anthropic (Claude) blueprints:

• AI mobile app design chat: $19,639 MRR.
• Personal context tools for AI agents: $17,991 MRR.
• Multi-format AI content generation API: $17,036 MRR.
• Creative studio for Claude (MCP): $10,790 MRR.
• AI agent for Blender 3D: $5,563 MRR.
• AI React Native / Expo app generator: $5,370 MRR.

Both:

• Reddit marketing to rank in AI search: $32,050 MRR.
• Reddit GEO agency for B2B SaaS: $27,999 MRR.
• AI search visibility platform: $15,994 MRR.

How to choose for your product

1. Pick the model your product needs, not the one that “makes more money.” The data shows no model advantage; the gaps come from which kinds of business use each one.
2. Coding, agents and long documents: many builders prefer Claude. See tools for AI coding agents and MCP server business ideas.
3. Broad consumer features, voice, images and a huge ecosystem: the OpenAI API is the common default.
4. Build so you can switch. Put model calls behind one small function. Prices and quality change every few months, and the top earners here rarely depend on a single model.
5. For running your own business day to day, ChatGPT and Claude both cost about $20 a month for a personal plan. Try both on your real tasks for a week.

The model is rarely why an AI business wins. Distribution is. See how much AI apps make, how to make money with ChatGPT, how to make money with Claude, how to make money with Google Gemini and AI agent business ideas.

Every stack in this guide, side by side

This guide links 12 stacks. 12 have payment-verified revenue. The typical stack is about 80% automated, so plan on doing the rest yourself. "MRR" means monthly recurring revenue, what subscribers pay each month. Revenue figures come from each stack's source and date; tap a name for the full breakdown.

Stack	Revenue (as reported)	Startup cost	Difficulty	Automated
AI Support Chatbot Builder SaaS	$863,632 MRR (Stripe-verified, Jul 2026 snapshot)	Not disclosed	Hard	70%
AI Buying-Signal Prospecting Tool	$424,368 MRR (Stripe-verified, TrustMRR)	Not disclosed	Hard	75%
ATS-Focused AI Resume Builder SaaS	$244,593 MRR (Stripe-verified, TrustMRR, Oct 2026)	Not disclosed	Hard	70%
AI Mobile App Design Chat SaaS	~$19,639 MRR (Stripe-verified, TrustMRR, Oct 2026)	Not disclosed	Hard	80%
Personal Context Tools for AI Agents	~$17,991 MRR; $20,979 verified revenue last 30 days (TrustMRR/Stripe, Oct 23, 2026)	Not disclosed	Hard	85%
Multi-Format AI Content Generation API	~$17,036 MRR; $16,764 verified revenue last 30 days (TrustMRR/Stripe, Oct 23, 2026)	Not disclosed	Hard	85%
Creative Studio for Claude (MCP Image/Video Models)	~$10,790 MRR; $104,192 verified revenue last 30 days (TrustMRR/Polar, Oct 23, 2026)	Not disclosed	Hard	85%
AI Assistant Agent for Blender 3D	~$5,563 MRR; $5,787 verified revenue last 30 days (TrustMRR/Stripe, Oct 24, 2026)	Not disclosed	Hard	85%
AI React Native / Expo App Generator	~$5,370 MRR; $5,893 verified revenue last 30 days (TrustMRR/Stripe, Oct 24, 2026)	Not disclosed	Hard	85%
Reddit Marketing to Rank in AI Search	~$32,050 MRR; $45,934 verified revenue last 30 days (TrustMRR/Stripe, Oct 27, 2026)	Not disclosed	Medium	80%
Reddit GEO Agency for B2B SaaS	~$27,999 MRR; $29,999 verified revenue last 30 days (TrustMRR/Stripe, Oct 28, 2026)	Not disclosed	Medium	80%
AI Search Visibility Platform	~$15,994 MRR; $21,441 verified revenue last 30 days (TrustMRR/Stripe, Oct 25, 2026)	Not disclosed	Medium	80%