Start with what you want to get done. We'll match your task to the evidence, not to the biggest marketing budget.
Here are the options worth considering.
We've ranked these using the tests that are relevant to your task. Each test has limits, so treat this as a useful starting point, not a guarantee.
In short
For research and checking facts, our pick is Gemini 4 Argon. GPT-6.1 Sol and Claude Opus 5.5 are too close to call against it. If you would rather use a model with open weights, DeepSeek-V4-Pro (High, 20260813) is the best of those we can see. We have verified prices for Gemini 4 Argon and GPT-6.1 Sol only; for the rest we cannot say what they cost.
For Research and checking facts, we looked at short factual questions first.
Best-supported choice Cheapest verified option
Scored highest on short factual questions among the models with enough evidence, and none of its other relevant results put it behind the leaders.
Worth knowing: Not enough data for fixing real software bugs, so part of the picture is missing.
Price: - Google AI Pro: GBP 18.99 per month (price source, verified 28 Oct 2026)
- Google AI Ultra (from): GBP 79.99 per month (price source, verified 28 Oct 2026)
How we know: scores and sources
See everything about Gemini 4 Argon
Also worth a look
Good-enough alternative Close call with our top pick
Rated Top tier on short factual questions.
Worth knowing: On everyday chat votes it sits in the middle of the listed models.
Price: - ChatGPT Plus: GBP 20.00 per month (price source, verified 29 Oct 2026)
- ChatGPT Pro (from): GBP 89.00 per month (price source, verified 29 Oct 2026)
How we know: scores and sources
Full profile for GPT-6.1 Sol
Good-enough alternative Close call with our top pick
Rated Top tier on short factual questions.
Worth knowing: On graduate-level science questions it sits in the middle of the listed models.
Price: Price not independently verified
How we know: scores and sources
Full profile for Claude Opus 5.5
Best open-weights option
Rated Strong on short factual questions. Its weights are published under an open licence, so it can be offered by more than one provider. We have not verified any price or free access.
Worth knowing: On everyday chat votes it sits in the middle of the listed models.
Price: Price not independently verified
How we know: scores and sources
Full profile for DeepSeek-V4-Pro (High, 20260813)
The “Cheapest verified option” label means the lowest verified monthly plan price among the options shown that have a verified price. Options without a verified price are not compared, so they may cost less. Check each plan's own limits before deciding.
Other models with enough evidence (39)
These have a result for the main test but were not shown above. They rated Middle or Behind the leaders on it, or fell outside the top few. Listed in score order.
Models we could not rank for this task (34)
Missing evidence is not a low score. These models are left out of the ranking because the tests for this task have no result for them.
How this was decided: our recommendation rules. Results are relative to the 77 models listed here.
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