TL;DR
The author moved from ChatGPT to Google Gemini after Gemini 3 and Nano Banana Pro arrived, but says Gemini still lacks several practical features found in ChatGPT. Key gaps include a native macOS client, deeper third-party app integrations, project/folder organization, and a stronger voice-mode experience.
What happened
In 2025 the writer adopted multiple AI tools for daily work, relying heavily on ChatGPT early in the year before switching to Google’s Gemini after the rollouts of Gemini 3 and the Nano Banana Pro model. Google accelerated feature launches for Gemini in December, but the author found notable usability shortfalls compared with ChatGPT. Gemini does not yet offer a native Mac application, forcing users into browser tabs and manual copy-paste workflows; Google says a macOS client is in development. Third-party app connections in Gemini are currently limited and skewed toward mobile media and select device vendors, while ChatGPT has a broader App Store ecosystem and integrations that can operate across desktop apps. Gemini also lacks a Projects or folder system to group related chats and files, and its conversational voice mode — Gemini Live — misses features such as memory recall and synchronized, real-time transcripts that ChatGPT provides.
Why it matters
- Without a native macOS app, Gemini can interrupt desktop workflows and add friction when switching between tools.
- Limited third-party integrations reduce the assistant’s ability to act directly on user data in popular apps and services.
- Absence of Projects/folders makes long-term, multi-chat work harder to resume and organize.
- A weaker voice-mode experience limits hands-free or conversational workflows, especially for complex, multi-turn exchanges.
- Google’s rapid update cadence suggests these gaps could be filled, affecting user choice between AI assistants.
Key facts
- The author primarily used ChatGPT for most of the year before switching to Google Gemini after Gemini 3 and Nano Banana Pro releases.
- Google pushed several Gemini-related updates in December, but gaps remain compared with ChatGPT.
- Gemini does not currently offer a native macOS app; Google is reportedly working on one.
- Gemini’s third-party app support is relatively small and focused on mobile media and certain OEM apps; it includes Google services like Calendar, Docs, Drive, and Keep.
- ChatGPT provides a native Mac app and a 'Work with Apps' capability that can read and act on content in desktop apps such as Notes and Notion (per the author’s experience).
- ChatGPT hosts an App Store for integrations (currently in beta) and offers connectors like Booking.com, Spotify, Figma, Canva, and Apple Music in the author’s usage.
- Gemini lacks a Projects or folder feature to collect related chats and files; users can pin chats but that can increase clutter.
- Gemini Live (voice mode) does not support memory across conversations and does not display a real-time transcript; it shows captions live and a full transcript only after a session ends.
- Gemini Live can export highlights to selected Google apps such as Keep, Calendar, and Maps.
What to watch next
- Google is developing a native macOS Gemini app (confirmed in the source).
- Whether Google will roll out a Projects-like feature to group chats and files for multi-month work (confirmed in the source as 'in development').
- Whether Gemini will gain deep third-party integrations comparable to ChatGPT’s App Store — not confirmed in the source.
- If Gemini Live will receive memory support and live, spoken-plus-text transcripts similar to ChatGPT’s unified voice mode — not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- Gemini: Google’s generative AI assistant and model family used for conversational tasks and integrations across Google products.
- ChatGPT: OpenAI’s conversational AI product that offers chat-based assistance and supports third-party app integrations and native clients.
- Native app: A software application built specifically for a particular operating system, such as macOS, offering closer integration with desktop features than a browser-based interface.
- Third-party integration: A connection that allows an AI tool to access or interact with external apps and services to perform tasks or retrieve data.
- Transcript: A written record of a spoken conversation; in AI voice modes, transcripts can appear in real time or be generated after a session.
Reader FAQ
Does Gemini have a native Mac app?
Not yet; the source says Google is working on a macOS client.
Can Gemini access many third-party apps like ChatGPT?
Gemini supports a limited set of third-party integrations focused on mobile media and select OEM apps; broader desktop-style integrations are not described in the source.
Does Gemini support Projects or folders to group related work?
No — Gemini currently lacks a Projects/folders feature; the source indicates Google may be developing something similar.
Is Gemini Live on par with ChatGPT’s voice mode?
According to the source, Gemini Live lacks conversation memory and a real-time spoken-plus-text transcript; it shows captions live and a full transcript only after the conversation.
Google Gemini is awesome, but it needs to copy these features from ChatGPT Credit: Google By Rajesh Pandey Published 14 minutes ago Rajesh started following the latest happenings in the world…
Sources
- Google Gemini is awesome, but it needs to copy these features from ChatGPT
- ChatGPT Users…Should You Make the Switch to Gemini?
- Google Gemini vs ChatGPT: 2 Models, Which is Better?
- ChatGPT vs Claude vs Gemini: The Best AI Model for Each …
Related posts
- YC-backed Crimson is hiring a founding full-stack engineer in London
- Show HN: Cover letter generator with Ollama/local LLMs (Open source)
- I Shifted to an Almost All‑EU Tech Stack — Saving About €500 a Year