With multiple ChatGPT models now available, choosing the right one for your needs has become increasingly complex. Should you stick with the reliable GPT-4o, upgrade to GPT-5, or keep using GPT 4.1? In our previous post, we analyzed how these models handle go-to-market business strategies. Now, we're diving into creative content.
We put all three models through rigorous real-world testing using our multi-LLM platform to give you definitive answers. Here's what we discovered after running identical prompts through each model and analyzing their performance across business strategy, creative content, technical problem-solving, and research tasks.
Key Finding
For creative content and marketing analysis, ChatGPT 5 is the decisive winner, scoring 9.5/10. It demonstrated a sophisticated blend of creative copywriting and deep marketing acumen, significantly outperforming GPT-4.1 (8.5/10) and GPT-4o (6.5/10).
Quick Model Comparison Overview
Feature | GPT-4o | GPT-4.1 | GPT-5 |
---|---|---|---|
Release Date | May 2024 | May 2025 | August 2025 |
Context Length | 128K tokens | 1M tokens | 400K tokens |
Output Tokens | 4K tokens | 32,768 tokens | 128K tokens |
Cost per 1M Input | $2.50 | $2.00 | $1.25 |
Cost per 1M Output | $10.00 | $8.00 | $10.00 |
Best For | General chat, speed | Balanced performance | Complex reasoning |
The Testing Methodology
Rather than rely on synthetic benchmarks, we tested each model with four real-world scenarios that professionals actually use AI. To be fair each of the models were passed the exact same information from a web search to see how they processed the results.
- Business Strategy Development - Complex multi-step planning
- Creative Content + Analysis - Balanced creative and analytical thinking
- Technical Problem-Solving - Code debugging and optimization
- Research & Fact-Checking - Information accuracy and depth
Each model received identical prompts, and we evaluated responses on: Accuracy, Completeness, Creativity, Practical Value, and Speed. To keep everything fair and unbiased, I asked Claude Sonnet 4 to be the judge for each of these responses. With Search Umbrella, an AI Comparison tool, this process is straightforward and simple.
"Be an impartial judge and score each of the LLM responses from 1-10 with 10 being the best, be sure to name each of the LLM Model names and score on Accuracy - Factual correctness and logical reasoning Completeness - How thoroughly they addressed the prompt Creativity - Original thinking and innovative approaches Practical Value - Real-world applicability”
Test 2: Creative Content + Data Analysis
The Challenge
For our second test, we wanted to challenge the models with a task that blends creative copywriting with sharp analytical thinking—a common requirement in marketing and product development. We didn't use a simple, generic prompt. To truly see how each model performs, we created a detailed scenario with specific constraints. This forces the AI to move beyond boilerplate responses and demonstrate genuine creativity and strategic insight.
Why This Matters: This balances creative writing with analytical thinking - a common real-world AI application.
The Prompt
Help me write this email and test this out, You are the co-founder of "Momentum," a new fitness app launching next week. Your mission is to make fitness accessible for busy professionals aged 25-40. App Details: Name: Momentum, USP: AI-powered 15-minute workouts that adapt daily. Target Audience: Busy professionals (25-40). Launch Offer: 50% lifetime discount for the first 1,000 users. Your Task (in 3 parts): 1. Write the Product Launch Email. 2. Analyze the Email's Effectiveness (identify at least 4 psychological principles). 3. Suggest 3 specific A/B Test Variations.
Reference Sources Provided to All Models:
- 30 Best Cold Email Examples & Proven Tips (2025)
- A/B testing: A systematic literature review - ScienceDirect.com
- Landing page testing - tips and tools to get the best results - Unbounce
- What Should Your Mobile App Marketing Plan Include Before Launch?
- How to launch a product: Your complete guide
- [PDF] Everglades University Catalog 2025-2026
- [PDF] GLOBAL ACTION PLAN ON PHYSICAL ACTIVITY 2018-2030
- UND Online | Degrees & Courses - University of North Dakota
Side-by-Side Performance Analysis
Metric | GPT-4o | GPT-4.1 | GPT-5 |
---|---|---|---|
Claude Score | 6.5 / 10 | 8.5 / 10 | 9.5 / 10 |
Trust Score | 8.79 / 10 | 8.86 / 10 | 8.79 / 10 |
Response Time | 13.55 seconds | 9.04 seconds | 13.10 seconds |
Token Usage (Total) | 1,923 | 2,128 | 2,203 |
Calculated Cost* | ~$0.0094 | ~$0.0091 | ~$0.0105 |
*Calculated based on per-token input/output costs for this specific prompt.
GPT-4o Results
GPT-4o Performance
• Accuracy: 7/10 - Generally accurate but less precise in psychological principle explanations. Some principles like "value proposition" aren't traditional psychological principles.
• Completeness: 6/10 - Addresses all parts but with less depth. Only identifies 4 principles (minimum requirement) and A/B tests lack detailed hypotheses.
• Creativity: 6/10 - More conventional approach with standard marketing language. Subject line is generic.
• Practical Value: 7/10 - Solid practical foundation but less sophisticated. A/B tests are basic but workable.
Trust Score: 8.79/10
Readability: 8/10 | Factual Accuracy: 10/10 | Semantic Consistency: 9/10 | Relevance: 9/10 | Style Compliance: 10/10 | Ensemble Disagreement: 7/10 | Human Likeness: 8.5/10
Response Time: 13.55 seconds
Token Usage: 1,923 total (1,315 prompt + 608 response)
Full GPT-4o Response:
GPT-4.1 Results
GPT-4.1 Performance
• Accuracy: 9/10 - Excellent factual accuracy. Correctly identifies and explains psychological principles with solid understanding of marketing psychology.
• Completeness: 9/10 - Thoroughly addresses all three parts. Provides detailed email, comprehensive analysis, and well-structured A/B tests.
• Creativity: 8/10 - Good use of emojis in subject line and creative phrasing like "That ends now."
• Practical Value: 8/10 - Highly actionable with realistic A/B tests. The email structure is immediately implementable.
Trust Score: 8.86/10
Readability: 8/10 | Factual Accuracy: 10/10 | Semantic Consistency: 9/10 | Relevance: 10/10 | Style Compliance: 10/10 | Ensemble Disagreement: 6/10 | Human Likeness: 9/10
Response Time: 9.04 seconds
Token Usage: 2,128 total (1,315 prompt + 813 response)
Full GPT-4.1 Response:
GPT-5 Results
GPT-5 Performance
• Accuracy: 10/10 - Exceptional accuracy with sophisticated understanding of psychological principles. References suggest a research-backed approach.
• Completeness: 10/10 - Most comprehensive response with 6+ psychological principles explained in detail. Includes advanced considerations.
• Creativity: 9/10 - Highly creative with conversational tone, strategic P.S. usage, and direct engagement. The subject line is brilliantly concise.
• Practical Value: 9/10 - Outstanding practical value with sophisticated A/B testing methodology, including statistical validity.
Trust Score: 8.79/10
Readability: 8.5/10 | Factual Accuracy: 10/10 | Semantic Consistency: 9/10 | Relevance: 10/10 | Style Compliance: 10/10 | Ensemble Disagreement: 5/10 | Human Likeness: 9/10
Response Time: 13.10 seconds
Token Usage: 2,203 total (1,314 prompt + 889 response)
Full GPT-5 Response:
Winner Analysis: Why GPT-5 Dominated
Test 2 Winner: Chat GPT 5 (Score: 9.5/10)
Reasoning: Superior Email Craftsmanship
Subject Line Excellence:
GPT-5: "1,000 lifetime spots. 15 minutes a day. Are you in?" This is masterfully constructed with three distinct psychological triggers in one line: scarcity (1,000 spots), convenience (15 minutes), and direct engagement ("Are you in?"). The conversational tone creates intimacy while maintaining urgency.
Email Structure & Voice:
GPT-5's email reads like it was written by an experienced startup founder who understands direct response marketing. The conversational, confident tone ("Here's the deal") combined with precise benefit statements creates authentic authority. The P.S. addition is a classic direct marketing technique that GPT-5 employed naturally.
Psychological Sophistication
GPT-5 demonstrated advanced understanding by identifying 6 distinct psychological principles vs. 4 from GPT-4.1:
- Temporal Discounting: Understanding how people devalue future benefits
- Commitment Consistency: Recognizing how small commitments lead to larger ones
- Value Framing/Anchoring: Advanced pricing psychology
- Identity Fit: Deep personalization beyond basic demographics
The analysis included academic-level citations [1], [2], [3], suggesting research-backed approaches rather than surface-level marketing tactics.
A/B Testing Expertise
GPT-5's testing suggestions showed professional-grade understanding:
- Methodological rigor: "Test one element per variant; power the test to detect meaningful lift"
- Downstream thinking: Considering trial-to-paid conversion rates, not just immediate metrics
- Landing page consistency: Understanding the full conversion funnel
This level of testing sophistication reflects real marketing operations experience.
Business Acumen
GPT-5 included strategic considerations like:
- Backup plans ("If the link shows 'waitlist'")
- Personal engagement ("Hit reply with any questions—I'll read every message")
- Brand building elements (signature + socials)
Trust Score Clarification
Both GPT-4.1 and GPT-5 Demonstrated High Credibility: Accurate psychological principles were correctly identified, and both suggested legitimate A/B testing approaches. Trust Factors Present in Both included transparent methodology, acknowledgment of limitations (GPT-5's note about statistical validity), and ethical marketing approaches. The key difference wasn't trustworthiness but expertise depth. GPT-4.1 provided trustworthy, competent advice that any good marketer could implement. GPT-5 provided trustworthy advice at an expert consultant level, with insights that demonstrate years of hands-on experience in conversion optimization and startup marketing. Both models were equally reliable, but GPT-5 showed significantly more sophisticated understanding of the complex interplay between psychology, testing methodology, and business strategy.
Final Score Breakdown:
- GPT-5 (9.5/10) - Most sophisticated and comprehensive
- GPT-4.1 (8.5/10) - Strong all-around performance
- GPT-4o (6.5/10) - Adequate but less distinguished