TL;DR
Both Claude and ChatGPT send your code to cloud servers for processing. Claude doesn't train on conversations by default and offers a 90-day deletion policy, while ChatGPT trains on free tier conversations unless you opt out. Both offer enterprise tiers with stronger privacy guarantees. For coding, security practices matter more than which chatbot you choose.
Claude (by Anthropic) and ChatGPT (by OpenAI) are the two leading general-purpose AI assistants that developers use for coding help. Both can explain code, debug issues, write functions, and review security. This comparison focuses on the privacy and security implications of using each tool for coding tasks.
Platform Overview
What Is Claude?
Claude is Anthropic's AI assistant, designed with a focus on being helpful, harmless, and honest. Claude excels at longer context windows (up to 200K tokens), making it effective for analyzing entire codebases. It's available through the Claude web app, API, and integrated into tools like Cursor and Amazon Bedrock.
What Is ChatGPT?
ChatGPT is OpenAI's conversational AI, built on GPT-4 and other models. It offers Code Interpreter for running Python code, browsing capabilities, and plugin integrations. ChatGPT is available through the web, mobile apps, API, and powers GitHub Copilot. It has the largest user base of any AI assistant.
Security Feature Comparison
| Security Feature | Claude | ChatGPT |
|---|---|---|
| Default Training | No training on conversations | Trains on free tier (opt-out available) |
| Data Retention | 90 days default | 30 days (API) / varies (chat) |
| Enterprise Tier | Claude for Enterprise | ChatGPT Enterprise |
| SOC 2 Compliance | Type II certified | Type II certified |
| Code Execution | No built-in execution | Code Interpreter (sandboxed) |
| Context Window | Up to 200K tokens | Up to 128K tokens |
| GDPR Compliance | Yes | Yes |
| SSO Options | Enterprise tier | Enterprise/Team tiers |
Data Privacy Approaches
Claude's Privacy Model
Anthropic doesn't train Claude on user conversations by default, which is a key differentiator. Your code stays private and isn't used to improve future models. Data is retained for 90 days for safety monitoring and then deleted. The API and Claude for Enterprise offer additional privacy controls.
Key Claude privacy features:
- No training on conversations (default policy)
- 90-day data retention, then deletion
- Enterprise tier offers custom retention policies
- Constitutional AI approach to safety
ChatGPT's Privacy Model
OpenAI's free ChatGPT tier uses conversations to train models unless you opt out in settings. ChatGPT Plus offers conversation history toggle. ChatGPT Team and Enterprise provide guaranteed no-training policies. The API has different terms with shorter retention and no training by default.
Key ChatGPT privacy features:
- Opt-out available for training data use
- Team/Enterprise tiers guarantee no training
- API has 30-day retention by default
- History can be disabled (also disables training)
Code-Specific Considerations
Sharing Code with Claude
Claude's large context window makes it effective for sharing entire files or even multiple files for review. When you paste code into Claude, it's processed on Anthropic's servers. The code isn't used for training but is temporarily stored. Avoid sharing secrets, API keys, or proprietary algorithms.
Sharing Code with ChatGPT
ChatGPT's Code Interpreter actually executes Python code in a sandboxed environment, which is powerful but means your code runs on OpenAI's servers. For non-executing code assistance, the same privacy considerations apply as Claude. Enable history-off mode for sensitive coding sessions on free tier.
Enterprise Features
Claude for Enterprise
Anthropic's enterprise offering includes SSO, extended context windows, admin controls, and custom retention policies. It's designed for organizations that need AI assistance with strong privacy guarantees. The enterprise tier can be accessed through the API or direct contracts.
ChatGPT Enterprise
OpenAI's enterprise tier provides unlimited high-speed GPT-4, no training on business data, enterprise-grade security, admin console, and custom usage policies. It's widely adopted by large organizations and integrates with Microsoft's enterprise ecosystem through Azure OpenAI.
Choose Claude When: You want no-training-by-default without toggling settings, need larger context windows for code review, or prefer Anthropic's safety-focused approach. Claude's 200K context window is excellent for analyzing entire codebases. Best for developers who prioritize straightforward privacy policies.
Choose ChatGPT When: You need Code Interpreter for running Python, want the largest ecosystem of integrations, or your organization already uses Microsoft/OpenAI enterprise tools. ChatGPT's plugin ecosystem and Code Interpreter provide unique capabilities. Best for teams embedded in the OpenAI/Microsoft ecosystem.
Security Risks with Both Tools
Common Risks
Both tools present similar risks when used for coding. You're sending code to external servers, and while both companies have security measures, data breaches are possible. Neither tool should be used for code containing secrets, credentials, or highly sensitive business logic.
Mitigations
- Never paste API keys, passwords, or secrets into either tool
- Use sanitized examples instead of production code when possible
- Enable ChatGPT's no-history mode for sensitive sessions
- Consider enterprise tiers for commercial codebases
- Review generated code for security issues before using
- Document your organization's AI tool usage policies
API vs Chat Interface
Privacy Differences
Both companies offer API access with different privacy terms than consumer chat products. APIs typically have shorter retention periods and clearer no-training guarantees. For programmatic code assistance or integration into development tools, API access often provides better privacy posture than web interfaces.
Does Claude learn from my code?
No, Anthropic doesn't train Claude on user conversations by default. Your code is processed to generate responses but isn't used to improve future models. This applies to all tiers, not just enterprise.
How do I stop ChatGPT from training on my code?
Go to Settings > Data Controls and disable "Chat history & training." This prevents your conversations from being used for model training. Alternatively, use ChatGPT Team/Enterprise or the API for guaranteed no-training policies.
Which is better for secure code review?
Both can identify security issues in code. Claude's larger context window allows reviewing more code at once. ChatGPT's Code Interpreter can actually run security tests. For sensitive code, consider the privacy implications of either choice and sanitize sensitive data before sharing.
Can I use either tool for production code?
Yes, with appropriate precautions. Use enterprise tiers for commercial projects, never include secrets in prompts, and always review generated code for security issues. Both tools can produce insecure code, so human review is essential.
Validate AI-Generated Code
CheckYourVibe scans code from Claude, ChatGPT, and other AI tools for security vulnerabilities before you deploy.
Try CheckYourVibe Free