In 2026, the gap between ChatGPT and the best open local models has narrowed dramatically for everyday work. The right question isn't 'which is better' anymore — it's 'which fits this task'.
When ChatGPT wins
Public prompts, creative brainstorming with no sensitive data, fast multimodal experiments on the newest features. If you have no agreement restricting cloud use, ChatGPT is the fastest way to start.
When local wins
Strategic work, client-data handling, GDPR-compatible workflows, research on unpublished data, offline situations, specialised Finnish tasks, persistent memory, vendor independence, reproducible research.
Cost over time
ChatGPT Plus at ~€20/user/month = ~€240/user/year. A Sinun AI one-off build + small monthly maintenance pays back in 12–24 months and you keep the hardware. For bigger teams the gap widens fast.
Frequently asked
- Can I use both?
- Yes, and that's the most common outcome. Sensitive work on local, public tasks on ChatGPT. Sinun AI can also be configured to forward queries to ChatGPT when you explicitly choose.
Updated 2026-04-21