Guides · Last checked 15 October 2026
Claude Skills vs Custom GPTs vs Gemini Gems (Updated for the 2026 Switch to Skills)
Short answer: all three are moving to the same idea. Google is replacing Gems with skills that use the SKILL.md format, OpenAI is retiring custom GPTs in favour of plugins built from skills, and Claude already supports skills on every plan. Write your instructions once as a skill and they can travel with you.
| Claude skills | ChatGPT (custom GPTs, now plugins and skills) | Gemini (Gems, now skills) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Format | Folder with SKILL.md (open standard) | GPTs: instructions plus knowledge files. Replacement plugins hold skills | Gems: instructions plus files. Skills use SKILL.md |
| Loads | Automatically when relevant | GPT: when you open it. Skills: automatically or with @ | Gems: when you open one. Skills: automatically or with / |
| Can you still create one? | Yes, on all plans (Anthropic) | No new GPTs on personal accounts (Free, Go, Plus, Pro) (OpenAI) | Skills yes, without a paid plan (Google) |
| What happens next | No change announced | GPTs scheduled to retire 11 December 2026; migrate to plugins (OpenAI) | Gems removed for personal accounts from November 2026, work accounts from March 2027, education from June 2027 (Google) |
What's the big difference?
GPTs and Gems are separate chatbots you switch into. Skills extend your normal assistant, switch themselves on when needed, and you can have lots of them, even several in one chat.
What is happening to custom GPTs?
OpenAI says custom GPTs are scheduled to retire on 11 December 2026. If you created one, you can choose Migrate to plugin in My GPTs. Its instructions become a skill and its knowledge files become reference files. Conversations, the chosen model and custom actions don't carry over (OpenAI). Standalone skills already work in the ChatGPT desktop app, and skills bundled in plugins work on web, desktop and mobile (OpenAI).
For most people on a personal plan, the simplest option today is a ChatGPT project with project instructions, or your custom instructions. Projects are included with every qualifying plan, and the Free plan allows 5 files per project (OpenAI).
What is happening to Gemini Gems?
Skills started rolling out in the Gemini app on 13 October 2026. Gems move into Settings on 17 November 2026, and Google says it will automatically turn remaining Gems into draft skills when Gems go away, which you then review and switch on (Google Workspace Updates, Gemini Help).
How do I reuse my instructions?
The instructions are mostly the same everywhere. Write the skill once, upload it to Claude or Gemini as is, and paste the text into a ChatGPT project. MakeASkill gives you a paste-ready version with a Copy button for exactly that. Try it free.