Compare · ChatGPT

Digby vs ChatGPT

Both write, research and read files. The differences are where your conversations live, which models answer, and how much of the answer you can check.

Start chatting free Why switch

The end of a Digby answer: a list of cited sources, the “How Digby answered” panel and the “Dig deeper” button — Every answer lists its sources. “Dig deeper” starts an independent check or a full research pass.

At a glance

Feature	Digby	ChatGPT
Company	Built in Canada	OpenAI, United States
Where chats are stored	Canada (Montréal), for every user	Outside Canada for Free and Plus; Canada at rest for eligible Enterprise, Edu and API customers
Where answers are generated	Open-weight models on Canadian hardware	OpenAI’s infrastructure, generally outside Canada
Models	Custom-tuned open-weight models, chosen per question	OpenAI’s closed models
Second-model check	Built in for contested and high-stakes answers	Not a built-in feature
Used to train models	Never	Free and Plus chats, unless you opt out; business plans not by default
Memory	Visible, editable and deletable	Saved memories you can view and delete
Web search with sources	Yes	Yes
Self-hosting	Available for organisations	Not available for ChatGPT
Price to start	Free, no account needed	Free tier; Plus is US$20 a month

ChatGPT details from OpenAI’s published documentation as of October 2026. Plans and policies change — check the sources below.

Where your conversations live

Every Digby conversation — guest or signed in — is stored in Canada, and the model that writes the answer runs on Canadian hardware.

OpenAI added Canada as a data-residency region in late 2025, but only for eligible ChatGPT Enterprise, Edu and API customers, and it covers stored data. Free and Plus users have no Canadian option, and OpenAI’s residency documentation and press coverage indicate prompts are still generally processed outside Canada.

Sources OpenAI — business data and residencyComputerworld — OpenAI expands data residency (Nov 2025)

Training and retention

Digby never uses your conversations, memory or files to train or fine-tune AI models, on any plan.

OpenAI says consumer ChatGPT conversations may be used to improve its models unless you turn off “Improve the model for everyone” in Data Controls; business plans are not used for training by default. Deleted ChatGPT chats are scheduled for permanent deletion within 30 days, with some exceptions.

In May 2026, a joint investigation by the federal, Québec, British Columbia and Alberta privacy commissioners found that OpenAI’s collection of personal information to train earlier ChatGPT models was overly broad; OpenAI committed to changes.

Sources OpenAI — data controlsOpenAI — deleting chatsOffice of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (May 2026)

How answers are made

ChatGPT answers with OpenAI’s own models. Digby routes each question to a suitable open-weight model, searches the web when facts are current or disputed, and has a different model review contested or high-stakes answers. “Dig deeper” under any answer starts an independent check or a full research council.

How Digby double-checks answers

When ChatGPT may suit you better

If you rely on OpenAI-specific features or a workplace already standardised on ChatGPT Enterprise, staying may be simpler. If you want your conversations in Canada by default, open models without lock-in and answers that are checked, try Digby on your own questions — it’s free.

Try Digby free

Frequently asked questions

Is ChatGPT data stored in Canada?

Only for eligible ChatGPT Enterprise, Edu and API customers who choose Canadian residency, and that covers stored data. Free and Plus accounts have no Canadian storage option. Digby stores every user’s data in Canada.

Is Digby free like ChatGPT?

Yes. Chat as a guest or with a free account; heavier features such as deep research have daily limits.

Can Digby do what ChatGPT does?

For everyday work — writing, research with sources, files, images, voice and code — yes. Try your own questions and compare.