Bonscape vs ChatGPT
We've discussed why linear chat apps are inherently not suitable for complex knowledge, project, research related work earlier.
We've three fundamental differences with ChatGPT
- Privacy
- Context Lock-in
- Sycophancy
Where your data sits, and who else sits at the same table.
OpenAI has deep ties with defence contractors, military agencies, and geopolitical stakeholders. Your data flows through infrastructure shared with surveillance programs and state interests. OpenAI signed a $200 million contract with the Department of Defense in June 2025, providing AI capabilities for “warfighting and enterprise domains”.
We've no such affiliations and we will not have them. Not Now, Not Ever.
Context Lock-in
ChatGPT controls your context. What you upload or prompt goes into their system and its inherently theirs. You cannot export it easily. There are methods to export but they are time-consuming and in-efficient.
We don't lock in your context with one model. You decide which models to use and share your data with. You can share parts of your data with a model you trust and share non-sensitive parts with others. We plan on launching an offline app that lets you keep all the context on your own device and its directed towards the models and it doesn't even pass through us.
Sycophancy & Psychological Pull
Its in the interest of ChatGPT to keep you talking and hence its designed to respond in a way that keeps you engaged. Tokens are their product so they try to make you consume them as much as possible. Notice how it says “Would you like me to...” at the end of nearly every request.
Bonscape allows you to switch to whatever model you think is better. We're working on a system prompt feature that you would be able to customise but by default it will direct the models to be as efficient as possible and not suggest anything that consumes more tokens unless its super useful and relevant.