How to research suppliers and competitors with AI
"I need a new packaging supplier, but I haven't got an afternoon to trawl through websites."
Last checked: 16 October 2026
Short answer
Our pick: Google Gemini. Free to start and plugged into Google Search, so it's handy for up-to-date research.
Best free option: Google Gemini's free plan (same tool as our pick; usage limits may apply).
Time to first result: about 10 minutes to a first comparison table.
Copy this prompt
I run [type of business] in [town]. Find and compare [3-5 suppliers / local competitors] for [product or service]. Make a table of price (if public), what's included and reviews, include the source link for each fact, and say clearly where you couldn't find information.
UK note: If you put personal data into AI tools, the ICO's guidance on AI and data protection applies. (ICO, checked 16 Oct 2026) You don't need any personal data for this job, so leave it out.
Worked example
Illustrative example: written by us, not a recorded AI output. Hartley & Co, an accounting practice in Chester, checks how three local practices price sole-trader Self Assessment returns. Example output: a table with columns for name, published price, what's included and reviews, a source link on every fact, and "price not published" where no price could be found. No figures are guessed.
Your first 10 minutes
Decide what you're comparing
Name the product or service, your town, and 3–5 suppliers or "the top local ones".
Sign in to Gemini
Go to gemini.google.com and sign in with your Google account.
You should see an empty chat.
Paste the prompt
Fill in the [brackets] and send it.
You should see a comparison table with links.
Check every fact (never skip this)
Open each source link and check that the price and details are really on that page and up to date. Delete anything you can't find.
Ask for the gaps
Reply: "Which suppliers didn't publish prices? Draft a short email asking each for a quote."
Save the table
Copy it into a spreadsheet so you can add the quotes as they come back.
What you'll get
A starting shortlist with sources. AI can miss suppliers, misread prices or link to old pages, so the source check matters more than the table.
Cost
Google Gemini: Free plan; Google AI Plus £4.49/month; Google AI Pro £18.99/month; Google AI Ultra from £79.99/month. Checked 16 Oct 2026 at https://gemini.google/gb/subscriptions/?hl=en-GB. The free plan is enough to start.
Compare
- ChatGPT: Free plan; Go £6.99/month; Plus £19.99/month (UK in-app price; web price may differ) (checked 16 Oct 2026, Source)
- Claude: Free plan; Pro £20/month or £199.99/year (UK in-app price; web price may differ); Max from $100/month (US pricing) (checked 16 Oct 2026, Source)
- Microsoft Copilot: Free app; Microsoft 365 Copilot (business) from £13.80/user/month billed yearly, or £19.32/user/month billed monthly (checked 16 Oct 2026, Source)
What to do next
- Tidy the quotes into one sheet → Spreadsheets.
- Ask for quotes politely → Customer emails.
- Get the free starter kit → /starter-kit.
Frequently asked questions
Can I trust the prices it finds?
Only once you've opened the source link and checked them yourself. The prompt asks it to say where it couldn't find information rather than guess.
Is Gemini free?
Yes, to start. Gemini has a free plan you can start on; usage limits apply and paid plans add more. Google AI Plus is £4.49/month (checked 16 Oct 2026).
Related: Spreadsheets · Gemini
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