Short answer
Gemini Spark and OpenAI's Dots are the two big always-on cloud agents from Google and OpenAI. As of October 2026, Spark comes with US Google AI Pro and Ultra and works across Google Workspace apps, while the first dot is included with ChatGPT Pro and Business Premium and connects to 4,000+ apps. Neither has a confirmed business phone line.
Two clouds, two ecosystems
Spark and Dots are both pitched as agents that keep working after you close the app. Spark runs on Google's cloud with Gemini 3.5 and Google's Antigravity agent harness. A dot gets its own cloud computer and browser inside ChatGPT, runs on GPT-6 Astra and was launched on September 29, 2026 at OpenAI DevDay.
Spark has had a head start of several months in beta, while Dots list a much larger app catalog. Which matters more depends on where your data lives.
Head to head, as of October 2026
| Gemini Spark | OpenAI Dots | |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | Google I/O, May 19, 2026 | OpenAI DevDay, September 29, 2026 |
| Access | US Google AI Ultra from late May; US AI Pro from about July 23; Australia AI Pro from July 29 | First dot with ChatGPT Pro and Business Premium; admin-enabled beta for Enterprise, Edu, Healthcare |
| Price | Included with Google AI Pro ($19.99/month US) and Ultra | Included; Business Premium is $125/user/month or $100 billed annually; more dots at undisclosed prices |
| Regions | Excludes the EEA, UK, Switzerland and Nigeria (reported) | Pro excludes the EEA, Switzerland and the UK; Business Premium in all supported ChatGPT regions |
| Home turf | Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Calendar, Drive | 4,000+ apps through plugins; can work on your laptop with permission |
| Reach it | Gemini app; reportedly a dedicated Gmail address; texting announced as coming | ChatGPT desktop, web, mobile; Slack; Microsoft Teams; texting coming soon |
| Safety design | Asks before spending money or sending email; integrations opt-in | Read-only idle research, auto-review of risky actions, monitor that can pause; sensitive tasks stay with you |
| Business use | Selected business users reported; Workspace team features not confirmed | Specialist company dots only in enterprise pilots |
| Data | No Spark-specific training policy published | Business, Enterprise and Edu data not trained on by default |
| Phone | Not confirmed | Voice chat with your dot in ChatGPT; business line not confirmed |
Where Spark is stronger
Spark is stronger when your life is Google. It can act on triggers such as a flight delay, use sub-agents, and reach apps like Canva, OpenTable and Instacart through MCP. At $19.99 a month for Google AI Pro in the US, the entry cost is low. Integrations are opt-in, which gives you control over exposure.
The weaker points are regional exclusions and the unconfirmed team story. A company that needs several people to share one agent does not yet have a published path.
Where Dots are stronger
Dots are stronger on app breadth and on published detail about their guardrails. The plugin catalog of 4,000+ apps is large, and OpenAI spells out its guardrails and admits dots can still make mistakes. Slack and Microsoft Teams support makes them easier to bring into a workplace, and Microsoft is working to manage company dots through Agent 365.
The weaker points are access and the lack of a self-serve company dot. The first dot comes with a Pro or Business Premium seat, and the specialist dots that carry their own identity are only in pilots. Also, tasks a dot starts in Codex or ChatGPT Work count toward your usage limits, per The Next Web.
Choosing between them
- US, Google Workspace, solo or very small team: Spark.
- ChatGPT already in use, Slack or Teams workspace: Dots.
- Outside the US or inside the EU: check regional rules. Spark excludes the EEA, UK and Switzerland, while Dots on Business Premium cover all supported ChatGPT regions.
- Need customers to reach it by phone or WhatsApp: neither is confirmed.
For the full field see Best AI agents compared 2026, and for Spark's rivals read Gemini Spark alternatives.
When a managed AI employee is the missing piece
Both of these are tools you set up and supervise. Oraculo is a managed AI employee: it answers and places calls on your business line, follows up with leads in minutes, works your CRM, writes content and tracks your team, and you reach it on WhatsApp, iMessage, Slack, Telegram, email or its app. It works with Gmail and Google Calendar or Outlook, so you do not have to pick a suite.
An engineer connects everything with you across four 1-hour Zoom sessions, for a one-time $499 fee. Starter is $12/hour of work with a 6-hour weekly minimum (about $312/month), and Business is $8/hour with a 43-hour weekly minimum (about $1,500/month), calls are $0.19/minute, and a 30-day money-back guarantee applies. See Oraculo vs OpenAI Dots or book a 20-minute demo.
Key takeaway
Spark is the better fit for a US Google-based owner, Dots for a ChatGPT-based team. If customers need phone or WhatsApp access, add a layer built for that.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, Gemini Spark or OpenAI Dots?
Spark is better for US Google users at a low price. Dots are better for ChatGPT teams that want 4,000+ app connections and Slack or Teams support. Neither is confirmed to answer a business phone line as of October 2026.
Which launched first?
Gemini Spark was announced at Google I/O on May 19, 2026, with beta access for US Ultra subscribers from late May. OpenAI launched Dots on September 29, 2026.
Do both keep working when I close my laptop?
Yes, by design. Spark runs on Google's cloud, and each dot has its own cloud computer and browser inside ChatGPT. Both ask for approval on sensitive actions, and both can still make mistakes.
Are either available in Europe?
Spark excludes the EEA, UK, Switzerland and Nigeria, per Android Authority. Dots on Pro exclude the EEA, Switzerland and the UK, while Business Premium is available in all supported ChatGPT regions.
Which is cheaper for a small team?
Spark comes with individual Google AI plans from $19.99 a month in the US, but team features are unconfirmed. Dots need a Pro or Business Premium seat per person, with Business Premium at $100 to $125 per user per month.