AI plugins and connectors explained: Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini and MCP
Where it stands
As of Oct 22, 2026: all three assistants connect to other apps; Claude and ChatGPT also offer plugins.
Plugins are the biggest change in AI assistants this year: instead of copying text into a chat, the assistant works directly in your email, files and tools. Here's how it works, in plain words.
What is MCP, and why does everyone mention it?
MCP, the Model Context Protocol, is an open standard for connecting AI apps to data sources and tools. Its docs compare it to a USB-C port: build a connection once and it works in any assistant that supports it, including Claude and ChatGPT.
Sources: [1] Model Context Protocol
How do connectors work in Claude?
Connectors let Claude search, read and act in services like Slack, Linear and Google Drive, on all plans. Claude gets your permissions in that service, no more. You find them in the Connectors Directory or add any MCP server yourself.
Plugins, on paid plans, bundle connectors with skills and sub-agents for a role such as sales or finance, and carry over to Claude Code. Plugin Create helps you build your own.
Sources: [2] Anthropic, [3] Anthropic
How do plugins work in ChatGPT?
A ChatGPT plugin bundles skills and connected apps, such as Slack, for a task. The directory is open on every plan, but what you can install depends on plan, workspace and region. ChatGPT uses installed plugins automatically when they fit, or you call one with @. Plugin Creator builds new ones from a description.
Sources: [4] OpenAI
And in Gemini?
Gemini uses Connected Apps: Gmail, Google Calendar, YouTube Music, Spotify, Google Home and others. You add or remove them under Customize > Connectors. If Keep Activity is off, they aren't available on the web or iPhone.
Sources: [5] Google
What are the risks?
Connecting an app lets the assistant read and potentially change data with your permissions. Anthropic advises connecting only services you trust and warns that local MCP servers run with the same permissions as any program on your computer. OpenAI notes its Verified badge doesn't replace your own security review.
Sources: [2] Anthropic, [3] Anthropic, [4] OpenAI
What we’ll update next
- Independent tests of how reliably assistants use connected apps
- Security incidents involving plugins or MCP servers
- Gemini support for MCP
How we know (5 sources)
Official introduction (read Oct 22, 2026): MCP is an open-source standard for connecting AI applications like Claude or ChatGPT to data sources, tools and workflows, described as "a USB-C port for AI applications". Supported by assistants including Claude and ChatGPT and by developer tools like VS Code and Cursor.
Read the sourceHelp article (read Oct 22, 2026): connectors let Claude access apps such as Slack, Linear and Google Drive, retrieve data and take actions, for all users on web, desktop and mobile. Claude inherits each person's permissions in the connected service. Connecting grants permission to access and potentially modify data, so only connect services you trust. Team and Enterprise owners can restrict actions, such as read-only.
Read the sourceHelp article (read Oct 22, 2026): plugins, on all paid plans, bundle skills, connectors and sub-agents for a role such as sales, finance or legal, and sync to Claude Code. Plugin Create helps build custom plugins. Plugins may include local MCP servers that run on your computer with the same permissions as any program, so install only from trusted sources.
Read the sourceHelp article (read Oct 22, 2026): ChatGPT plugins bundle skills and connected apps (such as Slack) for a task; the plugin directory is available across plans, with availability depending on plan, workspace and region. Installing may start an authorization flow and can't bypass permissions. Some plugins are OpenAI Verified, which doesn't replace your own security review. Plugin Creator builds custom plugins.
Read the sourceHelp article (read Oct 22, 2026): with permission, Gemini can use Connected Apps to summarize Gmail, create calendar events, play music from YouTube Music or Spotify, and control Google Home devices. You connect or disconnect apps under Customize > Connectors. With Keep Activity off, Connected Apps are unavailable on the web and iOS.
Read the source