At this point, artificial intelligence (AI) has taken over conversations about new and emerging technology. Regardless of your industry, AI tools are easily tailored to meet your business or personal needs. So, if you haven’t adopted an AI chatbot, now is the time to consider how to benefit from the best AI chatbots on the market.
For example, advertising and marketing teams can benefit from using an AI chatbot to generate and schedule content. At the same time, executive leaders can utilize deep research models for ideation and strategic planning. If you want to learn more, consider the following options to determine what the best AI chatbot is for your business needs.
- Overall best AI chatbot: ChatGPT
- Best for team collaboration: Copilot
- Best for coding tasks: Claude
- Best for Google Workspace users: Gemini
- Best for research and planning: Perplexity
Comparing the best AI chatbots
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ChatGPT: Overall best AI chatbot
Our rating: 4.45 out of 5
ChatGPT is an AI chatbot developed by OpenAI and is one of many large language models (LLMs) that have gained popularity among companies and everyday consumers. ChatGPT stands out because OpenAI pioneered many of the most popular and impactful generative AI tools, creating a name for itself that is now synonymous with AI. Instead of resting on their laurels, OpenAI continues to develop and produce new models and tools optimized for everything from mathematical reasoning to artistic content.
Why I chose ChatGPT
For those who have some knowledge of AI chatbots, you know that a list of the best models is not complete without ChatGPT. Even compared to new models on the market, ChatGPT continues to be one of the best tools for general use, which works well for individual users and businesses. Whether you want to generate text and images or search for information, ChatGPT has you covered.
ChatGPT also stands out because of the unique way it stores its conversation history. While most AI chatbots keep track of your information and offer chatbot customization, ChatGPT compiles detailed insights about your personality based on previous interactions. So, if you ever want to know how an AI (or your therapist) perceives you, visit the memory section to learn some unexpected information about yourself or your work.
Additionally, ChatGPT has included more accessible features, like voice mode, which allows you to speak to the model and have more humanlike conversations. Therefore, ChatGPT continues to be an AI chatbot to watch as each iteration of the GPT-4 models brings something unexpected to the table.
Pricing
- ChatGPT: Free tier
- ChatGPT Plus: $20/month
- ChatGPT Team: $25/person/month for 2+ users billed annually; $30/person/month
- ChatGPT Pro: $200/month
- ChatGPT Enterprise: Contact sales for pricing
Features
- Customizable GPTs, like DALL-E, for image generation via GPT-4o integration
- Real-time information from web search
- Upload multiple file types for data analysis
- Access to numerous models, such as GPT‑4o and OpenAI o3 or o4-mini, depending on subscription
Pros & cons of ChatGPT
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Conversation history and personalization with the Memory feature | Memory limit on the free plan |
| Schedule tasks and reminders for workflow automation | The o1 and o3-mini models don’t have access to advanced features, like Voice or custom instructions |
| Supports conversations in over 95 languages | Slower response times and file limitations during peak hours |
| Customize GPTs with files and instructions to improve responses to specific tasks |
Copilot: Best for team collaboration
Our rating: 4.41 out of 5
Copilot is a Microsoft product initially developed as an AI productivity tool integrated within the Microsoft 365 workspace. Like ChatGPT, it utilizes OpenAI’s GPT-4 models, enabling it to generate content effectively. However, Copilot is not only found in productivity apps.
Copilot Chat can be used for conversational interactions, while Copilot Pages is designed to streamline workflows. Additionally, Copilot Studio can be used to deploy AI agents. At the same time, users must purchase a qualifying Microsoft 365 plan before adding a Copilot license.
Why I chose Copilot
I chose Microsoft Copilot as the best AI chatbot for team collaboration because it integrates seamlessly with other Microsoft products. If you have a Microsoft 365 subscription or specific products, you can access some Copilot features, but you will need a license to access all features. However, the most significant benefits of Copilot come from using it with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams, where it serves as a helpful assistant in completing tasks.
Whether you need insights on creating a formula or assistance drafting emails, Copilot is an essential tool for businesses using Microsoft 365. Additionally, each subscription plan offers data governance models that ensure enterprise-grade security. This level of protection is a top priority for team collaboration, as it enables you to safely share information from your workspace without concern that it will be disclosed to others.
Copilot can also be customized with AI agents, making automating tasks and streamlining workflows easier. For example, Copilot connects to your organization’s data, allowing you to customize an agent based on your instructions and infrastructure. These agents can provide customer service assistance, answer frequently asked questions in a workspace, or be deployed within communication channels like a business website.
Pricing
- Microsoft Copilot: Free
- Microsoft Copilot Pro: $20/user/month
- Copilot for Microsoft 365: $31.50/user/month as an add-on to specific Microsoft 365 plans
Visit the Microsoft website for more information about Copilot features across plans.
Features
- Integration with the Microsoft 365 workspace
- Create personalized podcasts from your interests
- Access Copilot across the web and mobile devices
- Task automation with AI agents for writing and prompting
Pros & cons of Copilot
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Use Copilot to draft and summarize content in your workspace | The free plan only offers preferred access to models at off-peak times |
| Generate or analyze code for faster programming and development | Limited subscription tiers in comparison to other chatbots |
| Access to the Designer image creator on the Pro subscription | Requires specific Microsoft plans to access |
Claude: Best for coding tasks
Our rating: 4.37 out of 5
Claude is a generative AI assistant developed by Anthropic, an AI safety and research company dedicated to delivering more accurate and reliable models. The Claude 3 family of models includes Claude Haiku for content generation and customer support, Claude Sonnet for data analytics and model deployment, and Claude Opus for in-depth research and task automation.
Why I chose Claude
As a multifaceted platform, I chose Claude because it is valuable for generating text and enabling users to manage various tasks, including coding and software development. While many AI chatbots assist in editing and generating code, Claude is particularly well-suited for coding tasks due to its Projects and Artifacts features. With Claude Projects, you can collaborate with team members using shared internal knowledge, while Artifacts simplifies reusing and editing code.
Specifically, Claude 3.7 Sonnet is designed for front-end web development and working with code to enhance website design by facilitating more intuitive user interfaces. Currently, Anthropic is also beta testing Claude Code, an innovative coding tool that should help you create and debug code more efficiently. But don’t let the names confuse you; Claude is not the best AI chatbot for more creative writing tasks like generating poetry.
However, if you are primarily interested in research and data-driven tasks, Claude offers multiple subscription plans. The Pro plan benefits individual users, while the Team and Enterprise plans ensure security and reliability for communication and project sharing within larger teams. Claude also integrates with Amazon Bedrock and Google Vertex AI for teams completing software development tasks.
Pricing
- Free: $0
- Pro: $17/month billed annually ($200); $20 if billed monthly
- Team: $25/member/month billed annually; $30/member billed monthly (5-member minimum)
- Max: Starts at $100/month for 5x and $200/month for 20x
- Enterprise: Contact sales for pricing
Features
- Draft complex documents like data visualizations, website graphics, and code
- Share team chats or customer insights for collaboration and brainstorming
- Access Claude on web and mobile devices
- Integrates with Google Workspace for access to email, calendar, and documents
Pros & cons of Claude
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Use Projects and Artifacts for context-based collaboration | Pricing varies between web and mobile subscriptions |
| Integrates with GitHub for easy access to documents and code | Does not support image generation |
| Claude Workbench lets you experiment with APIs |
Gemini: Best for Google Workspace users
Our rating: 4.33 out of 5
Gemini, formerly known as Bard, is Google’s term for its artificial intelligence tools, which come in various forms. Users can access Gemini within most Google Workspace products or Gemini Advanced by choosing an AI Premium Plan. Whether you are interested in using the AI chatbot features or want a virtual assistant to be more productive, Gemini is a top choice in the market.
Why I chose Gemini
For years, Google has dominated the tech space, and it is rare not to have access to a Google email address or search engine. So, even if you haven’t chosen a Google Gemini subscription, you likely have had some experience with Google’s AI features. However, there is more to Gemini than Google search recommendations and pop-ups on Google Docs.
As a multimodal generative AI assistant, Gemini can do everything from content creation to deep research. However, the best part of using Gemini is its integration into Google Workspace. From coding help with Gemini Advanced to meeting notes and translations in Google Meet, individual users and businesses would greatly benefit from exploring how Gemini appears in Google products.
Gemini Advanced can also be personalized by accessing custom or premade Gemini Gems, which provide more nuanced responses to your queries. If you want to explore more AI chatbot offerings, I recommend delving into Google’s AI Studio. This platform gives you access to multiple models and tokens to chat with Gemini or build apps, which benefits software developers and engineers.
Pricing
- Free: Some Gemini features are free with a Google account, and access to Gemini Advanced is included with Google Workspace Business and Enterprise plans.
- Google One AI Premium Plan: $19.99/month
Features
- Integrates with the Google Workspace platform
- Generates meeting notes and summaries
- Produce in-depth research on a specific industry or market
- Provides real-time translation of captions
Pros & cons of Gemini
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Create virtual backgrounds with Gemini in Google Meet | Tends to take longer to respond or generate content than other models |
| Develop custom AI experts with Gemini Gems, like sentiment analyzers and writing editors | Works best with Google products, which can be limiting for some users |
| Generate audio overviews of presentations and documents | Limited access to the image generator in specific countries |
| Allows you to double-check output accuracy with Google Search |
Perplexity: Best for research and planning
Our rating: 4.28 out of 5
Perplexity is an artificial intelligence company that prioritizes AI-powered search. Unlike traditional search engines, Perplexity delivers comprehensive answers to complex questions using multiple sources. Compared to standard LLMs, which use a fixed knowledge base to generate information, Perplexity actively searches the web for real-time information. It also provides citations to users and consistently ranks highly in reasoning tests, making it a go-to platform for high-quality responses.
Why I chose Perplexity
Although I don’t think AI chatbots have achieved the expert status many companies claim, deep research is one of the best ways to effectively utilize AI. As a company that prioritizes search, Perplexity stands out for its features that support research and strategizing. For example, the search companion can be added as a browser extension to provide page summaries and the ability to share what you learn. You can also set Perplexity as your default search engine in Chrome.
With the Deep Research feature, you can ask questions that require detailed insights. By selecting this feature from the dropdown menu, Perplexity will provide a custom report based on your inquiry after cross-referencing multiple sources and web searches. Mobile device users can also access Perplexity assistants, which can help with tasks like writing emails or scheduling appointments.
Pro and Enterprise users can benefit from Perplexity Spaces, which allows easy file sharing with various platforms, including Dropbox and Google Drive. The enterprise plan ensures that your organization’s data within Spaces is excluded from training protocols, which is particularly important when developing research protocols or business strategies. Finally, all plans feature data encryption attributes, such as SOC 2 Type II compliance, which includes regular audits and quality monitoring.
Pricing
- Free plan with unlimited searches
- Pro: $20/month
- Enterprise: $40/seat billed monthly or $400 billed annually
Features
- AI-powered chatbot and search engine
- Conversation history is saved as Threads
- Deep research feature for in-depth analytics
- Syncs files with multiple platforms, like Google Drive, SharePoint, and Dropbox
Pros & cons of Perplexity
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| All plans come with SOC 2 Type II compliance for data security | Limited access to specific models on the free plan |
| Upload files to Perplexity Spaces to query the model based on your knowledge sources | File uploads are limited to 25 MB |
| Search companion provides page summaries and direct queries in a browser | Not as conversational as other chatbots |
| Turn research into aesthetic content with Perplexity Pages |
Factors to consider when choosing an AI chatbot
Although each AI chatbot specializes in specific tasks, you should consider popular chatbot trends and factors before selecting one. For example, while many chatbots offer free subscriptions, choosing an appropriate subscription is essential if you plan to use AI chatbots for work or collaboration. Therefore, the following list highlights some of the key decision-making factors to help you find the best AI chatbot for your needs:
- Budget and business needs: As mentioned above, many AI chatbots offer free plans, but these subscriptions are geared towards individual use. So, if you plan to incorporate AI into your business, you must calculate the cost of multiple subscriptions with team or enterprise features.
- Token vs subscription-based pricing: While most AI chatbots offer monthly or annual subscriptions, many also use a token-based or AI credit model to assess daily limits or charge for usage. Especially if you plan to use APIs with your model, choose an AI chatbot and subscription that can handle your daily usage.
- Data security and privacy: As AI chatbots become more popular, their integration into workplaces and personal use raises important questions about data privacy and cybersecurity. So, if you want to use an AI chatbot, consider the model’s encryption and data governance standards and how well it complies with industry standards.
- Reliability: Although slow computer processing speeds are a thing of the past for many, AI chatbots often pride themselves on providing quick answers and reliable service. However, during peak hours, some companies limit the use of specific models or plans. Hence, consider the amount of “thinking” time required for a chatbot to generate content or parse data, and whether or not this speed changes during peak hours.
- User experience: While most chatbots have a similar interface, if you need assistance with more complex tasks like coding projects or customizing your chatbot, you should choose a platform that makes it easy to upload and edit files.
- Content generation: Conversation and text generation are often the most common uses of AI chatbots, but many of these models can also create other types of media, such as images or videos. Therefore, consider the kind of content you are interested in producing before selecting a subscription.
Breakdown of the best AI chatbots
There are numerous artificial intelligence models to explore within the realm of generative AI, and the best AI chatbots offer a variety of features that are beneficial for both business and personal use. While OpenAI’s ChatGPT still reigns supreme for general use, models like Microsoft Copilot and Anthropic’s Claude excel at managing projects and fostering collaboration in the workspace.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
What is the best completely free AI chatbot?
On this list, the best AI chatbot that is available for free is ChatGPT. As one of the most well-known chatbots on the market, ChatGPT offers the broadest range of features, from image generation to content creation, as well as access to web search and multilingual support. At the same time, there are daily limits to how much you can use the free models.
Who is the most intelligent chatbot?
The intelligence of a chatbot is subjective, as each chatbot is built on AI. However, some chatbots are more intelligent than others regarding specific areas. If you want a chatbot skilled at deep research, then Perplexity is the best for subject matter intelligence, while Anthropic’s Claude is known for its reasoning abilities and chain of thought prompting.
How can I customize a chatbot for my business?
When using an AI chatbot for business, you can upload instructions, integrate business processes, and provide data to customize the tool. For example, if you want to use a chatbot to generate a specific type of document, such as customer emails, many team or enterprise subscriptions allow you to save projects or personal bots tailored to a particular purpose and to collaborate within a workspace.
