After spending the last two years testing AI chatbots extensively, I’ve compiled a list of the best ones available today. Whether you’re just getting started with AI or already rely on it daily, these tools can help you save time and boost productivity.

Since the debut of ChatGPT, AI chatbots have gained massive popularity due to their ability to handle a wide variety of tasks—from coding and email writing to creating art, solving math problems, and generating Excel formulas.

ChatGPT: Best Overall AI Chatbot

ChatGPT, launched in November 2022 by OpenAI, remains a top performer. It handles writing tasks—such as emails, essays, resumes, and lists—with ease. It’s also highly capable in STEM areas, like coding and complex math.

In May 2024, OpenAI rolled out major updates that elevated ChatGPT to a new level. Its latest model, GPT-4o, brings advanced features including web browsing, image analysis, data processing, and file uploads—all of which were previously limited to paid users.

A key improvement is accessibility: you no longer need an account to start chatting with ChatGPT on the web. However, for full functionality, creating a free account is still necessary.

Copilot: Best ChatGPT Alternative

First introduced as Bing Chat in 2023 and later rebranded as Copilot, Microsoft’s AI assistant runs on GPT-4 Turbo, the same model as ChatGPT. Copilot comes with internet browsing, source attribution, image generation, and file upload capabilities.

It also features voice input and a redesigned, user-friendly interface. Copilot is free, available on the web, through an app, and integrated into Bing.

Claude by Anthropic: Best for Privacy

Claude is a privacy-focused chatbot launched in 2023 by Anthropic. It supports a wide range of tasks—coding, writing, math, and more—while committing to not using user conversations for model training unless explicitly authorized.

Its transparency and strong performance make Claude a standout option. A paid version, Claude Pro, offers expanded usage for $20/month.

Perplexity.ai: Best for Search

Perplexity is a web-connected AI chatbot with a strong focus on search and discovery. It offers prompt suggestions, related topics, and detailed answers with source links. Its clean user interface encourages exploration, and it performs well with news and evergreen topics alike.

It’s available for free via web and mobile apps, and it supports models like GPT-4 Turbo and Claude 3 for subscribers.

Jasper: Best for Business and Marketing

Jasper is designed for professionals, especially marketers and content creators. It offers templates for blog posts, video scripts, and ad copy, along with tools for SEO, plagiarism detection, and brand voice alignment.

While there’s no free plan, the Creator plan starts at $49/month. Jasper is ideal for teams or freelancers looking to integrate AI into their business workflows.

You.com: Best for Testing LLMs

You.com functions like a hybrid of a search engine and chatbot. It delivers conversational responses alongside real-time web results. One of its most unique features is the Custom Model Selector, which allows users to toggle between top AI models including GPT-4, Claude 3, Gemini Pro, and more.

This flexibility makes You.com a powerful tool for testing and comparing different LLMs in one place.

Chatsonic by Writesonic: Best for Article Writers

Chatsonic is tailored for writing professionals. It includes tools like Instant Article Writer, Article Rewriter, SEO optimizers, and paragraph generators. Voice dictation and image generation are also built in.

The free version offers limited use (25 generations/day), while paid plans start at $16/month and scale up depending on usage.

Gemini (formerly Google Bard): Best for Google Users

Gemini is Google’s conversational AI that now powers voice interactions across Android and iOS. It can pull information from the web, generate images via Imagen 3, and answer questions in real time.

With Gemini Live, users get a human-like, multi-turn conversation experience. The free tier includes many features, while a premium subscription ($20/month) unlocks extras like expanded storage and integration with Gmail and Docs.

Which AI Chatbot Is the Best?
ChatGPT stands out as the best overall AI chatbot in 2025. Its upgraded GPT-4o model brings top-tier language, reasoning, and multimedia capabilities. On top of that, it’s available for free, making it an excellent resource for students, professionals, and casual users alike.

That said, other AI chatbots—like Copilot, Claude, Perplexity, and You.com—offer strong alternatives depending on your specific needs.