ChatGPT is the largest name in AI chatbots, but it is far from the only name in town, and depending on what you are trying to accomplish, it might not even be the best option for you. If you want something more tailored or in line with your personality (or both), there are quite a few ChatGPT alternatives to check out.
I have been using ChatGPT and writing about it since it launched—I am also a decade-long writer on AI developments. I have a job now learning where AI is good, and where it is not. That has also meant lots of time testing ChatGPT alternatives, so let us dive in.
What is ChatGPT?
ChatGPT is a natural language processing tool powered by AI that was developed by OpenAI, a company that specializes in AI and research. ChatGPT does this by allowing you to interact with the chatbot in different ways, including having conversations that seem human-like.
What defines the best ChatGPT alternative?
Over the past year, chatbots have become more homogenized. Most of my favourites can search the web, interact with documents and images, and have some form of reasoning model for tackling more difficult tasks. If they do not have those capabilities, they must be exceptional in some other way.
So, to be a great ChatGPT alternative, an app will need to check these two boxes:
Do something better than ChatGPT: ChatGPT remains the best general-purpose chatbot, so for an AI chatbot to be included on this list, it must excel in a specific area.
Be easy to use: The development of AI tools is happening quickly. Some of the best AI tools require you to run your own AI models, either on your computer or on a remote cloud-computing platform. While these tools offer flexibility, they are also characterized by an increase in difficulty compared to signing up for ChatGPT. To be on this list, an app must be easy to sign up for and start chatting away. Some have more customization and a steeper learning curve, but none would be identifiable as needing technical skill.
Be Available for Everyone: Similarly, some very publicly praised AI tools are only available in closed betas or have a very long waitlist. I was only considering apps that you can sign up for today and begin using.
Work Reliably: Some of the AI tools I tested were consistently down or throwing multiple errors. To make this list, the chatbots had to work reliably so that when you need to use them, you can count on them.
Why should you even bother looking for an alternative to ChatGPT?
One of the biggest benefits of looking at ChatGPT alternatives is that you will often find more features, which gives you more flexibility to cover many different use cases. There are a few other reasons to begin your hunt for a ChatGPT alternative, like the ones listed below, in addition to being at capacity or down.
Unable to create an image: You cannot create a unique image to accompany your article on ChatGPT. It cannot create new images from text or enhance anything. AI Image generator tools are becoming more popular these days.
No integration options: The only way to use ChatGPT is to copy and paste, switching between a bunch of tabs since there are no integrations. This can be very time-consuming and could be a distraction as it causes ChatGPT to function less effectively than alternatives.
At capacity or down: They have started to restrict the number of generations since ChatGPT has been crashing lately. There is no clear number, but there is an error that reads.
10 Best ChatGPT Alternatives to Try in 2025
1. Gemini
Gemini from Google is a multimodal large language model that can read and generate text, code, and images with its new Imagen 3 model. Gemini is backed by Google’s own LLM family, developed by Google DeepMind.
Gemini works well for organizing information and generating dialogue to sound more human. I have always thought it was better than ChatGPT for content writing.
Gemini is a great AI Writing Assistant for writing, research, and editing. It uses advanced natural language processing (NLP) to generate high-quality content, making it useful for bloggers and marketers alike.
Key Features :
- Content Generation: provides useful structures and maintains fine context retention, so ideal for blogs, articles, and website copy.
- Excellent Method for Long-Form Content: especially if writing storytelling pieces, detailed articles, and marketing text needing good flow.
- Real Strengths In Research Tasks: these models can handle research tasks extensively and provide more opinionated results, so good for editorial writing.
- Multimodal Input Capabilities: can deal with text, images, and references; is a great tool for creative and technical projects alike.
- Current Information: contains up-to-date information and can even cite sources on demand – ideal for fact-based type content.
Pros:
- Google Gemini’s models are among the best available.
- Can be integrated with Google’s apps.
Cons:
- Lacks polish and features
- It can sometimes come out with odd bugs
Pricing: The free version of Gemini will be available to all those with a Google account.
2. Copilot
Microsoft Copilot is an AI-powered assistant that is built to increase productivity in Microsoft products. We’ve used it for a variety of tasks, and it shines when it comes to simplifying workflows for document creation, coding, and data analysis.
Copilot is best in Microsoft Edge. It appears in the sidebar, and it even has additional features that you can use while you are browsing the web, and you can ask it questions related to the page you are viewing.
It’s not that ChatGPT can’t do the same things in terms of outputs; it just takes a ton of context switching when you use it.
Key Features:
- Smart Coding Assistance: Copilot can make suggestions for WordPress code snippets, auto-complete functions, and even create full code blocks.
- File Analysis & Insights: Users can upload files for summaries, pull data, or code review, which is useful for both content creators and developers.
- Deep Integration with Microsoft’s Tools: Copilot works primarily inside Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams, so the discoverability to manage is key for everyday work.
- Personalised Assistance: It uses Microsoft Graph data to provide personalised suggestions about the way a user works.
- Seamless Coding: Built into Visual Studio Code, it provides helpful code suggestions and code completions for developers.
Pros:
- Same models as ChatGPT
- Integrations across all of Microsoft’s apps
Cons:
- Compared to ChatGPT, it is a little behind in the of features
- There may be times when the new developments on the platform can make the user experience a little unpredictable and inconsistent
Pricing: The base plan comes free with a Microsoft account.
3. Claude
Claude, developed by Anthropic, is an AI tool designed for safe, ethical, and effective helping. It prioritizes user privacy and values-based content creation, making it unique among AI options.
Claude has tons of the same features as ChatGPT, like Projects, which allows you to add project knowledge that Claude will leverage in any chats in which you are discussing that project. Claude also pioneered the ability to code small apps that run inside the chatbot itself (Claude calls them Artifacts). Important to mention, Anthropic developed the Model Context Protocol, a protocol that eases AI apps communicating with other software.
Key Features:
- Large Data Handling: Claude does a great job of handling large datasets, which makes it well-suited to things like data analysis and complex reporting.
- Code Optimization: Claude is capable of simplifying complex loops and optimizing code to its optimal performance. This tool is crucial for developers.
- Fluid Writing Styles: We have found Claude 3.5 Sonnet particularly impressive when trying to write in specific tones, styles, and emotional cues within tasks like writing copy.
- Ethical AI Approach: Claude takes privacy and ethical AI into account in its design – this is important for industries that work with sensitive data.
- Focused Capabilities: With no internet access and no image generation like ChatGPT does, Claude is focused strictly on tasks that require text and does so very accurately.
Pros:
- Professional and powerful
- Plain old nice to use
Cons:
- Seems to always be a step or two behind ChatGPT in features and abilities
Pricing:
- Free
- Claude Pro is $20/month.
4. Meta AI
Meta AI, powered by Llama 3, is Meta’s all-in-one AI assistant designed with multi-functionality. It integrates objectively into the Meta ecosystem, which includes Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp; however, text is usable on all three platforms and is a great all-in-one option for most casual social media users.
Meta AI is built for social integration. It has creative functionalities through all Meta platforms or integrated apps, including WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram. I can edit photos, recognize objects in pictures, and make goofy captions using this free alternative to ChatGPT.
The AI makes photo editing in chat or identifying things in images super easy. Everything in Meta’s interconnected and interlinked apps makes things easy, from everyday social to daily creativity.
Key Features:
- Visual Content Generation: By utilizing the ‘Imagine’ feature, Meta AI is able to produce visuals for blog entries, social media postings, and even video slides.
- GIF Creator: Using the ‘Imagine Animate’ feature allows you to create custom GIFs right in their ecosystem.
- Text Creation: It can create detailed and captivating text for posts, comments, and captions.
- Data Analysis: Utilizes relatively well in analyzing data and summarizing information for reports and insights.
- Integration: Can be operated right from the Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp platforms, allowing content creation in the ecosystem.
Pros:
- Open-source allows for customization and transparency.
- Incorporates Meta’s social media platforms
Cons:
- Some advanced editing features may not function properly on more complex images.
- Available in limited languages and regions, limiting broader usage
Pricing: Free version available.
Suggested read: AI Tools For Marketing
5. YouChat
You.com is a search engine that has recently launched YouChat, yet another conversational AI model. As with many generic bots, it does the same things and is like ChatGPT. The AI that powers YouChat allows for human-like conversation through artificial intelligence and natural language processing.
YouChat accepts general questions, translates, summarizes, suggests, codes, and emails, but it offers mediocre solutions because it is relatively new. YouChat also provides real-time search with a number of AI models, so it is a very flexible option to use for all research and content generation.
Key Features:
- Real-Time Search Capabilities: Provides up-to-date information sourced from the web, making it perfect for fact-based content and all news-related research.
- Multiple AI Model Capabilities: Users have the option to switch between multiple ChatGPT models, including ChatGPT 4o, Claude, Llama, and Gemini.
- Source Citations: Provides multiple sources to cite, creating transparency, and increased trust and accuracy for research-based activities.
- Structured Queries: Designed with structured queries in mind, which will have a focus on accuracy and facts; however, it will go into details.
- Content Versatility: Great performance for creative writing and technical content, including code generation.
Pros:
- Receive real-time browser results directly, producing accurate and up-to-date responses.
- Able to integrate relevant sources and citations into their responses
Cons:
- Web browsing may slow down a response in comparison to sufficiently capable AI models.
- At times, it loses depth or creativity when pursuing complex and nuanced discussions
Pricing:
- Free Version
- Pro – $15 monthly
- Team – $25 monthly
- Enterprise – Contact for Pricing
6. Perplexity
Perplexity is a research assistant powered by AI and built to provide trustworthy information with citations. It acts as an advanced search engine, summarizing the content from several sources to provide you with valid and current information.
Perplexity will usually provide you with more sources than ChatGPT, and it even lets you tell it which sources to use. You can tell it to search all of the internet, just academic papers, or social-type sites like Reddit, depending on what you think best fits your query.
If your primary goal is having an AI chatbot to assist with in-depth research provided on complicated topics, Perplexity is a good candidate. It does all of the things you expect from ChatGPT, like answer questions and write emails, but it works best as a research tool.
Key Features:
- Research-Driven Content: Find reliable, source-cited information that you can use for your research and professional work.
- Live Content Summary: Think of it as a smart search engine, providing summary results from a variety of sources.
- Multiple AI Models Combined: We use GPT-4, Claude 2.1, and Gemini Pro for accuracy in your search.
- Code Snippet Generation: Delivers reliable code samples, but there may be less of the deep contextual understanding that ChatGPT offers.
- Professional Use Case Oriented: Especially valuable for academic research, technical writing, and professional analysis.
Pros:
- Includes web search and cites sources, which is great for credible work and attribution
- Searches from many online forums: I have seen results from Reddit, collecting relevant information
Cons:
- Not a generalized-purpose chatbot AI, so it is less suited for supporting soft queries that involve emotional needs, casual chat, or idea brainstorming.
- Not well adapted to content writing; in my experience, I would use it to get information and then go to another chatbot.
Pricing: A free plan with basic features is available from Perplexity.
7. Jasper
Jasper is a collaborative AI writing tool for content creators, marketers, and companies. It is integrated with a number of AIs, using OpenAI’s GPT, Google’s models, and its proprietary tools to produce great and optimized content.
It is an AI content platform that will enable you and your team to overcome creative blocks to creating great, unique content, ten times over. Jasper is powered by the latest AI technology. Jasper enables you to be able to get content that is 100 percent unique and not plagiarized with relative ease. Templates already written will also be provided for a number of categories.
Key Features:
- Marketing-Focused Content Creation: Specific use case for marketing copy, including blog posts, ad copy, and product descriptions.
- SEO Optimization: Out-of-the-box integration with tools like Surfer SEO allows for increased keyword optimization and higher search engine optimization results.
- Templated for All Content: It has plenty of instantly pre-built templates for each content type, so you can generate a draft faster.
- Plagiarism Checker: Built-in tools to ensure content originality, while massively reducing the chances of duplicated content.
- Optimized for Multilingual Content-Creation: Able to generate content in 30+ languages for effective global marketing campaigns.
Pros:
- Capturing your brand voice allows for the generated copy to have a tone preference adjustment.
- Allows you to quickly create great amounts of marketing-based content using our pre-created templates.
Cons:
- NO real-time SEO or competitor data to assist you with ranking
- There is no free tier, resulting in a more expensive alternative for individuals
- The written output could occasionally sound generic
Pricing: The Creator plan with one seat is charged $49/month.
8. Chatsonic
With its use of GPT-4, it offers more options than ChatGPT and additional features for content creation, research, and even social media management. Chatsonic almost feels like communicating with a friend, not a machine.
It is one of the free alternatives to ChatGPT that provides integrations with multiple platforms, which allows you to easily add. AI chatbots for your projects and applications. Overall, if you want a conversational AI tool that also offers voice response, Chatsonic is a great option.
Key Features:
- Voice Audio: Can support basic interactions and content generation through voice audio.
- Multimedia: Able to support a variety of different media, such as .pdf, images, and audio files, which can help in dozens of content-related functions.
- Google search: Can do a live search for information related to context, fact-checking, or research work.
- AI Personalities: Users can leverage different styles and personalities of writing to accomplish a desired outcome.
- Prompt Store: A library of commonly used prompts is built to expedite content generation.
Pros:
- Live access to the web allows for information exchange in real-time and provides context in the output.
- Users can customize prompts, which can shift conversations depending on user intent or pathway.
Cons:
- Voice Audio sometimes needs configuration or integration.
- AI chat responses can be a little off-topic if the prompts are not specific enough.
Pricing: Free version available.
Suggested read: AI Tools for Business
9. Character AI
Character AI provides interactive conversations with personalized characters powered by artificial intelligence. Users can chat with fictional characters, historical characters, and characters inspired by celebrities who probably would have been more “authentic” versions of themselves, engaging with and reacting to users.
I’ve had a lot of fun with Character.AI – including role-playing and interactive storytelling. With the free version of Character.AI, I can make interesting characters who can communicate with a variety of levels of dialogue, from funny jokes to meaningful philosophical ideas. It’s great for writers who want to brainstorm, but also for anyone who wants to have fun with a creative conversation.
Key Features:
- Custom Character Creation: Users will be able to create custom AI personas that have specific voices, specific personalities, and specific types of conversations.
- Multiple Interaction Modes: Quick Mode can be used for the user to set up easy or basic setups quickly, and advanced modes allow the user to train the defined personality using training examples from chat.
- Character Training: Users can train their AI characters even further with prior conversations, which can help improve the personalization.
- Voice Customization: Users can give their characters voices that help provide immersiveness.
- Public & Private Sharing: User-created characters can be shared publicly with the community or privately.
Pros:
- Build and customize unique characters for conversation
- Take part in role-playing sessions with elements that produce immersive storytelling
- Expect gradual improvements in character responses as the system learns continuously from user interactions.
Cons:
- Some characters may restrict the personality quality of the persona, resulting in less engaging conversations.
- Greater emphasis on user creativity may be required to stimulate more dynamic conversations.
Pricing:
- Free plan: Available
- Premium: $9.99 per user per month.
10. Copy.ai
Copy.ai is an AI-assisted writing assistant for generating content, especially related to marketing and sales, and social media copy. The application uses natural language processing as well as deep learning models to deliver well-written, quality content efficiently.
I worked with Copy.ai on a number of use cases, such as sentiment analysis, landing page copywriting, and social media caption writing, and I always found the software to be quite effective, especially when it came to coming up with original ideas for marketing campaigns.
Key Features:
- Prompt Improvement: The “Improve” option assists in refining and narrowing prompts to allow for improvements in the quality of content proposals.
- Automated Workflows: Allows users to create multiple pieces of content at the same time, returning time to users on batch content creation.
- Brand Voice: Gives a brand voice option that helps marketers remain consistent in all their content.
- Template Library: Users receive access to over 100 content-type templates that are 100% customizable for blog post content, ads, product descriptions, and much more!
- Best for Marketing Content: Created and best for producing marketing and sales copy, making it the best option for promotional copy.
Pros:
- Integrate keyword research and SEO insights at the very beginning of content creation.
- Will sculpt content suggestions based on best best-performing competitors
- Easily outline new SEO centred articles quickly/develop structured outlines at speed.
Cons:
- Relies heavily upon SEO forecasts, which may therefore not align creatively with content goals
- It may feel overwhelming for beginners, particularly if SEO is new to them
Pricing: Free plan available
Suggested read: AI Prompt Generators
Conclusion
In the end, your decision as to whether or not to use a specific AI would depend on what you want to accomplish with it. Not all AIs will fit all the circumstances. Each of the ChatGPT alternatives discussed above will be continually updated, so you may want to keep tabs on their latest functionalities and use them to see if they ultimately meet your needs. Before you decide to commit to using one, be sure to try the free versions and compare their functionalities while working on real-life tasks.
FAQs
1. Who is the creator of ChatGPT?
ChatGPT is based on an artificial intelligence research lab called OpenAI, which owns GPT-3. ChatGPT is currently experiencing increased demand and is sometimes running at capacity. But don’t panic if you have recently seen an error of ‘ChatGPT available seconds,’ or if the service is down.
2. Is ChatGPT free?
ChatGPT offers a basic free version that can be used.
3. Why look for a ChatGPT alternative?
ChatGPT is probably the most well-known AI in the space; however, it is certainly not the best in certain use cases. Every ChatGPT alternative is good for something different, and each one offers different features based on your needs.
4. How did you come up with this list of ChatGPT alternatives?
I started using AI chatbots on Day One and am still testing new tools and gauging their performance regularly. This review is based on my personal and extensive experience using each of these AI apps.
