In May 2024, OpenAI supercharged the free version of ChatGPT, addressing its major drawbacks and propelling it to the forefront of AI chatbots on the market. This update has positioned ChatGPT as the leading choice currently available. Read on to explore why it excels and how it compares against alternatives like Copilot, You.com, Perplexity, and others.

Top AI Chatbots of 2024

ChatGPT Best AI chatbot overall

Pros & Cons Pros:

• Strong writing capabilities
• Proficient in STEM topics
• Natural conversational skills

Cons:

• Limited to GPT-4o
• Drops free users to GPT-3.5 during peak usage

ChatGPT, introduced by OpenAI in November 2022, has gained widespread acclaim for its versatile functionality. It excels in generating text for various purposes like composing emails, essays, and coding tasks such as debugging and solving complex math problems.

Initially overshadowed by Copilot due to limitations like lack of internet access and a January 2022 knowledge cutoff, ChatGPT took a giant leap forward in May 2024. OpenAI's enhancements included integrating the advanced LLM GPT-4o, enabling features like web browsing, data analysis, and file uploads, previously available only in the ChatGPT Plus subscription tier, now accessible to free users.

Also: OpenAI just gave free ChatGPT users browsing, data analysis, and more

Getting started with ChatGPT is now more accessible as OpenAI eliminated the need for mandatory login, allowing users to start chatting instantly on the website. Advanced features, however, require a simple sign-in process, making it user-friendly for both casual and power users.

Key Features:

• Uses OpenAI's GPT-4o or GPT-3.5 as backup
• Capable of text generation, math problem solving, and coding assistance
• Strong conversational AI capabilities
• Free to use

Microsoft Copilot Best ChatGPT alternative

Pros & Cons Pros:

• Internet access for real-time information
• Provides source links
• Runs on OpenAI's LLM

Cons:

• Tied to Bing search engine
• Conversation limitations

Microsoft introduced Copilot (formerly Bing Chat) in February 2023, powered by OpenAI's GPT-4 Turbo. It mirrors ChatGPT's intelligence, albeit with slight differences such as lacking ChatGPT's multimodal capabilities denoted by the "o" in GPT-4o, allowing text, audio, image, and video inputs, and outputs.

Also: What is Copilot (formerly Bing Chat)? Here's everything you need to know

Copilot previously encompassed many features recently added to ChatGPT's free version, including current events updates, source attribution, internet browsing, image and document uploads, and image generation. As a free tool, it's accessible via standalone website and Bing, with a dedicated app available.

Key Features:

• Powered by OpenAI's GPT-4 Turbo
• Internet access for real-time information retrieval
• Functions akin to a search engine
• Free to use

You.com Best AI chatbot for LLM testing

Pros & Cons Pros:

• Offers a wide range of AI models including GPT-4 and GPT-4 Turbo
• Provides real-time web results
• Custom Model Selector for advanced user preferences

Cons:

• Subscription required for GPT-4 access
• Variable response quality

You.com, previously known as YouChat, operates similarly to a search engine, allowing users to query any topic for real-time web results alongside conversational responses. It stands out with its Custom Model Selector, granting access to various advanced AI models like OpenAI's GPT-4 and GPT-4 Turbo, Anthropic's Claude series, Google's Gemini Pro, and more.

Also: YouPro lets me access every popular premium AI chatbot for $20/month - but there's a catch

While You.com provides robust technical assistance and a diverse AI model selection, its free version offers limited access to GPT-4, with the full suite available through YouPro subscription at $20/month. This flexibility makes it ideal for users needing specific AI capabilities or testing different LLMs.

Key Features:

• Offers GPT-4 with subscription
• Provides web-based sources for generated text
• Free basic version available

Perplexity.ai Best AI chatbot for search

Pros & Cons Pros:

• Access to internet and current events
• Simple UI for easy navigation
• Provides prompt suggestions for engaging conversations

Cons:

• Paid subscription required for GPT-4 access
• Some irrelevant suggestions

Perplexity.ai excels as a free AI chatbot integrated with internet access, delivering real-time information and current event updates. It boasts a user-friendly interface where users can initiate queries effortlessly, supported by prompt suggestions and related topic prompts to stimulate interaction and learning.

Also: 5 reasons why I prefer Perplexity over every other AI chatbot

Designed with a focus on accessibility and usability, Perplexity.ai facilitates exploration of diverse topics with extensive prompt suggestions and informative responses. It supports both casual learning and in-depth research, making it a versatile tool for users seeking efficient information retrieval and engagement.

Key Features:

• Utilizes OpenAI's GPT-3.5 and GPT-4 for subscribers
• Access to internet resources and current events
• Promotes interactive learning and discovery

This comprehensive overview highlights the strengths and specializations of each top AI chatbot, catering to various user needs from comprehensive AI capabilities and technical assistance to specialized functionalities like image interpretation and streamlined search functionalities.

Jasper Best AI chatbot for businesses and marketers

Pros & Cons Pros:

• Offers 50+ writing templates
• Includes copyediting and plagiarism checker tools
• Supports SEO optimization and brand voice customization

Cons:

• Subscription required for access
• Higher cost compared to some competitors

Jasper is tailored for businesses and marketers seeking an AI-powered solution to streamline content creation and optimization. Unlike free alternatives, Jasper requires a subscription to access its suite of tools, starting at $39 per month for the Creator plan. This investment provides access to extensive writing templates, including blog posts, video scripts, and product descriptions.

Also: The best AI search engines of 2024: Google, Perplexity, and more

Designed for efficiency, Jasper integrates advanced features such as grammar and plagiarism checks, ensuring content quality and originality. It also supports SEO insights, enabling businesses to enhance online visibility and engagement through tailored content creation.

Key Features:

• Utilizes various LLMs, including GPT-4
• Generates content summaries and paragraphs
• Checks for grammar and plagiarism
• Offers customizable brand voice

Adding Jasper to the list provides a comprehensive view of AI chatbots catering to diverse user needs, from general-purpose assistance and technical support to specialized business applications like content creation and marketing optimization.