Chat & Assistants
The best Microsoft Copilot alternatives
Microsoft Copilot is one of the best-known tools in Chat & Assistants, but it is not the right fit for everyone. Prices, features and supported languages differ, so here are 5 alternatives worth comparing, with what each one does best.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Pricing | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| ChatGPT | Freemium | Everyday questions · Drafting and rewriting |
| Gemini | Freemium | Google Workspace users · Quick research |
| Claude | Freemium | Long reports and contracts · Writing with nuance |
| Perplexity | Freemium | Research · Fact-finding |
| Meta AI | Free | Quick help inside WhatsApp · Casual questions |
1ChatGPT
ChatGPTGeneral assistant for writing, analysis, images and voice.FreemiumOpenAI's chat assistant. It handles drafting, Q&A, file analysis, image creation and voice conversations in one app, with custom GPTs for specialised tasks.
Best for
- Everyday questions
- Drafting and rewriting
- Analysing files
Why choose it
- Very broad feature set
- Large ecosystem of custom GPTs
Our take: The safest all-round pick if you only want one AI assistant. Upgrade only once you regularly hit the free limits.
2Gemini
GeminiGoogle's assistant, connected to Search and Workspace.FreemiumChat assistant from Google that connects to Gmail, Docs and Drive, with strong multimodal input for images and video.
Best for
- Google Workspace users
- Quick research
- Understanding images
Why choose it
- Tight Google integration
- Large context window
Our take: Best for people who live in Google's apps. If you don't, compare it with ChatGPT and Claude on your own tasks before paying.
3Claude
ClaudeAssistant built for long documents, writing and code.FreemiumAnthropic's assistant. Strong at reading long files, careful writing, coding and multi-step work, with shareable artifacts for documents and small apps.
Best for
- Long reports and contracts
- Writing with nuance
- Coding help
Why choose it
- Handles very long context well
- Natural writing style
Our take: A strong choice for writing, research on long documents and coding. Many people use it alongside ChatGPT rather than instead of it.
4Perplexity
PerplexityAnswer engine with sources for every claim.FreemiumSearches the web and writes answers with citations, plus deeper research modes.
Best for
- Research
- Fact-finding
Why choose it
- Cites sources
- Up-to-date answers
Our take: The best everyday replacement for web search when you want an answer, not ten links.
5Meta AI
Meta AIFree assistant inside WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger and on the web.FreeMeta's assistant, built on its Llama models and available in WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, Messenger, Ray-Ban Meta glasses and on the web.
Best for
- Quick help inside WhatsApp
- Casual questions
- Image creation for fun
Why choose it
- Free and already in apps you use
- Image generation included
Our take: The easiest free assistant if you already live in WhatsApp or Instagram.
How to choose
Start with the job you need done most often, then test two or three options on the same real task. Check the free plan limits, the languages each tool supports and whether it works with the apps you already use.
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