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The best AI chatbots: ChatGPT and other interesting alternatives to try
Whether unlocking your phone through face recognition or telling Alexa to play a song, artificial intelligence has filtered into our everyday lives. Now, you can harness the power of AI to do your writing, too. At your command, AI chatbots can write that paper you have been dreading to start, write code, compose emails, or even pass your MBA exam.
Also: ChatGPT productivity hacks: Five ways to use chatbots to make your life easier
Although ChatGPT has made quite the buzz, its popularity has made it unreliable for everyday use since it's often at capacity. The good thing is there are plenty of AI chatbots that are just as capable, and available whenever you need them. We put together a list of the best AI chatbots and AI writers on the market and detailed everything you need to know before choosing your next writing assistant.
- Access to the internet
- Links back to sources
- Uses OpenAI's most advanced LLM
- Limited preview
- Query cap
Bing ChatGPT features:
- OpenAI's most advanced LLM, GPT-4
- Has access to the internet
- Works like a search engine with information on current events
- Price: Free
In early February, Microsoft unveiled a new AI-improved Bing, which runs on GPT-4, the newest version of OpenAI's language model systems which is more capable and reliable. Bing's chatbot is currently in a limited preview while Microsoft tests it with the public, but ZDNET was able to get early access.
Also: I tried Bing's AI chatbot, and it solved my biggest problems with ChatGPT
From testing the chatbot, ZDNET found that it solved two major issues with ChatGPT including having access to current events and linking back to the sources it got its answer from. The chatbot is free and easy to use, making it a convenient alternative to a regular search engine. Although Bing's chatbot isn't available to the public yet, there is a waitlist you can join.
The only way you can access GPT-4 for free is by using Bing Chat. If Bing Chat's access to the entirety of the internet -- in addition to ChatGPT -- wasn't enough to sway you to get on the waitlist, access to OpenAI's latest model just might.
Also: The new Bing waitlist is long. Here's how to get earlier access
- Writing skills
- STEM knowledge
- Conversational
- Not always available
- Not connected to the internet
ChatGPT features:
- Uses OpenAI's GPT-3.5 or GPT-4 (if subscribed)
- Can do text generation, solve math problems, and code
- Offers conversation capabilities
- Price: Completely free to the public right now
ChatGPT is a conversational AI chatbot by OpenAI that can produce text for you based on any prompt you input, generating emails, essays, poems, raps, grocery lists, letters, and much more.
ChatGPT was released in November and because of its massive success, it became the blueprint for many of chatbots to enter the scene, including Bing Chat.
Also: ChatGPT vs. Bing Chat: Which AI chatbot should you use?
In addition to writing for you, ChatGPT can chat with you about simple or complex topics such as "What are colors?" or "What is the meaning of life?" ChatGPT is also proficient in STEM and can write and debug code, and even solve complex math equations. The best part is that the service is completely free to the public right now because it is still in its research and feedback-collection phase.
The big downside is that the chatbot is often at capacity due to its immense popularity. However, ChatGPT Plus gives users general access even during peak times when the free version is at capacity.
Another major perk of ChatGPT Plus is that it gives users access to GPT-4, OpenAI's most advanced language model -- which is significantly more capable than previous models. The subscription cost for ChatGPT Plus is $20 per month.
Also: How to use ChatGPT
- 50 different writing templates
- Copyediting features
- Plagiarism checker
- Focuses on written text
- Steep cost
Jasper features:
- Uses OpenAI's GPT-3
- Can summarize texts and generate paragraphs and product descriptions
- Checks for plagiarism and grammar
- Price: Starts at $24 per month
Like ChatGPT, Jasper also uses natural language processing to generate human-like responses. Jasper even uses the same language model as ChatGPT, OpenAI's GPT-3, which was created by the AI research company behind ChatGPT.
With Jasper, you can input a prompt for what you want to be written and it will write it for you, just like ChatGPT would. The major difference with Jasper is that it has an extensive amount of tools to produce better copy. Jasper can check for grammar and plagiarism and write in over 50 different templates including, blog posts, Twitter threads, video scripts, and more.
If you need to generate written copy every day for your business, Jasper is the tool for you. However, at a $24-a-month cost, it is an investment.
- Readily available
- Free
- Source Citing
- UI lacks aesthetic appeal
- In beta stage
YouChat features:
- Uses OpenAI's GPT-3
- Lists sources for the text it generates
- It even uses Google sources (unlike most other AI chatbots)
- Price: Free
YouChat also uses OpenAI's GPT-3, like ChatGPT and Jasper. With Jasper, you can input a prompt for what you want to be written and it will write it for you, just like ChatGPT would for free. The chatbot outputs an answer to anything you input including math, coding, translating, and writing prompts. A huge pro for this chatbot is that, because it lacks popularity, you can hop on at any time and ask away.
Another major pro is that this chatbot cites sources from Google, which ChatGPT does not because it doesn't have internet access. For example, if you ask YouChat "What is soda?", it will produce a conversational text response and cite sources from Google specifying where it pulled its information from. The chatbot is just as functional, without annoying capacity blocks, and has no cost.
- Up-to-date
- Variety of use cases
- Free trial
- Subscription cost
- Can't do math
Chatsonic features:
- Supported by Google
- Powered by GPT-4
- Aware of current events (ChatGPT stops at 2021)
- Offers voice dictation, AI image generation, and more
- Price: The monthly cost starts at $13 per month
Chatsonic is a dependable AI chatbot, especially If you need an AI chatbot that is up-to-date on current events. Because Chatsonic is supported by Google, it is aware of current news and can provide you answers and stories that relate to it, which ChatGPT can't do since its database doesn't go past 2021.
Chatsonic also includes footnotes with links to the sources so you can verify the information it is feeding out to you, another vast contrast from ChatGPT. Another major perk is that Chatsonic is powered by GPT-4, OpenAI's latest and most advanced model.
Other cool features include voice dictation, which lets you speak prompts as you would with Alexa, and AI image generation. If you want to try it, you get a convenient free trial for 2,500 words with no credit card required. The monthly cost starts at $13 per month but goes all the way up to $1749 per month depending on the number of words needed.
Google Bard
Best AI chatbot for writing assistance
- Free
- Access to Google
- Good text editing skills
- No sources
- Can't help much with code
Google Bard features:
- From Google
- Has a "Google it" feature
- Generates clear text quickly
- Price: Free
Bard is Google's experimental, conversational, AI chat service. Over a month after it was announced, Google opened up the waitlist for its chatbot on Mar. 21, 2023.
Unlike most of the chatbots on this list, Google does not use a large language model in the GPT series but instead uses a lightweight version of LaMDA, a model made by Google.
Also: What is Google Bard? Here's everything you need to know
ZDNET got access to the bot and upon testing, it saw that the chatbot's abilities to code and function as a search engine were not the chatbot's forte. However, the chatbot performed well as a text assistant that can edit text and write professional documents, including resumes, cover letters, professional summaries, and more.
Another major perk is that Google Bard is free to use, so if you need resume or essay help in a pinch, it can be a good resource. To get access, you have to join a waitlist. You can find step-by-step instructions here.
- Free
- Educational
- Easy to use
- Doesn't write text
- No desktop version
Socratic features:
- From Google
- Type in any question to generate a response
- Has fun graphics
- Supports scanning worksheets to get a specially curated answer
- Price: Free
If you want your child to also take advantage of AI to lighten their workload, but still have some limits, Socratic is for you. With Socratic, children can type in any question they may have about what they are learning in school and Socratic will generate a conversational, human-like response with fun unique graphics to help break down the concept.
The app, available on the App Store and the Google App Store, also has a feature that lets your kid scan their worksheet to get a specially curated answer. The app does have some limitations; for example, it will not just write an essay or story when prompted. However, this could be a positive thing because it curbs your child's temptation to get a chatbot, like ChatGPT, to write their essay for them.
What is the best AI chatbot?
The best overall AI chatbot is ChatGPT due to its exceptional performance, versatility, and free availability. It uses OpenAI's cutting-edge GPT-3 language model, making it highly proficient in various language tasks, including writing, summarization, translation, and conversation. Moreover, it can solve complex math problems and write and debug code, making it a valuable tool for those in STEM fields.
Another advantage of ChatGPT is its availability to the public at no cost. Despite its immense popularity, ChatGPT is still in its research and feedback-collection phase, making it an incredible resource for students, writers, and professionals who need a reliable and free AI chatbot. Although there are occasional capacity blocks, OpenAI is working on releasing a professional version that will be quicker and always accessible at a monthly cost.
Best AI chatbot | Price | Language model | Current events capability | Key features |
Bing Chat | Free | OpenAI's GPT-4 | Up-to-date on current events; has access to the internet | Works like a search engine with information on current events. |
ChatGPT | Completely free, though there is a $20-a-month Plus premium plan | OpenAI's 3.5 and GPT-4 (via Plus) | Limited current events capability; not connected to the internet | Can generate text, solve math problems, and do coding. Offers conversational capabilities. |
Jasper | Starts at $24/month | OpenAI's GPT-3 | Focuses on written text; has copyediting features and plagiarism checker | Can summarize texts and generate paragraphs and product descriptions. Has over 50 different writing templates including blog posts, Twitter threads, and video scripts. |
YouChat | Free | OpenAI's GPT-3 | Sources information from Google | Outputs an answer to anything you input including math, coding, translating, and writing prompts. Lists sources for the text it generates. |
Chatsonic | Starts at $12/month | Supported by Google | Up-to-date on current events | Offers voice dictation, AI image generation, and more. |
Google Bard | Free | From Google | Indexes Google for responses | Can provide relevant and useful writing assistance |
Socratic | Free | From Google | Kid-friendly; can help with homework | Children can type in any question and Socratic will generate a conversational, human-like response with fun unique graphics |
Which AI chatbot is right for you?
While ChatGPT is our personal favorite, your use case may be hyper-specific or have certain demands. If you need a constant, reliable AI chatbot, other alternatives might be better suited for you. If you just want an AI chatbot that produces clean copy, for example, then Jasper is for you. If you want to play around with an AI chatbot that isn't always at capacity, YouChat might be the best option.
Also: OpenAI's ChatGPT is scary good at my job, but it can't replace me (yet)
Lastly, if there is a child in your life, Socratic might be worth checking out. See our breakdown below:
If you want… | Then choose this AI chatbot… |
The best AI chatbot overall, an AI chatbot that works like a search engine with up-to-date information on current events, links back to sources, and is free and easy to use. | Bing Chat |
The blueprint for chatbots, encompassing a wide range of skills beyond writing, including coding, conversation, and math equations, and is available to the public at no cost. | ChatGPT |
An AI chatbot that is the best choice for businesses and marketers, with more than 50 different writing templates, copyediting features, and a plagiarism checker, making it an investment worth the monthly cost. | Jasper |
A ChatGPT alternative that is readily available, always accessible, sources information from Google, and lacks cost, making it ideal for those who need a ChatGPT-like experience without annoying capacity blocks. | YouChat |
An AI chatbot that is the best choice for news content creators, with its ability to offer up-to-date news and stories related to current events, and its additional features, including voice dictation, AI image generation, and more. | Chatsonic |
An AI chatbot that can give you free, specific writing advice and generate text for essays, resumes, cover letters, and more. | Google Bard |
The best AI chatbot for kids and students, offering educational, fun graphics. It has a unique scanning worksheet feature to generate curated answers, making it a useful tool to help children understand concepts they are learning in school. | Socratic by Google |
How did we choose these AI chatbots?
In order to curate the list of best AI chatbots and AI writers, we looked at the capabilities of each individual program including the individual uses each program would excel at. Other factors we looked at were reliability, availability, and cost. Once we gathered all of this data and tried them out for ourselves, we identified which AI chatbot would be best for the needs of different individuals and included them in the list.
What is an AI chatbot?
An AI chatbot (also called AI writer) refers to a type of artificial intelligence-powered program that is capable of generating written content from a user's input prompt. AI chatbots are capable of writing anything from a rap song to an essay upon a user's request. The extent of what each chatbot is specifically able to write about depends on its individual capabilities including whether it is connected to a search engine or not.
How do AI chatbots work?
AI chatbots use language models to train the AI to produce human-like responses. Some are connected to the web and that is how they have up-to-date information, while others depend solely on the information they are trained with.
How much do AI chatbots cost?
AI chatbot programs vary in cost with some being entirely free and others costing as much as $600 a month. ChatGPT and YouChat are entirely free to use since both are still in their testing phases. Services like ChatSonic can cost up to $650 a month for 2,000,000 words and 15 seats.
What is the difference between an AI chatbot and an AI writer?
The main difference between an AI chatbot and an AI writer is the type of output they generate and their primary function.
In the past, an AI writer was used specifically to generate written content, such as articles, stories, or poetry, based on a given prompt or input. An AI writer's output is in the form of written text that mimics human-like language and structure. On the other hand, an AI chatbot is designed to conduct real-time conversations with users in text or voice-based interactions. The primary function of an AI chatbot is to answer questions, provide recommendations, or even perform simple tasks, and its output is in the form of text-based conversations.
While the terms AI chatbot and AI writer are now used interchangeably by some, the original distinction was that an AI writer was used for generating written content, while an AI chatbot was used for conversational purposes. However, with the introduction of more advanced AI technology, such as ChatGPT, the line between the two has become increasingly blurred. Some AI chatbots are now capable of generating text-based responses that mimic human-like language and structure, similar to an AI writer.
Are there alternative AI chatbots worth considering?
Yes! Despite ChatGPT's immense popularity, there are some major downsides to the AI chatbot, including that it is not always available. If you want to give the world of AI chatbots and AI writers a try, there are plenty of other options to consider. We deep-dived into five alternatives above, and some more below.
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