# AI assistants

> “Which AI assistant should I use?”. Ranked by expert consensus and what people use now; affiliate links never change the order.

The assistant that suits you depends mostly on where your work already lives. Gemini draws on Gmail, Docs and Drive, and Copilot works inside Word, Excel and Outlook with Microsoft 365. Claude handles long documents well and connects to your own tools through MCP. ChatGPT covers the widest mix of tasks, from images to voice, and Perplexity answers research questions with sources you can check.

Last checked: 2026-10-01

## Ranking

1. **[ChatGPT](https://suiteintent.com/t/chatgpt?m=GB)**: OpenAI's general-purpose AI assistant. · Best for: Daily writing, research and quick answers · Free plan
2. **[Google Gemini](https://suiteintent.com/t/gemini?m=GB)**: Google's AI assistant. · Best for: People whose work lives in Gmail and Drive · Free plan
3. **[Claude](https://suiteintent.com/t/claude?m=GB)**: Anthropic's AI assistant, with MCP connections. · Best for: Connecting AI to your own tools with MCP · Free plan
4. **[Perplexity](https://suiteintent.com/t/perplexity?m=GB)**: AI search that answers with cited sources. · Best for: Quick research you can fact-check · Free plan
5. **[Microsoft Copilot](https://suiteintent.com/t/microsoft-copilot?m=GB)**: Microsoft's AI assistant, free on web and Windows. · Best for: Offices that run on Microsoft 365 · Free plan

## Side by side

| Tool | Price | Ease of use (1-5) | Team size |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| ChatGPT | Pricing on request | 4 | solo, small team, growing team |
| Google Gemini | Pricing on request | 4 | solo, small team, growing team |
| Claude | Free plan | 5 | solo, small team, growing team, large team |
| Perplexity | Pricing on request | 4 | solo, small team, growing team |
| Microsoft Copilot | Pricing on request | 4 | solo, small team, growing team, large team |

## Why these picks

- Independent reviews: [Zapier](https://zapier.com/blog/best-ai-chatbot/), [ZDNET](https://www.zdnet.com/article/best-ai-chatbot/), [CNET](https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/best-ai-chatbots/), [TechRadar](https://www.techradar.com/best/best-ai-tools) (Last checked: 2026-10-02)
- Prices last checked: 2026-10-01
- Ranked by expert consensus and what people use now; affiliate links never change the order.

## Head to head

- [ChatGPT vs Claude: which helps you prep interviews](https://suiteintent.com/compare/chatgpt-vs-claude)
- [ChatGPT vs Gemini: which AI assistant for a team](https://suiteintent.com/compare/chatgpt-vs-gemini)
- [ChatGPT vs Julius: which to analyse your data](https://suiteintent.com/compare/chatgpt-vs-julius)
- [ChatGPT vs Copilot: for Microsoft 365 users](https://suiteintent.com/compare/chatgpt-vs-microsoft-copilot)
- [ChatGPT vs Mistral Vibe: US giant or French pick](https://suiteintent.com/compare/chatgpt-vs-mistral-vibe)
- [ChatGPT vs Perplexity: assistant or AI search](https://suiteintent.com/compare/chatgpt-vs-perplexity)
- [Claude vs Gemini: careful reader or Google helper](https://suiteintent.com/compare/claude-vs-gemini)
- [Claude vs Perplexity: deep thinker or fast answers](https://suiteintent.com/compare/claude-vs-perplexity)
- [NotebookLM vs Perplexity: your files or the web](https://suiteintent.com/compare/notebooklm-vs-perplexity)
- [Perplexity vs Elicit: web answers or paper reviews](https://suiteintent.com/compare/perplexity-vs-elicit)

## Rules that apply

- [EU AI Act: chatbot and AI content labels](https://suiteintent.com/compliance/eu-ai-act-chatbots): Using a chatbot or AI images on your site in the EU? See what Article 50 of the AI Act asks of you, who must label what, and the dates that apply.

## Questions

### Should I pick the assistant that matches my email and office apps?

Often, yes. Gemini works with Gmail, Docs and Drive, so it can draw on your own files. Copilot works inside Word, Excel, Outlook and Teams once you have a Microsoft 365 subscription, where it summarises email and meetings. If your files sit elsewhere, Claude can reach them through MCP servers in Claude Desktop and Claude Code.

### Can a small business get by on the free versions?

For occasional writing and questions, the free tiers go a long way. ChatGPT and Gemini both cover everyday use for free, and Copilot is free on the web, Windows and mobile. Claude has a free plan to try it. Paid plans mostly add more usage, and ChatGPT adds team workspaces, which matters once several people rely on it daily.

### Is an AI assistant reliable enough for research I share with clients?

Any of these can state something wrong with confidence, so check facts before they reach a client. Perplexity replies with the sources it used and links every claim, so you can verify each one. ChatGPT and Gemini also search the web, and Gemini runs deep research reports. Treat the answer as a draft and the sources as the real evidence.

### Can I paste a long contract or report into the chat?

Yes, and this is where the assistants differ. Claude handles long documents and careful reasoning well, which suits contracts and lengthy reports. ChatGPT analyses files and data, including spreadsheets. Avoid uploading personal data about clients or staff unless your plan and company policy allow it under GDPR.

### Do I need more than one assistant?

Many solo founders settle on one for writing and one for research. A common pairing is ChatGPT or Claude for drafting and Perplexity for sourced answers. If you live in Google or Microsoft apps, the built-in Gemini or Copilot saves copying text between windows. Start with one free tier and add a second only when you hit a clear gap.