# Chat

> “The everyday AI you talk to.”. Ranked by expert consensus and what people use now; affiliate links never change the order.

The assistant that fits best is usually the one closest to where you already work. Gemini draws on Gmail, Docs and Drive, and Microsoft Copilot works inside Word, Excel, Outlook and Teams with Microsoft 365. ChatGPT covers the widest range, from web search to images and voice. Claude reads long files closely and connects to your own tools through MCP. Perplexity answers with sources you can check.

Last checked: 2026-10-06

## 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. **[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
3. **[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
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
6. **[Meta AI](https://suiteintent.com/t/meta-ai?m=GB)**: Meta's AI chatbot. · Best for: Comparing assistants before you commit · Pricing on request
7. **[Mistral Vibe](https://suiteintent.com/t/mistral-vibe?m=GB)**: Mistral's AI assistant, made in France. · Best for: An AI assistant from a European company · Free plan
8. **[Character AI](https://suiteintent.com/t/character-ai?m=GB)**: Chat with AI characters that have their own personality. · Best for: Casual role-play conversations with AI · Pricing on request

## Side by side

| Tool | Price | Ease of use (1-5) | Team size |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| ChatGPT | Pricing on request | 4 | solo, small team, growing team |
| Claude | Free plan | 5 | solo, small team, growing team, large team |
| Google Gemini | Pricing on request | 4 | solo, small team, growing team |
| Perplexity | Pricing on request | 4 | solo, small team, growing team |
| Microsoft Copilot | Pricing on request | 4 | solo, small team, growing team, large team |
| Meta AI | Pricing on request | 4 | solo, small team, growing team |
| Mistral Vibe | Free plan | 4 | solo, small team, growing team |
| Character AI | Pricing on request | 4 | solo, small team, growing 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: 2026-10-06
- 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

### Which assistant should I pick if my business runs on Google or Microsoft?

On Google Workspace, Gemini works with Gmail, Docs and Drive and can draw on your own files. On Microsoft 365, Copilot works inside Word, Excel, Outlook and Teams, where it drafts documents and summarises email and meetings. Copilot is also free on the web, Windows and mobile. Staying in your suite saves copying text back and forth.

### How far do the free versions go?

Claude, Microsoft Copilot and ChatGPT can all be used without paying, within daily limits. Gemini has a free tier for everyday use, with more in Google's paid AI plans. Paid plans mainly add more usage and, for ChatGPT, team workspaces. Use the free versions for a week on your real tasks before choosing one to pay for.

### I need answers I can fact-check. Which one cites sources?

Perplexity searches the web and replies with a short answer plus the sources it used, and every claim links back. You can narrow searches to academic or specific sources and run longer research reports. ChatGPT and Gemini also search the web and run deep research. For questions about your own documents, Claude handles long files well.

### Is it worth paying for two assistants?

Most small businesses get by with one paid assistant and the free tier of another. A common pairing is a general assistant for writing and analysis plus Perplexity for sourced research. If you are still deciding, Meta AI is a second big assistant to compare against ChatGPT at no commitment. Character AI is built for entertainment and role-play, so leave it out of work comparisons.

### What should my team avoid pasting into a chatbot?

Keep out client personal data, passwords, contracts under NDA and anything your clients have not agreed to share. Check whether your plan uses chats for training and switch that off where you can. Team workspaces on paid plans usually give admins more control. Write a one-page rule so everyone on the team knows what is allowed.