Matthew Widdop
Matty is a Digital SEO Executive at Intelligency, helping our clients to improve their digital performance. Matty is currently studying for his Level 3 Multi-Channel Marketer apprenticeship and has completed a Sport Journalism Degree at the University of Huddersfield.
The emergence of AI technology in recent years has seen the rise of numerous different AI chatbots with varying degrees of popularity. These chatbots differ significantly in terms of research, writing, coding and productivity. In this article, we’ll run through these chatbots, discussing their pros and cons so you can decide which chatbot is the best for your needs.
ChatGPT
ChatGPT, made by OpenAI, is currently the most popular chatbot being used and is a strong general-purpose assistant, though perhaps not as specialised as some of the other AI chatbots. ChatGPT can use the web to research in real time and also has strong coding and data analysis tools.
However, just like all AI chatbots, given their infancy, ChatGPT has its drawbacks. It can still produce inaccurate information, and some of its more advanced capabilities require paid plans to access.
Claude
Claude is rapidly rising in popularity as one of the most popular chatbots. Claude is generally considered to be the best chatbot for coding capabilities and is used by many software developers to aid workflows. Similarly to ChatGPT, Claude also has strong capabilities when it comes to writing and analysing/ proofreading documents.
Claude is, however, less impactful than some competitors such as ChatGPT and Perplexity when it comes to web research, as this isn’t central to the experience like it is with Perplexity.
Google Gemini
Gemini has some distinct advantages compared to other AI chatbots, due to it being part of Google’s ecosystem, which dominates online search. If your work already revolves around Gmail, Drive, Docs and other Google services. This also gives Google the advantage of being able to perform real-time deep research.
If you don’t typically use Google products and use Microsoft products more readily, such as Office and Outlook, Gemini’s big advantage disappears.
Perplexity
Perplexity stands out from other AI chatbots because of its focus on search and research. Rather than simply generating an answer, it searches the web for relevant information and provides citations that allow you to check the original sources. This makes it particularly useful for research, fact-finding and questions where up-to-date information is important.
However, Perplexity is more search-focused than some of its competitors. While it can still help with writing and other everyday AI tasks, users looking primarily for creative writing, coding, or a broader general-purpose assistant may find alternatives such as ChatGPT or Claude more suitable.
Microsoft Copilot
Much like Gemini for Google, Microsoft Copilot is particularly useful for businesses and professionals who already work with Microsoft products. Its integration with Microsoft 365 means it can assist with tasks across applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Teams, making it a practical AI assistant for everyday workplace productivity.
The main drawback is that much of Copilot’s appeal comes from these Microsoft integrations. If you aren’t heavily invested in the Microsoft ecosystem, other AI chatbots may offer greater flexibility for general-purpose use.
Ultimately, the best AI chatbot depends on what you want to use it for. ChatGPT is a strong all-round option with a wide range of capabilities, while Claude stands out for writing and working with large amounts of information. Gemini is particularly useful for those already using Google’s ecosystem, whereas Microsoft Copilot makes sense for businesses and professionals who regularly use Microsoft 365. For research and finding information online, Perplexity offers a search-focused approach with clear access to its sources.
As AI chatbots continue to develop, the differences between them are becoming less about which one is simply the best and more about which one fits your individual needs and existing workflow. Since most of these platforms offer free versions, it is worth trying a few before deciding which chatbot works best for you.
