ChatGPT has certainly made a name for itself in the AI (artificial intelligence) tools market. After all, it’s one of the most intelligent chatbots to date. However, even the best tools have their limitations. Sometimes, ChatGPT can experience an outage, leaving you without access. Or, you may desire a tool that performs more specifically to the tasks you work on. Fortunately, many ChatGPT alternatives are available that work well in general or specialized areas.
1. Microsoft Copilot
Microsoft Copilot is worth considering because it’s one of the top ChatGPT alternatives to date. This AI tool acts as an assistant within the Microsoft apps that you most likely already use, such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint. It can help you generate text, analyze data and even create presentations in one place.
This means Copilot can be an excellent productivity tool. While at work, you can have it draft emails and suggest the next best sentence. This is essential in streamlining your workflow, helping you work smarter and faster. So, if productivity boosts are high on your list, Copilot is for you.
Pros:
- Works seamlessly with Microsoft 365 apps.
- Provides immediate suggestions and insights.
- Automates routine tasks, allowing more room for creativity and strategy.
Cons:
- Limited to Microsoft 365 apps.
- Requires a Microsoft 365 subscription.
2. Google Gemini
Google Gemini is a good option for those needing access to a large information database for answers and strategizing. Formerly known as Google Bard, this AI model has improved to offer various capabilities. These include:
- Natural language processing
- Image generation
- Code creation
One thing that makes Gemini such a great alternative to ChatGPT is its quality index. Gemini has an index rating of 94, making it an LLM (large language model) of high accuracy and overall performance.
Beyond its quality, Gemini easily integrates with Google Workspace and the search engine’s tools. It will also replace Google Assistant, which could make Gemini the ultimate collaborator if you’re all about Google tech and tools.
Pros:
- Performs well in various tasks.
- Highly accurate and sophisticated outputs.
- The basic version is free.
Cons:
- Could be more than necessary for those working on straightforward tasks.
- May have limitations since it’s still in early development.
3. Claude
Claude was developed by former senior leadership members at OpenAI and founders of Anthropic, Dario and Daniela Amodei. Named after Claude Shannon — the father of information theory — this AI model is perfect for those concerned with the ethical implications of AI. The AI tool was created with user safety and privacy in mind. It also stands out because it was built to be honest, thoughtful and harmless.
Anthropic’s mission was to create an AI that aligns with human values. Therefore, it makes a good option for those looking for an AI model that performs safely and satisfactorily in ethical considerations.
Claude incorporates a family of three models — Haiku, Sonnet and Opus. Each has the ability to handle tasks from simple to complex. It’s also easy to use and can offer assistance in various areas, including writing, problem-solving and coding.
Pros:
- Is strong in safety and privacy.
- Handles larger inputs with ease.
- User-friendly for various tasks.
Cons:
- Still in the early stages of development.
- May present some limitations compared to other AI models.
4. Jasper AI
Jasper has quickly become a favorite among marketers, writers and content creators. This AI model was made specifically for those who work in content marketing. Therefore, it is helpful in creating blog posts, social media content, emails and ad copy.
With Jasper, you can generate content that feels natural and authentic. It excels in understanding context and tone, so you can command it to write in the style needed, and it will adapt. The output will match the qualities you seek, helping you produce polished content more quickly.
Another advantage of Jasper is its library of templates and prompts. These tools make it easy for users to get started on their projects. Plus, they will save more time and mental load in the long run. Jasper may be the perfect fit if you regularly create large amounts of content.
However, it may lack technical or analytical tasks. Its focus is on content creation, so users in fields like data analysis or coding may find it less useful. Additionally, its lowest-cost plan is pricey, starting at $49 a month. It could be a worthwhile investment for those who work in copywriting, but it may be something to consider before signing up.
Pros:
- Excellent copywriting features.
- A library of writing templates.
- Adapts well to different writing styles.
- Plagiarism and grammar checker.
Cons
- Limited in technical tasks.
- Requires a subscription to use.
- Subscription is costly.
5. Notion AI
If you’re familiar with Notion, you know how much this tool is a savior for productivity and organization. But now Notion has an AI model integrated into its system, and it’s helping teams save time in their workflows.
Some of the tasks it can perform include:
- Brainstorming and drafting a document.
- Organizing a knowledge base.
- Summarizing notes.
- Suggesting action items based on your entries.
Many users of Notion AI have found that this tool saves hours of work, promoting more productivity than ever before. Users can also ask questions or for updates, and it will provide answers when prompted. It’s a serious game-changer for anyone wanting to boost their task
completion.
While Notion AI is great at improving productivity, others might find a better solution outside the platform. Notion AI is limited to tasks within its system, so users may be looking for a more stand-alone AI tool. However, Notion will continue to expand the AI model’s capabilities, helping those in project management and team updates.
Pros:
- Works directly within the Notion platform.
- Performs multiple functions, assisting with numerous tasks.
- Provides intelligent suggestions.
Cons:
- Works best for Notion users.
- Not as effective outside of Notion.
- Accessing Notion AI’s full features may require a paid subscription.
6. Perplexity
Perplexity is another ChatGPT alternative for those who need an AI-powered search assistant. Instead of using traditional search engines, Perplexity gives you the immediate answers you look for by surfing the web. Perplexity is like a search engine of its own, making it valuable for research, information retrieval and more.
It can understand and process complex questions, providing accurate explanations and context. This makes it especially useful for designers and marketers working on a campaign. If you need in-depth information from academic sources, Perplexity will provide it. You also get control over what sources it gives you, depending on what you need.
As a result, you get faster results and save time from sifting through multiple links and sources. Additionally, this AI model will provide you with the same task performance as ChatGPT. It can generate images or write emails, but its main focus is search. You can also choose which AI model to use, including GPT-4o, GPT-4 Turbo, Claude 3 Opus, Claude 3 Sonnet, and Sonar 32k.
Pros:
- Advanced query understanding.
- Quick and organized responses.
- Customized sourcing at your fingertips.
Cons:
- Primarily focused on search.
- May require learning for optimal use.
Finding the Right ChatGPT Alternatives
With so many AI tools on the market, finding the right ChatGPT alternatives can be challenging. Many AI platforms are specific to different tasks, while others allow for general usage. However, you can find the one that works best for you. Consider what you need an AI tool for and sift through the ones that will meet your needs.
About The Author
Eleanor Hecks is the Editor-in-Chief of Designerly Magazine, an online publication dedicated to providing in-depth content from the design and marketing industries. When she's not designing or writing code, you can find her exploring the outdoors with her husband and dog in their RV, burning calories at a local Zumba class, or curled up with a good book with her cats Gem and Cali.
You can find more of Eleanor's work at www.eleanorhecks.com.