Top ChatGPT alternatives
Since its initial launch in late 2022, ChatGPT has effectively taken the world by storm, surpassing one million users in just five days. The platform allows you to talk with an AI-powered chatbot to generate text and speed up content creation. Yet despite its massive success, anyone who has used ChatGPT will tell you that it’s certainly not without its limitations.
After spending years testing ChatGPT and several other AI-powered tools, I’ve realized that it isn’t the best fit for everyone. Some users need a more budget-friendly option, while many businesses are looking for niche tools specific to their industry or project goals — whether that’s AI chatbots or a way to create and optimize code.
Regardless of your reason for seeking out ChatGPT alternatives, I have good news: There are plenty of different options out there. Through my hands-on experience with AI tools, I’ve tested and compared a wide range to help you find the right solution for your needs. Let’s take a look at 20 of the best.
The best ChatGPT alternatives at a glance
Tool | Best for | Key features | Pricing |
---|---|---|---|
Jotform AI Agents | Building shareable AI agents | Form optimization, form content creation | Free version; paid plans start at $34 per month |
ClickUp Brain | Project management and team collaboration | Task automation, AI-powered suggestions | Free trial; paid plan is $7 per user per month |
Google Gemini | General AI tasks | Integration with Google tools, real-time access to information | Free version; paid plans start at $19 per user per month |
Microsoft Copilot | Enhancing productivity within Microsoft 365 apps | Integrates with Microsoft 365 apps, offers recommendations to users | Free trial; paid plans start at $20 per user per month |
Claude | Content generation | Customizable writing styles | Free version; paid plans start at $20 per user per month |
Perplexity AI | Research and fact-checking | Provides sources with each response | Free version; paid plans start at $5 per user per month |
Jasper AI | AI-powered copywriting | Tone customization, lots of integrations | Free trial; paid plans start at $39 per user per month |
Meta AI | Conversational AI within Meta platforms | Summarize comments, assist with searches | Free |
Chatsonic | Real-time content generation | Real-time data access, voice command | Free version; paid plans start at $16 per user per month |
Writesonic | Content creation for marketing | AI-generated blogs, multi-language support | Free trial; paid plans start at $16 per month |
Semrush ContentShake AI | Streamlining content marketing strategies | Content suggestions, search engine optimization (SEO) tools | Free trial; paid plan is $60 per month |
OpenAI Playground | Experimenting with AI models | Access to various AI models | Charges based on usage volume via a token system |
Character.ai | Engaging in creative chats | Interactive storytelling | Free version; paid plan is $9.99 per month |
Elicit | Reviewing academic literature | Data extraction, research review | Free version; paid plans start at $12 per month |
Surfer AI | Search engine optimization | SEO and keyword recommendations, analytics tools | Paid plans start at $79 per month |
Socratic | Monitoring code quality | Predicts software project outcomes | Paid plans start at $99 per seat per month |
Amazon CodeWhisperer | Assisting developers with code suggestions | Custom code suggestions | Free version; contact Amazon CodeWhisperer for information on custom pricing |
YouChat AI | Providing AI-powered search | Conversational responses, user-friendly interface | Free version; paid plans start at $15 per month |
Undetectable.ai | Creating human-like text | Customizable tones and styles, plagiarism detector | Free trial; paid plans start at $14.99 |
GitHub Copilot | Teams seeking a dynamic coding platform | Version control, collaboration tools | Free version; paid plans start at $10 per month |
What to look for in a ChatGPT alternative
ChatGPT and a few of its top contemporaries are billed as versatile, do-it-all large language models (LLMs). When I started exploring different ChatGPT alternatives, though, I quickly realized that not all conversational AI tools are created equal. Some excel in pumping out creative content in seconds, whereas others are better suited for research, coding, or business automation.
With that in mind, here are the factors you need to think about when comparing ChatGPT alternatives:
- Functionality: Determine what the AI tool is designed to do.
- Pricing: Consider your budget and the size of your team.
- Ease of use: Make sure your team members will understand and enjoy using the platform.
- Integration capabilities: Ensure the AI tool integrates into your existing workflow.
- Industry-specific applications: Note that some AI tools are built for specific sectors.
To help you make the best choice for your business, I’ve included a mix of options in this list. You’ll find free ChatGPT alternatives, generative AI for businesses, and even a few fun platforms that you probably didn’t know existed.
The 20 best ChatGPT alternatives
The best ChatGPT alternatives that made my list are as follows:
1. Jotform AI Agents
Jotform AI Agents allow you to transform forms into dynamic, conversational experiences that promote engagement. These agents are trained with the data you provide and can ask questions and answer customer inquiries. With Jotform’s AI-powered tools, you can collect information more intuitively and efficiently.
Here’s how it works:
- Start from scratch, use a template, or start with an existing form.
- Train the AI with documents or URLs.
- Customize it using the Agent Builder (no coding skills required).
Jotform speeds up the process with its ever-expanding AI Agents Directory. Here, you’ll find useful AI agents that you can deploy in no time. For example, the Hospice Care Coordinator Agent helps relatives fill out necessary forms and expedites the administrative process when dealing with the sensitive health needs of their loved ones.
The directory also includes a Real Estate Consultant that can help clients find their dream home or office. Or there’s the School Administrator Agent, which provides timely communication to create stronger relationships between parents, students, and educators.
- Developer: Jotform
- Best for: Building shareable AI agents
- Key features: AI-driven form responses, form optimization, customizable templates, integrations with various platforms
- Pros: Streamlines data collection, enhances user engagement
- Cons: Free plan limited to five agents
- Plans/pricing: Free version (up to five agents and 100 monthly conversations with 10,000 monthly sessions and 30 minutes of voice calls); paid plans start at $34 per month, and a custom enterprise-level plan is available (unlimited agents, conversations, sessions, and 1,000 minutes of voice calls)
- G2 rating: 4.7/5
2. ClickUp Brain
ClickUp Brain integrates AI into project management, delivering task automation and intelligent suggestions to your entire team. The best part is that it costs just $7 per user per month. It’s not a bad way to spend a few bucks.
- Developer: ClickUp
- Best for: Project management and team collaboration
- Key features: Task automation, AI-powered suggestions, integrations with various tools
- Pros: Enhances productivity, centralizes project data, offers timely suggestions and feedback
- Cons: Potential learning curve for new users
- Plans/pricing: Free trial available; the all-inclusive paid plan costs $7 per month (access to all of ClickUp Brain’s capabilities, including text summarization)
- G2 rating: 4.7/5
3. Google Gemini
Gemini, an AI model developed by Google DeepMind, is the search engine titan’s answer to ChatGPT. Designed to assist with creative and productive tasks, your team can use it to plan, write, solve problems, and more.
- Developer: Google
- Best for: General AI tasks with real-time data access
- Key features: Multimodal capabilities, integration with Google services, real-time information retrieval
- Pros: Access to up-to-date information, seamless integration with Google Workspace
- Cons: Privacy concerns, limited availability in certain regions
- Plans/pricing: Free version; paid plans include Standard at $19 per user per month (billed annually, includes code completion capabilities) and Enterprise at $45 per user per month (billed annually, includes advanced coding tools)
- G2 rating: 4.4/5
4. Microsoft Copilot
Available for Microsoft 365 users, Microsoft Copilot is an integrated AI assistant that offers competent suggestions and automation features to help your team get more done. Its major downside, however, is that it costs $20 per user per month, which can significantly increase your software subscription costs if you have a large team.
- Developer: Microsoft
- Best for: Enhancing productivity within Microsoft 365 applications
- Key features: Integration with Office suite, AI-driven assistance in applications like Word and Excel, real-time data analysis
- Pros: Streamlines workflows within Microsoft apps, speeds up document creation
- Cons: Requires a Microsoft 365 subscription, may feel simple and limited for experienced AI users
- Plans/pricing: Free trial; paid plans start at $20 per user per month
- G2 rating: 4.3/5
5. Claude
Claude emphasizes ethical, non-biased responses. The platform works similarly to ChatGPT, but as a long-time user I’ve noticed that Claude tends to do a better job of producing natural responses. Still, you’ll need to perform proper reviews and fact-checking.
- Developer: Anthropic
- Best for: Content generation
- Key features: Context-aware conversations, customizable writing styles
- Pros: Produces natural, human-like responses, focuses on minimizing bias
- Cons: May require some trial and error for specific tasks
- Plans/pricing: Free version; paid plans include Pro at $20 per user per month (access to more models, document organization tools, and new features) and Team at $25 per month per person (additional usage capacity), and a custom enterprise-level plan is available (additional usage capacity and an expanded context window)
- G2 rating: 4.5/5
6. Perplexity AI
I use Perplexity AI to deliver concise answers to all sorts of queries. It cites reliable sources, which can be very useful when I want to find an eye-catching stat for a blog or I’m working on a big research project.
- Developer: Perplexity AI
- Best for: Research and fact-checking with citations
- Key features: Provides reliable sources with each response, user-friendly interface, accurate data retrieval
- Pros: Transparent sourcing, efficient information retrieval
- Cons: Limited creative content generation capabilities, responses to complex queries can be short and lack depth
- Plans/pricing: Free version; paid plans include Pro at $5 per user per month (access to multiple open-source LLMs) and Enterprise Pro at $40 per user per month (unlimited access to Pro Search, customized team workspaces, and enhanced security), and a custom enterprise-level plan is available
- G2 rating: 4.6/5
7. Jasper AI
I’ve noticed that Jasper AI can accelerate content creation for individuals and businesses alike. Your team can use it to complete writing tasks, and the platform will integrate with many other software tools — allowing you to customize the tone of content to align with your brand’s values.
- Developer: Jasper
- Best for: AI-powered copywriting and content creation
- Key features: AI-driven content generation, tone customization, extensive integrations
- Pros: Makes content creation more efficient, produces SEO-friendly content
- Cons: May require human editing, subscription can be costly for small businesses
- Plans/pricing: Free trial; paid plans include Creator at $39 per user per month (access to basic tools, such as Jasper Chat) and Pro at $59 per user per month (additional brand voices, knowledge assets, and editing tools), and a custom enterprise-level plan is available
- G2 rating: 4.7/5
8. Meta AI
Meta AI provides Facebook users with conversational experiences. I was particularly impressed with how it can summarize the sentiment of comment sections on posts and help users find what they’re looking for when carrying out searches.
- Developer: Meta
- Best for: Conversational AI within Meta platforms
- Key features: Integration with Meta platforms, AI-driven chatbots
- Pros: Supports multiple languages, improves the user experience
- Cons: Privacy concerns, limited to Meta’s ecosystem
- Plans/pricing: Free
- G2 rating: N/A
9. Chatsonic
Combining chatbot and image-generation capabilities, Chatsonic is a versatile content-creation tool. However, it’s also prone to some of the same flaws as ChatGPT. As such, you’ll want to always verify sources and “facts” that are included in its responses.
- Developer: Writesonic
- Best for: Real-time content generation
- Key features: Real-time data access, voice commands, image generation
- Pros: Combines chatbot and image-generation capabilities
- Cons: Templates are not robust, can create fake “facts”
- Plans/pricing: Free version (basic content creation tools); paid plans start at $16 per user per month (billed annually, includes advanced capabilities like brand voice and style customization), and a custom enterprise-level plan is available/li>
- G2 rating: 4/5
10. Writesonic
Writesonic and Chatsonic are developed by the same company, but Writesonic is the more well-rounded AI-powered writing assistant. It includes additional subscription tiers and advanced tools to assist with all your marketing and blogging projects.
- Developer: Writesonic
- Best for: Content creation for marketing and blogging
- Key features: AI-generated articles and blogs, SEO tools, multi-language support
- Pros: Speeds up content creation, user-friendly
- Cons: May require editing for tone and accuracy, limited creative-writing capabilities
- Plans/pricing: Free trial (one article); paid plans include Individual at $16 per month (billed annually, enough credits to produce approximately five articles) and Standard at $79 per month (billed annually, includes 1,000 credits) with the option to pay $199 or $399 per month when billed annually for additional credits, and a custom enterprise-level plan is available
- G2 rating: 4.7/5
11. Semrush ContentShake AI
I’ve always thought of Semrush as one of the best SEO platforms out there. Its developers have added ContentShake AI to the mix, which helps teams build better content marketing strategies faster. I’ve found ContentShake AI to be particularly useful for brainstorming ideas for an upcoming campaign or for tapping into SEO recommendations.
- Developer: Semrush
- Best for: Streamlining content marketing strategies
- Key features: Content idea generation, SEO recommendations, collaboration tools
- Pros: Integrates with SEO tools, promotes better collaboration for marketing teams
- Cons: Can be complex for beginners, higher price point
- Plans/pricing: Free trial; paid plan is $60 per month (includes access to all tools and features)
- G2 rating: 4.5/5
12. OpenAI Playground
Technically, OpenAI Playground is sort of a mashup of different ChatGPT models that I and many others have used. While it’s not necessarily a ChatGPT alternative, the platform can still prove useful for experimenting with different generative AI capabilities.
- Developer: OpenAI
- Best for: Experimenting with AI models and prototyping
- Key features: Access to various AI models, customizable parameters
- Pros: Flexible, allows users to explore AI capabilities
- Cons: Usage-based pricing can become costly for high-volume content production
- Plans/pricing: Based on usage, chosen models, content types (i.e., text or audio), and usage frequency, with pricing for one million input tokens ranging anywhere from $2.50 to $200
- G2 rating: 4.6/5
13. Character.ai
Character.ai enables users to create and interact with customizable AI personalities. While the platform is more for personal applications rather than business use cases, its responses are fun and engaging nevertheless. As such, you could use its capabilities to inspire your next ad campaign or content strategy.
- Developer: Character.ai
- Best for: Engaging in creative and personalized conversations
- Key features: Customizable AI personalities, interactive storytelling
- Pros: Highly engaging and entertaining
- Cons: Limited practical applications
- Plans/pricing: Free version; paid plan costs $9.99 per month (unlimited chats)
- G2 rating: N/A
14. Elicit
Elicit assists researchers by automating the literature review process. The platform extracts data and summarizes the content. Elicit offers several subscription tiers, allowing you to adapt based on the size of your team.
- Developer: Ought
- Best for: Reviewing academic literature and conducting data analysis
- Key features: Automated literature reviews, data extraction, research question formulation
- Pros: Streamlines the research process, provides evidence-based answers
- Cons: Limited to academic and research contexts
- Plans/pricing: Free version (data extraction from 10 PDFs per month); paid plans include Plus at $12 per month or $120 per year (300 PDFs per year) and Pro at $49 per month or $499 per year (1,200 data extractions per year), and a custom enterprise-level plan is available (up to 1,800 data extractions per year)
- G2 rating: N/A
15. Surfer AI
I’m a long-time user of Surfer and the AI offering is a more recent arrival to their stack of features. Surfer AI focuses on creating and optimizing SEO content and provides AI-guided content recommendations. When you’re part of a team that creates content in Surfer, you receive a comprehensive list of keyword suggestions as well as where you should use them (i.e., body copy or headers) and how many times to do so. The Surfer score adjusts in real time, so you know when you’ve optimized your content to the fullest.
- Developer: Surfer
- Best for: Search engine optimization
- Key features: AI-driven content generation, SEO and keyword recommendations, content structure analysis
- Pros: Promotes organic visibility, integrates SEO best practices into content
- Cons: May require SEO knowledge, subscription can be costly for small businesses
- Plans/pricing: Paid plans include Essential at $79 per month (billed annually, create up to 360 articles per year) and Scale at $175 per month (billed annually, create up to 1,200 articles per year), and a custom enterprise-level plan is available
- G2 rating: 4.8/5
16. Socratic
Socratic uses advanced analytics to assess code quality and predict project outcomes. I’ve talked to founders who say that if their team is working on software projects, Socratic helps them identify obstacles and stay on schedule.
- Developer: Socratic
- Best for: Monitoring code quality and engineering management
- Key features: Predicts software project outcomes, tracks projects in real time
- Pros: Helps avoid missed deadlines, improves project outcomes
- Cons: Niche use case, expensive
- Plans/pricing: Paid plans include Essential at $99 per seat per month (includes organization and forecasting tools), Advanced at $159 per seat per month (includes productivity-benchmarking and coding-efficiency tools), and Premium at $239 per seat per month (includes AI scenario planning and automation tools), and a custom enterprise-level plan is available
- G2 rating: N/A
17. Amazon CodeWhisperer
Amazon CodeWhisperer supports multiple programming languages and provides real-time code suggestions. It can complete code as well.
- Developer: Amazon
- Best for: Assisting developers with code suggestions and completions
- Key features: Real-time code suggestions, contextual code completions
- Pros: Enhances coding efficiency, reduces development time
- Cons: Suggestions must be carefully reviewed
- Plans/pricing: Free version; contact Amazon CodeWhisperer for information on custom pricing
- G2 rating: 4.7/5
18. YouChat AI
YouChat AI combines AI-powered search with conversational capabilities, giving users up-to-date information in a digestible format. It has several different tiers, making it a good option for individuals and teams.
- Developer: You.com
- Best for: Providing AI-powered search and conversational experiences
- Key features: Integrated search capabilities, conversational responses
- Pros: Combines search and chat functions, provides up-to-date information
- Cons: Some responses can be vague, limited customization options
- Plans/pricing: Free version (allows users to conduct limited basic queries); paid plans include Pro at $15 per month (billed annually, includes access to multiple AI models) and Team at $24 per user per month (billed annually, unlimited queries), and a custom enterprise-level plan is available
- G2 rating: 4.4/5
19. Undetectable.ai
One of the recurring issues I’ve noticed with ChatGPT content is that many introductions look or sound almost identical. Undetectable.ai generates human-like text that sounds more natural. Its goal is to avoid AI detection, although that raises some ethical concerns about trying to pass off AI content as human.
- Developer: Undetectable.ai
- Best for: Generating human-like text
- Key features: AI text generation, customizable writing styles, plagiarism detection
- Pros: Produces natural-sounding text, useful for content creators
- Cons: Potential ethical concerns
- Plans/pricing: Free trial; paid plans based on number of words used, monthly plans start at $14.99 and volume discounts are available if you purchase additional words or pay annually
- G2 rating: 2.5/5
20. GitHub Copilot
GitHub Copilot is an AI-powered code-completion tool that helps developers by providing real-time suggestions. It’s a great add-on for teams who are already familiar with the GitHub ecosystem.
- Developer: GitHub
- Best for: Teams seeking a robust code-hosting platform
- Key features: Version control, collaboration tools, integrated development
- Pros: Extensive integration, community engagement
- Cons: Complex for beginners
- Plans/pricing: Free version (up to 50 chat requests and 2,000 completions); paid plans include Pro at $10 per month (unlimited access), Business at $19 per user per month (unlimited access for teams and additional tools), and Enterprise at $39 per user per month (fully customized Copilot experience)
- G2 rating: 4.5/5
How to choose the right AI tools for your needs
Embracing AI for businesses can help your company take the next leap in its growth journey. However, it’s important to choose the right combination of tools to ensure you can achieve your efficiency and productivity goals. When exploring the best ChatGPT alternatives, focus on the unique needs of your organization and what you hope to accomplish with AI.
If you want to transform your forms into dynamic, conversational experiences with zero coding knowledge needed, Jotform AI Agents may be the perfect fit for your brand. Try it for free today and level up the way you serve your customers.
Photo by Daniel Thomas on Unsplash
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