AI Chatbots & Assistants
Short answer
AI chatbots and assistants are general tools you talk to: ChatGPT, Claude, Grok, Pi and Character.AI, plus DeepSeek's chat app. For most work, the choice is between ChatGPT and Claude, with Gemini for Google Workspace users. Claude's plans are verified: Free, Pro at $20 a month and Max from $100. We could not confirm ChatGPT or Grok prices in October 2026, so they are not shown. Character.AI and Pi are built for conversation and companionship rather than work.
What this category covers: Assistants you talk to. For downloadable models see Models.
AI Chatbots & Assistants compared
| Tool | What it does | Pricing model | Status | Last checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ChatGPT | OpenAI's AI assistant for writing, analysis, coding, image creation and voice, on web, desktop and mobile. | Free plan available | Active | 2 June 2026 |
| Claude | Anthropic's AI assistant for writing, analysis and coding, on web, desktop and mobile, with Claude Code for developers. | Free plan available | Active | 5 October 2026 |
| Grok | xAI's AI assistant, available in X and its own apps, with access to real-time posts on X. | Free plan available | Active | 2 June 2026 |
| Character.AI | A chat app for talking with user-created AI characters for entertainment and role-play. | Free plan available | Active | 2 June 2026 |
| DeepSeek | Chinese AI lab DeepSeek's open-weight language models, released under the MIT licence, plus a chat app and API. | Open weights | Active | 5 October 2026 |
| Pi | Inflection AI's conversational assistant designed for supportive, personal chat. | Free plan available | Active | 2 June 2026 |
All tools in this category
ChatGPT
OpenAI's AI assistant for writing, analysis, coding, image creation and voice, on web, desktop and mobile.
Claude
Anthropic's AI assistant for writing, analysis and coding, on web, desktop and mobile, with Claude Code for developers.
Grok
xAI's AI assistant, available in X and its own apps, with access to real-time posts on X.
Character.AI
A chat app for talking with user-created AI characters for entertainment and role-play.
DeepSeek
Chinese AI lab DeepSeek's open-weight language models, released under the MIT licence, plus a chat app and API.
Pi
Inflection AI's conversational assistant designed for supportive, personal chat.
How to choose
Evidence: Editorial assessmentDecide what you will use it for
Work assistants (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini) are judged on writing quality, document handling, coding and tool integrations. Companion apps (Character.AI, Pi) are judged on personality and memory. Grok is distinctive for real-time access to posts on X. Pick the group before comparing features.
Compare the plan you would actually buy
Free plans differ in which model you get and how much you can use it. Paid plans around $20 a month are common, with higher tiers for heavy use. Claude Pro is $20 a month ($17 billed annually) and Max starts at $100. Check whether the plan includes coding tools (Claude Code is included in all paid Claude plans) and team features.
Check limits, not just models
Context window, file upload limits and daily usage caps decide whether a tool handles your documents. Claude lists context windows of up to 1M tokens depending on the model. Test with your own longest document before committing.
Privacy and data controls
For business use, check whether conversations are used for training, how long they are kept and what admin controls the team plans include. Companion apps need extra care for minors; read their age and safety policies.
What changed in this update
- Claude page rebuilt with Opus 5.5, Sonnet 5.5 and verified plan prices.
- Removed unsourced ratings and review counts from every listing.
- Withdrew ChatGPT plan prices pending verification.
Common questions
Which AI chatbot is best in 2026?
For most work, ChatGPT or Claude. Claude suits long documents, writing and coding; ChatGPT has the broadest feature set including images and voice. Gemini suits Google Workspace users. See our ChatGPT vs Claude vs Gemini comparison.
How much does Claude cost?
Claude Free is $0, Pro is $20 a month ($17 billed annually), Max starts at $100 a month, and Team seats are $25 or $125 a month. Checked on claude.com/pricing on 5 October 2026.
Why are ChatGPT prices not shown?
We publish prices only after checking the provider's own pricing page. OpenAI's site could not be reached from our checking environment on 5 October 2026, and reports conflict with our earlier figures.
What is the difference between Chat and Models?
Chat lists assistants you use through an app. Models lists open-weight models you download and run yourself. DeepSeek appears in both because it offers a chat app and open weights.