The best AI chatbots of 2023: ChatGPT and alternatives (2023)

Pros

• Access to the internet
• Links back to sources
• Uses OpenAI's most advanced LLM

Cons

• Open preview
• Query cap

Bing ChatGPT features:

• OpenAI's most advanced LLM, GPT-4
• Has access to the internet
• Works like a search engine with information on current events
• Price: Free

In early February, Microsoft unveiled a new AI-improved Bing, which runs on GPT-4, the newest version of OpenAI's language model systems which is more capable and reliable. On May 4, Bing's chatbot moved from limited preview to open preview, meaning that everyone can access it for free.

Also: I tried Bing's AI chatbot, and it solved my biggest problems with ChatGPT

From testing the chatbot, ZDNET found that it solved two major issues with ChatGPT, including having access to current events and linking back to the sources it retrieved its answer from. The chatbot is free and easy to use, making it a convenient alternative to a regular search engine.

The only way you can access GPT-4 for free is by using Bing Chat. If Bing Chat's access to the entirety of the internet wasn't enough to sway you to get to try it, maybe some its serious upcoming updates will.

Pros

• Writing skills
• STEM knowledge
• Conversational

Cons

• Not always available
• Not connected to the internet

ChatGPT features:

• Uses OpenAI's GPT-3.5 or GPT-4 (if subscribed)
• Can generate text, solve math problems, and code
• Offers conversation capabilities
• Price: Completely free to the public right now

ChatGPT is a conversational AI chatbotby OpenAI that can produce text for you based on any prompt you input, generating emails, essays, poems, raps, grocery lists, letters, and much more.

ChatGPT was released in November and because of its massive success, it became the blueprint for many of chatbots to enter the scene, including Bing Chat.

Also:ChatGPT vs. Bing Chat: Which AI chatbot should you use?

In addition to writing for you, ChatGPT can chat with you about simple or complex topics such as "What are colors?" or "What is the meaning of life?" ChatGPT is also proficient in STEM and can write and debug code, and even solve complex math equations. The best part is that the service is completely free to the public right now because it is still in its research and feedback-collection phase.

The big downside is that the chatbot is often at capacity due to its immense popularity. However, ChatGPT Plus gives users general access even during peak times when the free version is at capacity.

Another major perk of ChatGPT Plus is that it gives users access to GPT-4, OpenAI's most advanced language model -- which is significantly more capable than previous models. The subscription cost for ChatGPT Plus is $20 per month.

Also: How to use ChatGPT

Pros

• 50 different writing templates
• Copyediting features
• Plagiarism checker

Cons

• Focuses on written text
• Steep cost

Jasper features:

• Uses OpenAI's GPT-3.5
• Can summarize texts and generate paragraphs and product descriptions
• Checks for plagiarism and grammar
• Price: Starts at $39 per month

Like ChatGPT, Jasper also uses natural language processing to generate human-like responses. Jasper even uses the same language model as ChatGPT, OpenAI's GPT-3, which was created by the AI research company behind ChatGPT.

With Jasper, you can input a prompt for what you want to be written and it will write it for you, just like ChatGPT would. The major difference with Jasper is that it has an extensive amount of tools to produce better copy. Jasper can check for grammar and plagiarism and write in over 50 different templates including, blog posts, Twitter threads, video scripts, and more.

If you need to generate written copy every day for your business, Jasper is the tool for you. However, at a $39-a-month cost, it is an investment.

Pros

• Readily available
• Free
• Source Citing

Cons

• UI lacks aesthetic appeal
• In beta stage

YouChat features:

• Uses OpenAI's GPT-3
• Lists sources for the text it generates
• It even uses Google sources (unlike most other AI chatbots)
• Price: Free

YouChat also uses OpenAI's GPT-3. With YouChat, you can input a prompt for what you want to be written and it will write it for you, just like ChatGPT would for free. The chatbot outputs an answer to anything you input including math, coding, translating, and writing prompts. A huge pro for this chatbot is that, because it lacks popularity, you can hop on at any time and ask away.

Another major pro is that this chatbot cites sources from Google, which ChatGPT does not because it doesn't have internet access. For example, if you ask YouChat "What is soda?", it will produce a conversational text response and cite sources from Google specifying where it pulled its information from. The chatbot is just as functional, without annoying capacity blocks, and has no cost.

Pros

• Up-to-date
• Variety of use cases
• Free trial

Cons

• Subscription cost
• Can't do math

Chatsonic features:

• Supported by Google
• Powered by GPT-4
• Aware of current events (ChatGPT stops at 2021)
• Offers voice dictation, AI image generation, and more
• Price: The monthly cost starts at $13 per month

Chatsonic is a dependable AI chatbot, especially If you need an AI chatbot that is up-to-date on current events. Because Chatsonic is supported by Google, it is aware of current news and can provide you answers and stories that relate to it, which ChatGPT can't do since its database doesn't go past 2021.

Chatsonic also includes footnotes with links to the sources so you can verify the information it is feeding out to you, another vast contrast from ChatGPT. Another major perk is that Chatsonic is powered by GPT-4, OpenAI's latest and most advanced model.

Other cool features include voice dictation, which lets you speak prompts as you would with Alexa, and AI image generation. If you want to try it, you get a convenient free trial for 2,500 words with no credit card required. The monthly cost starts at $13 per month but goes all the way up to $1749 per month depending on the number of words needed.

Pros

• Free
• Access to Google
• Good text editing skills

Cons

• No sources
• Can't help much with code

Google Bard features:

• From Google
• Has a "Google it" feature
• Generates clear text quickly
• Price: Free

Bard is Google's experimental, conversational, AI chat service. Over a month after it was announced, Google opened up the waitlist for its chatbot on Mar. 21, 2023.

Unlike most of the chatbots on this list, Google does not use a large language model in the GPT series but instead uses a lightweight version of LaMDA, a model made by Google.

Also: What is Google Bard? Here's everything you need to know

ZDNET got access to the bot and upon testing, it saw that the chatbot's abilities to code and function as a search engine were not the chatbot's forte. However, the chatbot performed well as a text assistant that can edit text and write professional documents, including resumes, cover letters, professional summaries, and more.

Another major perk is that Google Bard is free to use, so if you need resume or essay help in a pinch, it can be a good resource. To get access, you have to join a waitlist. You can find step-by-step instructions here.

Pros

• Free
• Educational
• Easy to use

Cons

• Doesn't write text
• No desktop version

Socratic features:

• From Google
• Type in any question to generate a response
• Has fun graphics
• Supports scanning worksheets to get a specially curated answer
• Price: Free

If you want your child to also take advantage of AI to lighten their workload, but still have some limits, Socratic is for you. With Socratic, children can type in any question they may have about what they are learning in school and Socratic will generate a conversational, human-like response with fun unique graphics to help break down the concept.

The app, available on the App Store and the Google App Store, also has a feature that lets your kid scan their worksheet to get a specially curated answer. The app does have some limitations; for example, it will not just write an essay or story when prompted. However, this could be a positive thing because it curbs your child's temptation to get a chatbot, like ChatGPT, to write their essay for them.