7+ Best AI Chatbots to Try in 2026 (Tried & Tested)

To interact, research, or solve problems, AI chatbots are being used by everyone massively.

According to DemandSage, 987 million people are using AI chatbots on a daily basis.

So, I thought of trying them myself before listing the best AI chatbots that you can use for your everyday tasks.

Let’s just dive into it!

TL;DR

AI chatbots have become everyday tools for writing, research, coding, studying, productivity, and automation. This guide reviews the best AI chatbots in 2026, like ChatGPT, Claude, DeepSeek, Perplexity, Gemini, Microsoft Copilot, Grok, Zapier Agents, Ask Tutor, and Edubrain AI.

Now, let's have a glimpse at the best AI chatbots

Before going through the details, I’ll just share them below so you can skim and track easily:

Here are the details of the 10 best AI chatbots

Finally, I’ll be on the best AI chatbots listing. Here I have listed the products chronologically from best to good.

Check them out.

1. ChatGPT

When most people think of AI chatbots, ChatGPT is usually the first name that comes to mind.

It's a general‑purpose conversational AI that can answer questions, write and edit content, help with coding, summarize long documents, and much more. 

You can use it through the web app, native mobile apps, and the OpenAI API, while the higher plans can give you extra controls and security.

However, due to having the latest GPT models (like GPT‑4‑class systems), it feels less like a scripted bot and more like a smart assistant.

That's why, whenever you're drafting content, analyzing data, brainstorming ideas, or automating workflows, ChatGPT can handle it just like a snap.

Here are some pros of ChatGPT

• Handles open‑ended questions, follow‑ups, and context extremely well

• You also get features like voice mode, image generation, file uploads, and task automation.

• It lets you create custom GPTs, build workflows, and apply the AI to specific business needs.

• With plans like Business and Enterprise, ChatGPT supports administrative controls, team collaboration features, enhanced security, and compliance tools.

Here are some cons of ChatGPT

• ChatGPT sometimes produces verbose answers or hallucinates.

• The free version comes with message and feature limits.

• If you have many queries in one chat, ChatGPT sometimes feels slower or heavier.

• While entry‑level access is affordable, large volumes of API calls or company‑wide deployment on advanced models require more costs.

ChatGPT has 4 pricing plans

1. Free: $0/month

2. Go: $8/month

3. Plus: $20/month

4. Pro: $100/month

2. Claude

Claude is an AI chatbot designed with a strong focus on safety, long context handling, and structured reasoning.

It can read and analyze long documents such as reports, contracts, and policy texts without losing key details. 

You can also find that it follows instructions carefully and applies clear logic when answering multi-step questions.

It supports tasks like document review, risk checks, and internal research.

While it may not suit casual chat needs, it fits professional use cases that require careful handling of information and consistent responses.

Here are some pros of Claude

• Areas like analysis, research summaries, long-form writing, and complex reasoning make it a strong fit for business, creators, and support teams.

• It produces answers that are cautious, well-structured, and considerate of sensitive contexts.

• Beyond the free web app, there are paid tiers and an API so you can integrate Claude into internal tools, workflows, or custom chat experiences without training your own model.

Here are some cons of Claude

• Users on the free or basic Pro tiers may hit usage limits faster than expected.

• Claude can sometimes feel slower or heavier for simple, quick chats or lightweight creative tasks.

• Though Claude.ai isn't yet available in every country, and some advanced features or models are locked behind paid plans.

Claude has 3 pricing plans

1. Free: $0/month

2. Pro: $17/month

3. Max: $100/month

3. DeepSeek

DeepSeek is a fast-growing, newer player in the large‑language‑model space.

On DeepSeek, the AI chatbot is designed with a strong focus on technical reasoning, coding, and data analysis.

You can ask questions, debug code, analyze text, or brainstorm ideas in a conversational way, and for more advanced use cases, you can tap into its models via API.

However, DeepSeek focuses heavily on efficiency and technical capability, especially appealing to teams who want a capable ChatGPT‑style assistant at a lower cost or with more flexibility.

Here are some pros of DeepSeek

• DeepSeek highlights coding and reasoning as core strengths, making it useful for developers, data teams, and technical founders.

• Provides access to its models for integration and research, which is attractive if you want to embed an AI chatbot into your own product.

• It is a globally accessible tool that works across 100+ language variations.

• The pricing plans feel more generous than other products in the list.

Here are some cons of DeepSeek

• DeepSeek's strength lies in analytical tasks, but when it comes to natural, friendly dialogue or creative storytelling, it doesn't match the conversational polish of tools like ChatGPT or Gemini.

• Compared with ChatGPT, Gemini, or Microsoft Copilot, DeepSeek's interface, documentation, and third‑party integrations are still maturing.

• Some users report occasional inconsistencies or performance issues when they play Deepseek under heavy load.

DeepSeek has 3 pricing plans

1. Free: $0/month

2. API Access: $0.14/month

3. Enterprise: Personalized pricing plan

4. Perplexity

I found Perplexity as a research-focused AI chatbot that delivers clear sources and current data.

Instead of giving you generic, model‑only responses, it chats with the users while actively searching the web, then responds with concise answers. 

Not only that, it has clickable citations to the sources it used.

Analysts, students, and managers rely on it to review topics, verify claims, and support decisions with real evidence. 

It works especially well for summaries, comparisons, and follow-up questions that stay directly tied to reliable sources.

This is because Perplexity combines large language models with live web data to deliver up‑to‑date, sourced answers.

Here are some pros of Perplexity

• You get both "Quick Search" for fast, concise answers and "Pro Search" for deeper, more detailed responses

• Because it constantly queries the web, it's much better than many static chatbots for news, trends, product updates, or anything time‑sensitive.

• Each result includes citations from authoritative websites, so you can click through, verify facts, and build reports or support resources with confidence.

• Perplexity offers mobile apps and a browser extension so you can use it as your everyday research companion.

Here are some cons of Perplexity

• Perplexity is fantastic for individuals or small teams doing research, but it doesn't currently replace full workflow automation or ticketing systems.

• Out of the box, Perplexity is an AI search assistant- not a widget you embed on your site to answer questions from your own knowledge base. So, you'd still need another tool to make the chatbot work.

Perplexity has 2 pricing plans

1. Perplexity Pro: $17/month

2. Perplexity Max: $167/month

5. Gemini

If you're exploring the best AI chatbots that go beyond simple question-answering, Gemini is one of the most compelling names in the game right now. 

Gemini is Google's flagship AI assistant and a direct evolution of Bard. 

It has both a website and mobile apps. Plus, it works as a conversational chatbot that can answer questions, write and edit content, and help with code.

Plus, it analyzes data and even understands images or files you upload.

However, Gemini is tightly connected to Google's ecosystem. You can use Gemini with Gmail, Docs, Drive, and other Workspace apps.

They also work great to draft emails, summarize long documents, or brainstorm ideas right where you already work.

It's built to feel like an intelligent collaborator, not just a chatbot, and seamlessly connects with the tools that many of us are already using every day.

Here are some pros of Gemini

• Gemini isn't limited to text only. It can interpret and generate responses from images, audio, and even videos(for paid plans).

• It can serve you directly with live Google Search results due to being in the Google product ecosystem.

• The chat UI at gemini.google.com feels simple and approachable; there's almost no learning curve.

• With official apps and browser compatibility, you can call Gemini from almost anywhere.

Here are some cons of Gemini

• To use Gemini as a chatbot on your site or in your product, you have to work with Google's underlying models and APIs or third‑party tools. (which steals the user's freedom)

• Gemini can still produce confident but wrong responses, so you shouldn't rely on it as a single source of truth without manual (human) review.

• Some capabilities (and Gemini Advanced) are only available in certain countries and languages, which can be a constraint for global teams.

Gemini has 4 pricing plans

1. Free: $0/month

2. Google AI Plus: $7.99/month

3. Google AI Pro: $19.99/month

4. Google AI Ultra: $249.99/month

6. Microsoft Copilot

Microsoft Copilot is built into Microsoft Office, Windows, and many enterprise systems.

It works inside tools like Word, Excel, Outlook, and Teams, where it helps users draft text, analyze data, and manage emails. 

Instead of jumping to a separate chatbot, you can ask Copilot to summarize an email thread, turn meeting notes into a slide deck, analyze an Excel sheet, or draft a customer update right inside your Microsoft 365 apps.

Being an adaptive system, Copilot adjusts responses based on user context and task history. Its main value comes from reducing manual work inside familiar software.

Here are some pros of Microsoft Copilot

• Copilot isn't just conversational- it's context-aware. That means it can use your business data (such as emails, documents, and calendars) to deliver responses grounded in real context.

• Due to being built in Microsoft 365 and Windows, your team can directly chat through in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams instead of juggling separate tools.

• Within Microsoft 365, Copilot Chat provides secure AI conversations, and teams can build and deploy custom AI agents to handle specific tasks.

Here are some cons of Microsoft Copilot

• Copilot specialized in marketing write-ups with fine‑grained brand‑voice controls and conversation flows. But it won't support you with the consistent output like ChatGPT or Gemini.

• It's deeply integrated into many apps and scenarios, but can feel complex- especially for users not fully embedded in the Microsoft ecosystem.

Microsoft Copilot has 3 pricing plans

1. Microsoft 365 Personal: $9.99/month

2. Microsoft 365 Family: $12.99/month

3. Microsoft 365 Premium: $19.99/month

7. Grok

Grok is a conversational AI linked to real-time social and trend data from large public streams. It focuses on fast updates and context tied to current discussions. 

It is designed to answer almost any question you throw at it. And unlike many chatbots, it has real‑time access to X (formerly Twitter).

Plus, it means Grok can pull in fresh information from live (via posts, comments, live streams and more).

Whenever you ask Grok about news, public reactions, or topic shifts, it will respond with summaries that reflect recent posts and signals.

This makes it useful for tracking discourse, spotting changes in opinion, and checking how topics evolve during the day. 

In your business, you can use the best AI chatbot for media checks, brand awareness, and issue review.

The system favours short answers with context from live data rather than long reports. 

Here are some pros of Grok

• Unlike many formal or neutral chatbots, Grok's personality leans toward witty, humorous, and sometimes rebellious replies.

• If you're active on X, Grok can help you riff on post ideas, headlines, threads, and replies based on what's happening in your niche right now.

• You can interact with Grok through multiple channels- the Grok web portal, iOS and Android apps, or inside X itself.

Here are some cons of Grok

• Free use of Grok may come with message limits (like messages per hour).

• Compared to some enterprise-oriented chatbots, Grok doesn't yet offer as deep integration ecosystem across business tools (like CRMs or support platforms) out of the box.

• Grok currently offers fewer admin controls, integrations, and compliance features compared to other tools like Microsoft Copilot or ChatGPT Enterprise.

Grok has 2 pricing plans

1. SuperGrok Lite: $10/month

2. SuperGrok: $30/month

8. Zapier Agents

Zapier Agents is an automation-focused AI tool built to connect apps and run workflows across business systems.

They act on triggers and rules, then carry out tasks such as data transfer, message sending, or record updates. 

Unlike chat-based tools, Zapier Agents focus on task execution rather than long dialogue. 

You have to just define goals, and the agent follows steps across connected apps like CRM tools, email services, and databases.

This approach helps teams reduce manual work and limit errors in repetitive processes. 

However, Zapier Agents fit in operations, sales support, and admin work where consistency matters.

They work best when tasks follow clear rules and depend on app connections. 

Here are some pros of Zapier Agents

• With Zapier Agents, you don't have to build manual automation logic- you just talk to AI. For example, you can ask your agent to "create a task for every new support email", and it will translate that into automated actions across apps (that are supported by Zapier).

• Zapier Agents can link Gmail, Slack, Notion, Google Sheets, HubSpot, and dozens of other tools, meaning your AI chatbot won't be limited to generating text.

• Support teams especially benefit when agents handle things like tagging tickets, sending templated replies, or updating databases automatically.

• You can use Zapier chatbots on your website, inside internal tools, or connected to other channels flawlessly.

Here are some cons of Zapier Agents

• It's fantastic at automation, but if you mainly want brainstorming, long‑form writing, or general Q&A, a tool like ChatGPT or Claude may feel more natural.

• If your business tools aren't supported by Zapier, you won't get the full value out of the agent. This is because Zapier Agents derive their strength from their own integrations.

• Zapier's pricing model is tied to the number of automation executions and connected apps, so when you layer in AI agents and heavy workflow usage, costs can increase quickly.

Zapier Agents has 2 pricing plans

1. Free: $10/month

2. Pro: $13.33/month

3. Advanced: $66.67/month

4. Custom: Personalized pricing plan

9. AskTutor

Ask Tutor is an AI learning support tool designed around real study situations.

It also focuses on helping users understand material at their own pace rather than just providing short answers.

The system supports STEM subjects and humanities and works well for lesson rebuilding, essay planning, and test preparation.

Here, students, ESL learners, tutors, and teachers use AskTutor for clear explanations and follow-up questions. 

Teachers can upload materials, while students can ask for simpler or alternative explanations.

The tool adapts to different learning speeds and works on mobile devices, which supports learning outside the classroom.

Here are some pros of Ask Tutor

• Instead of only giving the final answer, it can break problems into smaller steps, which is especially useful for math, science, and technical subjects.

• Students don't have to wait for office hours or email replies- AskTutor can answer questions whenever they're stuck

• Unlike many AI tools that hide features behind paywalls or require accounts, AskTutor offers free access to its premium tutoring features.

Here are some cons of Ask Tutor

• AskTutor AI excels in education contexts, but for general-purpose conversational tasks (conversational writing, marketing copy, generating scripts, social copy, etc.) isn't as strong as other AI chatbots like ChatGPT or Gemini.

• It's great for tutoring and learning support, but it's not a full replacement for customer service, sales, or workflow automation tools.

Ask Tutor is completely Free

This platform lets you use it to ask questions and get answers for study use without charging bucks.

10. Edubrain AI

If your focus is on an AI chatbot that simplifies complex learning and academic tasks, Edubrain AI is worth a close look. 

It's built with education and problem-solving at its core. It works as a homework doer that supports several subjects, such as math, science, engineering, and humanities. 

The process is simple: users type a question, choose the subject and level, and receive a clear answer in a minimal time.

What makes Edubrain stand out is its image-to-answer process: you can upload a photo, text, or file, and the AI instantly processes it and returns solutions (that feel more like a supportive tutor than a simple search result).

However, Edubrain does not require registration or payment. Students can use it at any time, including late evenings or early mornings.

This works best as support for self-study and homework checks, not as a replacement for teachers.

Here are some pros of Edubrain AI

• Edubrain has the ability to upload images, PDFs, and other formats. The best part is- it understands the handwritten format too.

• It supports a wide range of subjects, from basic math to more advanced topics, and provides detailed, logical explanations that help deepen understanding.

• It's not limited strictly to homework help. The AI can also assist researchers with organizing ideas, writers with drafting and structuring content, and casual users with fact-based questions.

For negatives, I found no very significant issues. Just a simple note that the answers need user verification, and the free version contains ads.

But yes, here's a caution: you will get the best AI chatbot from Edubrain AI if you use it for educational purposes.

Edubrain AI has 4 pricing plans

1. Free: $0/month

2. AI-Plus: $8/month

3. Expert help: $20/month

Things to consider when choosing the best AI chatbots

Before you jump to choose the best AI chatbots, it's worth pausing for a moment and asking yourself a few smart questions. 

This is because not every AI chatbot is built for the same job, and the "best" one depends entirely on how you plan to use it.

So, I have listed some things to consider when you are going to choose one. 

Here they are:

1. Think about your primary use case

For what are you going to use an AI chatbot- support customers, create content, help with research, or automate internal tasks? 

Some chatbots are great all-rounders, while others shine in very specific areas like education, search, or workflow automation. 

So, choose a tool that aligns with your day-to-day needs, which will save you time and frustration later.

2. Look at how well it fits into your existing workflow

No one likes interruptions in work.

That's why you should check whether the platform integrates with the tools you already rely on, like email, documents, CRMs, project management apps, or support platforms. 

Seamless integration often matters more than having dozens of extra features you'll never touch.

3. Response quality and reliability also matter

A good chatbot should give clear, accurate answers and handle follow-up questions without losing context. 

If you're using AI for business or support teams, consistency is critical- especially when customers or stakeholders are involved.

4. Don't ignore customization & control

Some AI chatbots let you tailor responses, set rules, train on your own data, or create custom assistants. 

All of these can make a huge difference if you want the AI to reflect your brand voice or follow specific guidelines.

5. Consider pricing and scalability

Many tools look affordable at first, but whenever you are scaling your business, they become expensive or give access to limited features.

So, check usage limits, team pricing, and whether higher-tier features are truly worth the cost for your situation.

Choosing the right AI chatbot isn't about chasing the most popular name. It’s about finding the one that fits your goals, workflow, and budget.

FYI: EzyCourse has recently launched its AI tools for course and website creation. Let me share some of its glimse below:

Go with the best AI chatbots

By now, you have an idea and a list of the best AI chatbots for everyone in 2026.

I tried to sort them out in an easy way, focusing on the practical aspects.

And, my personal pick is ChatGPT, Claude and DeepSeek AI for creators who want to work on creative works.

So hope you found this guide helpful so far, and be sure to try them yourself since they are all free.

Have a great day ahead!