7 Greatest Free AI Chatbots I’ve Tried (and Beloved!) for 2025

I’ve been following a number of the greatest AI chatbots house ever since ChatGPT made a shocking debut in 2022. 

Whereas ChatGPT could have made chatbots mainstream, it’s not the one participant on the town. In reality, I chat with a number of of them each day to sort out my private {and professional} duties. 

And I have to say, not all chatbots are easy operators. Some provide you with precisely what you want, whereas others go away you shouting, “That’s not what I meant!” (Been there, belief me.) With so many choices popping up, it’s powerful to know which of them are really value your time.

That’s why I’ve put collectively this information. As somebody who spends far an excessive amount of time exploring these instruments, I’ve rounded up the perfect AI chatbots of 2025–those that impressed me with their smarts, usefulness, and ease of use. And the perfect half? They’re free to begin experimenting. 

Whether or not you’re a enterprise proprietor making an attempt to get a bot to deal with buyer queries quicker, a scholar searching for assist simplifying complicated matters, or knowledgeable trying to find a instrument to make your job simpler, there’s a chatbot on the market designed only for you.

What makes the perfect AI chatbot?

There are 240+ AI chatbots obtainable within the market-ranging from general-purpose instruments like ChatGPT to specialised enterprise chatbots. So, what units the perfect chatbots aside? From my analysis and hands-on testing, it boils down to some important qualities:

• Superior AI capabilities: I’ve discovered that the perfect chatbots are powered by cutting-edge massive language fashions (LLMs), permitting them to ship correct, context-aware, and fascinating responses. It’s this basis that makes conversations really feel much less robotic and extra human-like.
• Ease of use: Accessibility is an enormous deal for me. An amazing chatbot ought to really feel intuitive proper from the beginning–easy sufficient for rookies to know however with sufficient depth to maintain superior customers engaged. These are non-negotiables in my ebook.
• Adaptability and options: I want a chatbot that may deal with all of it–writing content material, managing workflows, or tackling domain-specific queries. Those I like most additionally let me customise model, tone, and responses or workflows to suit precisely what I want, making them much more versatile.
• Privateness and transparency: Knowledge safety is all the time on my thoughts. One of the best chatbots I’ve used deal with consumer knowledge responsibly and let me know and choose out of knowledge sharing if wanted. It’s reassuring to know my info isn’t being misused.
• Scalability and flexibility: Scalability is essential for companies. I’ve examined chatbots that may handle excessive volumes of interactions whereas adapting to rising calls for. That type of effectivity is a large plus, particularly for enterprise-level duties.

How did I put these AI chatbots to check?

My expertise with chatbots has proven me that evaluating AI chatbots is trickier than it appears. Their capabilities are huge, and their functions typically rely upon what we wish from them. What labored brilliantly for me won’t work for somebody with a special ask. So, I stored it sensible and targeted on what issues to most customers whereas acknowledging that no single take a look at can cowl all the things.

7 greatest free AI chatbots I preferred

After extensively testing and analyzing quite a few AI chatbots for days, I spotted the perfect chatbots are people who transcend easy responses to turn out to be true problem-solving companions. Those that made this listing impressed me with their means to deal with various duties.

It contains general-purpose AI chatbots and platforms that assist construct AI bots for enterprise use. Whereas they aren’t excellent and match all the standards I got down to test them towards, every of those AI assistants brings a particular edge, providing a steadiness of innovation, adaptability, and real-world practicality.

* This knowledge was pulled from G2 in 2024. The product listing is ranked alphabetically. Some critiques could have been edited for readability.

1. ChatGPT

I’ve been utilizing ChatGPT because the day it debuted, and in my view, it’s the perfect free AI chatbot on the market–each based mostly by myself assessments and what G2 critiques say. This OG chatbot revolutionized how we work together with AI, and what I like most is how extremely simple it’s to entry and use.

When you sign up, it’s so simple as typing what you need to know or selecting one of many prompts supplied. And identical to that, your dialog begins.

Simple UI of ChatGPT

Over time, I’ve used ChatGPT for every kind of duties—writing weblog posts, brainstorming concepts, analyzing knowledge for my content material, producing social media pictures, planning a home social gathering, and even dabbling in coding to tweak my website. And actually, it’s performed an ideal job on all of them.

ChatGPT’s response to considered one of my prompts

Whereas the responses look very generic on the first try, including extra particulars to the follow-up prompts typically brings us the specified outcomes. 

The free model runs on GPT-3.5 but additionally provides entry to multimodal LLMs like GPT-4o mini and GPT-4o, which provides you a style of superior AI with out paying a dime. It needs to be famous the GPTs rank persistently within the high positions within the LLM leaderboard. I actually preferred how I may bounce between two conversations. It felt just like the bot genuinely “remembered” the place we left off, making interactions seamless and pure. 

The reminiscence characteristic on ChatGPT was additionally useful, permitting me to set customized directions for the way I wished the bot to reply. One characteristic I cherished is its means to take inputs in several codecs, like pictures and CSVs, which opens up so many potentialities for artistic and analytical work.

 

Choices to replace reminiscence and add customized directions on ChatGPT

After all, there are some downsides. The free model can’t totally browse the Web, and I discovered the boundaries on utilizing superior fashions and picture era to be extraordinarily annoying. Typically, it hallucinates and stubbornly insists it’s proper even when it’s not–belief me, it’s just a little infuriating! Plus, entry to newer options like SearchGPT and voice mode is locked behind the paid Plus plan.

That stated, ChatGPT stays a robust and dependable instrument for a wide range of duties, particularly contemplating it’s free. I imagine it has set a extremely excessive normal for any free AI chatbot out there. 

OpenAI could use your messages and chats to coach and enhance their mannequin when utilizing ChatGPT free and Plus plan.

What I preferred about ChatGPT:

• Good context consciousness to leap between matters with out dropping the movement of the dialog.
• The flexibility of dealing with diversified duties like content material writing, brainstorming, knowledge evaluation, and coding with ease.

What I didn’t like about ChatGPT: 

• Superior fashions and instruments like SearchGPT and voice mode are restricted to the paid plans.
• Typically hallucinates and insists on being proper even when it’s clearly not.

2. Claude

Claude by Anthropic shortly turned considered one of my favourite chatbots for its pure and human-like conversations. In comparison with different AI instruments, together with ChatGPT, Claude feels extra considerate and fascinating, avoiding the generic tone or, as it’s referred to as, “AI converse” that we frequently discover in different chatbots.

The UI of Claude

Accessing Claude is easy, identical to ChatGPT. The free model primarily runs on the Claude Haiku mannequin. Sometimes, it supplies restricted entry to superior fashions like Claude 3.5 Sonnet or Opus.

You possibly can see from its response how Claude’s output is a lot better by way of writing model. 

Claude’s response to considered one of my prompts

One other characteristic that I completely cherished was Claude Artifacts, that are content material or instruments you create with Claude that may be shared with the neighborhood. I had a blast creating them. For instance, I’ve used it to design issues like mini-calculators and even small interactive instruments. The UI of artifacts is one other spotlight–I cherished how I may change between the completed product and the underlying code with only a click on. 

Claude’s Artifacts UI to see code and output side-by-side

Claude additionally let me set dialog types, making it really feel like I’m customizing the bot to match my workflow or tone. 

Choices to customise response model on Claude

However there are some frustrations. The free model downgrades fashions mid-conversation whenever you hit utilization limits, which may disrupt the movement. Worse, you possibly can’t ship any messages whenever you hit the cap–you’re pressured to attend for a couple of hours to regain entry, which is fairly annoying. Additionally, Claude can’t browse the net, so for any evaluation or enter on present occasions, you’ll want to repeat and paste the related textual content or content material into the chat. 

Nonetheless, Claude’s conversational movement and context retention make it really feel much less like a chatbot and extra like a collaborative companion. Additionally, Anthorpic doesn’t use your inputs to coach its fashions except you give permission or if it is marked by their staff for security.

What I Appreciated About Claude:

• Pure, human-like responses.
• Claude Artifacts to create standalone content material, apps, and extra.

What I Didn’t Like About Claude:

• Downgrades fashions mid-conversation when utilization limits are hit.
• Free model caps can cease utilization totally for hours

3. Gemini

Google’s Gemini (previously Bard) could have entered the AI chatbot sport a bit later than ChatGPT, dropping some first-mover benefit. Nonetheless, I imagine its newest model is a powerful competitor to ChatGPT and Claude, providing distinctive options that make it stand out.

 

Gemini’s interface

I completely cherished the truth that it may entry real-time knowledge by way of Google Search. I’m additionally an enormous fan of the “Double-check with Google” characteristic. Whenever you click on on it, the chatbot highlights sourced info in inexperienced and unsourced knowledge in orange. With this, you possibly can actually know whether or not one thing is perhaps hallucinated or inaccurate.  This makes it among the best AI chatbot for analysis. 

Reality-checking characteristic on Gemini

Free picture era with Imagen was one other facet I preferred. Whereas Gemini does point out utilization limits, I do not suppose I ever hit them or noticed an error message. 

Producing footage with Imagen 3 mannequin on Gemini

Gemini can write, create content material, code, and do all the things ChatGPT does. Nonetheless, a significant downside is the shortage of help for including recordsdata for conversations. I couldn’t add recordsdata, be it phrase or CSV, for evaluation as I may with ChatGPT or Claude, which felt restrictive.

Additionally, Gemini doesn’t supply a lot in the best way of customization for tone, model, or responses besides by way of prompts. I discovered this restrictive since I wished some management over how the bot responded to me. The free model runs on Gemini Flash 1.5, one of many quickest AI fashions obtainable, however a paid plan is required to entry the superior Professional mannequin and options like file add.

Total, it is a good ChatGPT various, albeit with some limitations.

What I Appreciated About Gemini:

• Good ChatGPT various.
• Actual-time knowledge entry and the “double-check with Google” characteristic for correct, sourced info.

What I Didn’t Like About Gemini:

• No file add help, limiting its versatility for sure duties.
• Restricted customization choices for tone, model, and responses past detailed prompts.

4. Gleen AI

Now, Gleen AI just isn’t an AI chatbot, nevertheless it’s a platform that means that you can create your personal chatbot particularly for buyer help. I discovered it to be extremely helpful for on-line companies of all sizes. 

AI settings on Gleen AI so as to add coaching knowledge for customized AI chatbot

What actually impressed me was how simple it was to arrange and prepare my chatbot. The interface is tremendous user-friendly, even for somebody who isn’t significantly tech-savvy.  I may pull in knowledge from a number of sources, like web sites, and recordsdata from instruments like Slack, Discord, and Notion or from a Shopify retailer, and prepare the mannequin with these knowledge. I may additionally customise it with my very own guidelines, and add it to the web site. It felt like constructing a customized Retrieval-Augmented Technology (RAG) mannequin, however a lot easier. 

Choices to customise the AI chatbot on Gleen AI

And the chatbot solutions are simple, with hyperlinks to the help documentation too. I may get knowledge on the overall variety of AI chats, common response time, upvoted and downvoted queries, or these escalated to human brokers by their dashboard. I may simply see how this instrument can rework buyer help by delivering fast, correct responses 24/7 for reptitive queries.

The free model solely permits just one chatbot and 50 AI conversations, which I felt was fairly restrictive for any on-line enterprise. And the paid model is perhaps expensive.

Moreover, Gleen AI’s effectiveness additionally closely relies on the standard and breadth of the info you present–in case your documentation or data base isn’t well-organized, it might not carry out as anticipated. Some buyer help professionals additionally want extra options like in-depth dashboards and notifications to be improved. 

Lastly, this instrument is clearly designed for companies, so people or groups searching for a general-purpose chatbot could discover it too area of interest. 

What I preferred about Gleen AI:

• Simple to arrange and prepare a buyer help chatbot.
• Person-friendly interface with an in depth dashboard for insights like response occasions and dialog knowledge.

What I didn’t like about Gleen AI:

• Effectiveness relies on the standard and group of the info you present.
• Restricted free model.

5. Google Cloud Dialogflow

Google Cloud Dialogflow, provided as a part of Google Cloud, was a brand new discovery for me whereas researching AI assistants. I discovered it just like Gleen AI as a platform to construct conversational AI bots for buyer help.

I’ve to confess, getting began with Dialogflow wasn’t precisely intuitive. Google makes use of very particular phrases like intents (what the bot ought to do for particular queries) and entities (key particulars inside a question) to coach the AI bot, and understanding these ideas took me a while.

The UI of Dialogflow

As soon as I acquired the dangle of it, although, I may see the potential. I may entry plenty of pre-built templates for AI brokers to get began shortly. I additionally preferred that Dialogflow helps each voice and textual content interactions in a number of languages. This flexibility is a superb characteristic, particularly for international companies.

Templates for AI bots on Dialogflow

Nonetheless, utilizing the platform wasn’t the smoothest expertise. The web site was noticeably sluggish at occasions, which made the setup really feel extra tedious than it ought to have. Additionally, higher help documentation may have made my life simpler. After a degree, I couldn’t customise the pre-built templates.

Dialogflow caught when creating AI agent from template

Regardless of these challenges, Dialogflow is a robust platform to construct your AI bots when you get previous the preliminary studying curve. I might say it’s splendid for builders or technical groups that want extremely tailor-made bots able to dealing with complicated workflows.

Google provides a free trial of Dialogflow for Google Cloud customers to check earlier than committing

What I preferred about Google Cloud Dialogflow:

• Pre-built AI agent templates make getting began quicker.
• Handles each textual content and audio inputs and helps a number of languages.

What I didn’t like about Google Cloud Dialogflow:

• Poor help documentation and steep studying curve for non-technical customers. 
• Restricted customization on templates. 

6. Kore.ai

Kore.ai is one other instrument to construct your personal digital brokers for help with its Automation AI platform.  I discovered it to be a pleasing shock by way of consumer expertise. The whole lot felt intuitive and seamless proper from the beginning. 

As quickly as I signed up and entered the trial, I may start establishing my chatbot with minimal friction. The platform guided me by every step, from naming the customized AI bot to including use circumstances, with clear directions, as you possibly can see beneath. 

Organising AI chatbot utilizing Kore.ai platform

If I skipped the steps, I may use the setup information supplied on the dashboard to construct my chatbot. One characteristic I preferred was the flexibility to model and customise the bot. I may tweak all the things from the welcome display to the chat window design and buttons, and the platform provided a real-time preview of how the bot would look as I made adjustments. This made the method not solely simple but additionally fulfilling, even for somebody with out a technical background.

The setup information for AI chatbot on Kore.ai platform

To coach the bot, we have to add our documentation or present web site hyperlinks and in addition particulars on the circumstances for small speak, alerts, dialogs with prospects, and extra that we’d like from the chatbot. 

Kore.ai supplies free tokens for LLM, or we may straight connect with our personal LLM account utilizing utility programming interface (API) keys so as to add generative AI capabilities. This automates many duties, like constructing dialog or movement for coaching the bot. I discovered it fairly helpful. Kore.ai additionally has a market with available bots and integrations that we may use. 

I did encounter some challenges. Determining the mannequin coaching and configuration half was just a little troublesome for me as a non-technical individual. I felt the necessity for a developer’s assist to get this performed. The platform additionally lags at occasions. 

What I Appreciated About Kore.ai:

• Intuitive setup course of with step-by-step steerage.
• Versatile choices for including generative AI capabilities.

What I Didn’t Like About Kore.ai:

• Superior mannequin coaching and configuration will be difficult for non-technical customers.
• Occasional platform lag disrupts the consumer expertise.

7. Microsoft Copilot

Out of all of the chatbots and instruments talked about right here, I have to say Microsoft Copilot stands out for its accessibility. I may begin chatting with out even signing in by way of the internet hyperlink, a refreshing change in comparison with most different instruments.  

You too can entry it by way of the Bing search engine or Microsoft Edge browser. I needed to sign up with a Microsoft account solely once I wished to create a picture or have a voice chat.

CoPilot makes use of OpenAI’s GPT-4 mannequin alongside Microsoft’s proprietary mannequin. And since its powered by OpenAI’s mannequin, I may do no matter I may do with GPT, like generate content material, code, and pictures, albeit with some limitations. 

Chatting with Copilot with out signing in

A standout characteristic for me was how Copilot shared its sources to the knowledge on our chats. Each time it answered a query, it included hyperlinks to the sources it pulled the knowledge from. This transparency is invaluable, particularly when you must confirm the accuracy of the response or dive deeper into the small print. 

Copilot citing supply hyperlinks when sharing info

I additionally had enjoyable creating pictures, and it appeared like one of many easy-to-use free AI picture mills.  One other plus that many customers be aware is the mixing with different Microsoft merchandise when you have Microsoft 365 subscription or Home windows. 

Creating pictures with Microsoft Copilot

By default, Microsoft makes use of your knowledge for coaching functions except you actively disable it. To their credit score, a disclaimer about this seems at the beginning of each new chat, so that you’re conscious of how your knowledge is perhaps used.

The most important draw back is the boundaries on conversations free of charge customers. I hardly had 4 conversations earlier than I acquired this message. 

Error message on Microsoft Copilot

Whereas it does reset after an hour, this interruption mid-chat was irritating.  Additionally, I couldn’t add any recordsdata to make use of in our dialog. For these causes, the free model is best suited to informal conversations or mild day by day duties somewhat than any heavy or steady use.

What I preferred about Microsoft CoPilot:

• Accessible with out signing in and obtainable by Bing and Microsoft Edge.
• Cites sources for each reply, guaranteeing transparency and credibility.

What I didn’t like about Microsoft CoPilot:

• Restricted dialog limits free of charge customers.
• File add performance is unavailable within the free model, limiting its versatility for complicated duties

Whereas these seven AI chatbots stood out throughout my assessments, they’re not the one greatest ones value mentioning. Relying in your wants, different general-purpose AI chatbots like Perplexity,  Meta AI, constructed on Llama 3, and You.com are additionally nice to check out. 

If constructing your personal chatbot is the purpose, different AI chatbot builders like Tidio, Moveworks, and Workhub Workbot are additionally good choices.

Comparability of greatest free AI chatbots

Do you’re feeling like you will have an excessive amount of to analysis earlier than discovering the perfect AI chatbot to your wants? This comparability desk makes it simpler for you.

AI chatbot	Free plan/free trial	Greatest for
ChatGPT	Free model with limitations on picture era, entry to fashions like GPT-4o, and different superior options	Greatest for duties like content material creation, conding, answering questions, brainstorming concepts, planning, tutoring, knowledge evaluation, and informal conversations
Claude	Free model with limitations on entry to fashions like Sonnet 3.5  and superior options	Greatest for participating conversations and artistic duties
Gemini	Free model on Gemini Flash 1.5 mannequin	Greatest for general-purpose duties and fact-checking
Gleen AI	Free model to construct 1 AI chatbot skilled on as much as 500 URLs or paperwork and restricted to 50 conversations	Greatest for constructing customized buyer help AI chatbot
Google Cloud Dialogflow	Free trial obtainable	Greatest for constructing multi-channel AI chatbots
Kore.ai	Free trial obtainable	Greatest for constructing enterprise chatbot options
Microsoft Copilot	Free model with limits on efficiency and options	Greatest for informal conversations with out signup or sign-in

Ceaselessly requested questions (FAQ) on the AI chatbots

Q. What’s an AI chatbot?

An AI chatbot is software program powered by synthetic intelligence that mimics human-like conversations. It makes use of pure language processing (NLP) and machine studying (ML) to know and reply to consumer queries.

Q. What’s a chatbot used for?

Chatbots are used for varied functions, together with buyer help, content material creation, brainstorming concepts, coding, tutoring, planning, and even automating workflows in companies.

Q. What’s the greatest AI chatbot?

One of the best AI chatbot relies on your wants. For general-purpose duties, ChatGPT and Gemini are nice choices. For artistic duties, Claude performs effectively. Microsoft Copilot is well accessible. ChatGPT, Cluade, Gemini, and Microsoft Copilot are additionally free to make use of. 

For companies, Kore.ai, Gleen AI, and Dialogflow are high contenders for constructing greatest AI chatbots for web sites.

Q. What are the perfect ChatGPT options?

A few of the greatest ChatGPT options are Claude, Gemini and Microsoft Copilot. Every of those options caters to totally different wants, whether or not it’s artistic brainstorming, sharing real-world knowledge, or serving to with work duties.

Q. Microsoft CoPilot vs. ChatGPT: Which is best?

Microsoft CoPilot and ChatGPT each use OpenAI’s GPT-4 mannequin however cater to totally different wants. CoPilot is accessible with out signing in by way of Bing or Edge, however its free model has stricter dialog limits. 

ChatGPT, nevertheless, is the perfect AI chatbot for coding, content material creation, knowledge evaluation, and picture era. With extra flexibility in enter codecs and artistic use circumstances, ChatGPT is best suited to private {and professional} duties, whereas CoPilot is the go-to for Microsoft ecosystem customers.

Q. Gemini vs. ChatGPT: Which one is the perfect AI chatbot?

Gemini units itself aside with real-time web entry by way of Google Search and fact-checking, making it splendid for these needing correct info. It is likely one of the greatest AI chatbot for analysis. Its bigger context window permits for prolonged conversations, and the “double-check with Google” characteristic ensures transparency.

ChatGPT, alternatively, is extra versatile. Whereas it doesn’t browse the web within the free model, it helps a number of enter varieties and excels in artistic and analytical duties. Additionally it is among the best AI chatbots for coding.  If supply accuracy is your precedence, go together with Gemini. For an all-around answer, ChatGPT stays a dependable selection.

Q. How do AI chatbots work?

AI-powered chatbots depend on massive language fashions (LLMs) like OpenAI’s GPT or Google’s Gemini. They course of and perceive textual content utilizing pure language processing (NLP) and reply based mostly on patterns and coaching knowledge.

Q. Do AI chatbots retailer or use my knowledge?

Some AI chatbots, like ChatGPT, could use your knowledge to coach fashions except you decide out. Others, like Claude, don’t use inputs for coaching with out express permission. All the time overview the chatbot’s privateness coverage.

Q. Methods to create an AI chatbot?

• Resolve what your chatbot will do–buyer help, content material creation, or lead era.
• Use instruments like Dialogflow, Kore.ai, or Gleen AI for no-code options, or frameworks like Rasa or OpenAI APIs for extra customization.
• Outline intents (consumer targets) and entities (key particulars), and map out dialog flows.
• Add coaching knowledge like FAQs or paperwork and use NLP instruments to boost response accuracy.
• Check in real-world eventualities and combine into web sites, apps, or messaging platforms. Use analytics to enhance responses and replace the chatbot usually.

Q. How a lot does an AI chatbot value?

Chatbot prices fluctuate broadly. Free plans can be found on instruments like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini, however superior options or enterprise options can vary from $20/month to hundreds yearly, relying on customization and scalability wants.

Q. How do I select the proper AI chatbot?

Determine your wants—whether or not general-purpose use, artistic duties, or enterprise functions. Evaluate instruments based mostly on options, pricing, ease of use, and free trial availability.

Chat your means free of charge

After spending numerous hours testing, chatting, and infrequently laughing at AI quirks, I can confidently say that AI chatbots have come a great distance. Whether or not it’s ChatGPT for on a regular basis duties, Claude for pure and fascinating conversations, or Gleen AI for constructing business-focused bots, there’s one thing on the market for everybody.

As somebody who’s all the time searching for methods to avoid wasting time, and be extra productive, these AI chatbots have genuinely impressed me. Certain, they’re not excellent, and free variations typically include limits. However even with their quirks, they’ve turn out to be invaluable instruments for work and play.

For those who’re simply beginning out, begin with the free variations, take a look at what works for you, and see how these AI chatbots can match into your day by day life. And who is aware of? You would possibly simply discover your new favourite digital companion. Blissful chatting!

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