The Rise Of ChatGPT And Its Alternatives: Exploring The Best Options In 2024

You must have seen how explodingly popular ChatGPT has become on the internet. The chatbot is based on OpenAI’s GPT-4o model, allowing users to converse with the AI. But that also brought a big downside with ChatGPT’s servers being overloaded with users. This has locked users out of using the handy bot when needed. So, if you are one of the folks who find ChatGPT frequently down, you can follow our list of the best ChatGPT alternatives in 2024.

Google Gemini (Formerly Bard)

Google Gemini stands out as one of the closest competitors to ChatGPT. Just like ChatGPT, Gemini is free to use, powered by the Gemini 1.5 Flash model. It excels in creative tasks, often outperforming ChatGPT in this area. However, it falls slightly short in reasoning and coding tasks when compared to the paid version of ChatGPT Plus, which utilizes the more advanced GPT-4o.

One notable feature of Google Gemini is its ability to allow users to upload and generate images, as well as upload files such as PDFs and documents. With integrated Google Search, users can access the latest information and even chat with content from YouTube videos and Google Drive files.

In tests comparing Gemini and ChatGPT, Gemini has shown a higher accuracy rate in reasoning tasks, demonstrating Google's commitment to providing a robust AI tool for free users. This makes it a valuable alternative when ChatGPT is not accessible.

Pros	Cons
Excellent for creative writing and research	Commonsense reasoning can be weak
Fast response times
Supports image analysis and generation
Allows file uploads
Integration with Google services

Pricing: Free, with Gemini Advanced starting at $20 per month, including a free trial with Google One benefits.

Claude

Another formidable competitor in the AI chatbot space is Claude, developed by Anthropic. This tool has gained attention for its advanced capabilities, particularly in coding and reasoning tasks, often surpassing ChatGPT. Claude offers a large context window of 200,000 tokens, which allows it to process extensive data inputs effectively.

Claude is designed to be user-friendly, with the ability to upload documents, including PDFs and spreadsheets, and even perform image analysis. It also supports multiple languages, making it accessible to a broader audience.

The free version of Claude, powered by the Claude 3.5 Sonnet model, has some limitations, but for those who want an unrestricted experience, the Claude Pro subscription offers enhanced features for $23.60 per month.

Pros	Cons
Large context length for complex input	No internet access
Supports document uploads and image analysis	Message capping for free users
Top-tier model available for free

Pricing: Free, with Claude Pro starting at $23.60 per month.

Microsoft Copilot

Microsoft Copilot is emerging as a strong competitor to ChatGPT, offering free access to the GPT-4 Turbo model during non-peak hours. This integration with Bing allows it to provide the latest information and analyses, making it a versatile tool for various tasks.

Copilot also features image generation through DALL-E 3 and can cite sources, enhancing its reliability. Microsoft has introduced a paid version, Copilot Pro, for $20 per month, which provides priority access to the Turbo model and additional functionalities within Microsoft Office applications.

In tests comparing Copilot with ChatGPT, it has demonstrated superior performance in generating accurate responses, highlighting its capabilities as a formidable alternative.

Pros	Cons
Free access during non-peak hours	Response times can vary
Image generation and analysis features	No file uploads for free users
Cites sources for information	No access to GPT-4o yet

Pricing: Free, with Copilot Pro starting at $20 per month.

Meta AI

Meta AI has unveiled its Llama 3.1 models, including a ChatGPT-like platform that allows users to interact with AI. Unlike ChatGPT, Meta AI is completely free to use and supports image generation capabilities.

Users can communicate with Meta AI through various platforms, including WhatsApp and Messenger, making it an accessible option for many. While it has shown promise in performance, it currently lacks the ability to analyze images or files, with future updates expected to enhance its functionalities.

Meta AI is a great choice for users looking for a free alternative to ChatGPT, although its current limitations in reasoning tasks may affect its overall effectiveness.

Pros	Cons
Free to use with impressive performance	No internet access
Supports image generation	Cannot process images and files yet
Open-source and accessible	Requires a Facebook account

Pricing: Free.

Mistral Chat

Mistral Chat is gaining traction in the AI space, powered by the Mistral Large 2 model. This tool has been recognized for its advanced reasoning capabilities and supports multiple languages, making it a versatile alternative to ChatGPT.

Mistral Chat has been tested and shown to perform well in complex reasoning tasks, often matching or exceeding ChatGPT's capabilities. It is available for free, providing users with a cost-effective solution for their AI needs.

Pros	Cons
Great for complex reasoning and coding	No internet access
Fluent in multiple languages	No extra features like plugins

Pricing: Free.

Perplexity AI

Perplexity AI combines the functionalities of a search engine with an AI chatbot, allowing users to engage in conversations while sourcing information from various platforms. It provides limited access to GPT-4 and Claude 3.5 for free users.

With capabilities to cite sources and provide product recommendations, Perplexity AI stands out as a reliable alternative for users looking for the latest information on various topics.

Pros	Cons
Good conversational experience	Limited reasoning capabilities
Cites sources for answers	Free version has limited queries

Pricing: Free, with Perplexity Pro costing $20 per month.

Grok 2

The Grok 2 model, developed by xAI, has demonstrated impressive performance in benchmark tests, nearly matching ChatGPT. It is available through a subscription service, providing users with access to a powerful AI chatbot.

Despite some concerns regarding the model's image generation capabilities, Grok 2 remains a strong option for users looking for a capable AI alternative.