# Best AI chat assistants Source: https://freeaicourses.com/tools/chat-assistants Last checked: 2026-10-02 (free plans and prices on each maker's own pricing page) ## Short answer Of the 4 AI chat assistants we rank, ChatGPT is our top pick at 9.0 out of 10. If you are new to this, start with Gemini. If you are experienced, try Claude. ChatGPT: Free plan with unlimited chats on the standard model and limited uploads. ## Sections ### ChatGPT (9.0 out of 10) The easiest place to start. Ask it to explain a concept three different ways, quiz you, or check your reasoning, and you'll learn faster than reading alone. Explaining ideas in plain English, drafting, and turning notes into practice questions. It sounds as sure when it's wrong as when it's right. Check anything that matters against a real source. Free plan with unlimited chats on the standard model and limited uploads. Go is US$8 a month; Plus is US$20 a month. ### Claude (8.8 out of 10) Strong at long documents and careful writing, and good company when you're reading and writing code. Summarising long papers, reviewing code, and talking through why something works. Like every assistant it can invent details. Ask it to show its reasoning and verify the result. Free plan for chat on web, desktop and mobile, including web search and file creation. Pro is US$17 a month billed yearly, or US$20 billed monthly. ### Gemini (8.4 out of 10) A capable all-rounder, and the obvious pick if you already live in Google's apps. It's a good second opinion next to ChatGPT or Claude. Everyday questions, working alongside Google Docs and Gmail, and comparing answers between assistants. Answers can change a lot between versions, so don't treat one reply as settled. Free with a Google Account. Google AI Plus is US$4.99 a month and Google AI Pro is US$19.99 a month (US prices). ### Microsoft Copilot (7.6 out of 10) A sensible choice if your work runs on Windows and Microsoft 365. It's familiar ground rather than the sharpest assistant. Quick questions and help inside the Microsoft apps you already use at work. What it can do depends a lot on which Microsoft plan you or your employer pays for. The Copilot app is free, with usage limits. Copilot inside Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook comes with Microsoft 365 Personal, from £8.49 a month. ## Best courses - Generative AI for Everyone - Introduction to Generative AI - ChatGPT Prompt Engineering for Developers ## Questions people ask ### What are the best AI chat assistants in 2026? Our top pick is ChatGPT (9.0/10), followed by Claude and Gemini. The easiest place to start. Ask it to explain a concept three different ways, quiz you, or check your reasoning, and you'll learn faster than reading alone. ### Which AI chat assistants are best for beginners? Start with Gemini, then try Microsoft Copilot. A capable all-rounder, and the obvious pick if you already live in Google's apps. It's a good second opinion next to ChatGPT or Claude. ### Which AI chat assistants are best for experts? ChatGPT is our pick for experienced users, with Claude close behind. The easiest place to start. Ask it to explain a concept three different ways, quiz you, or check your reasoning, and you'll learn faster than reading alone. ### What's the catch with ChatGPT? It sounds as sure when it's wrong as when it's right. Check anything that matters against a real source. ### Are there free courses that teach AI chat assistants? Yes. We recommend Generative AI for Everyone (DeepLearning.AI), Introduction to Generative AI (Google Cloud) and ChatGPT Prompt Engineering for Developers (DeepLearning.AI and OpenAI). Each one is free and reviewed on FreeAICourses.com. ### Which AI chat assistants have a free plan? ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini and Microsoft Copilot have a free plan or free version. ## Related pages - [Generative AI for Everyone](https://freeaicourses.com/courses/generative-ai-for-everyone) - [Introduction to Generative AI](https://freeaicourses.com/courses/google-introduction-to-generative-ai) - [ChatGPT Prompt Engineering for Developers](https://freeaicourses.com/courses/chatgpt-prompt-engineering-for-developers) - [Best AI writing tools](https://freeaicourses.com/tools/writing) - [Best AI research tools](https://freeaicourses.com/tools/research) - [Best AI image generators](https://freeaicourses.com/tools/image-generation) - [How to make a faceless video with AI](https://freeaicourses.com/workflows/faceless-explainer-video) - [How to make an AI avatar video](https://freeaicourses.com/workflows/ai-avatar-video) - [AI tool rankings](https://freeaicourses.com/tools)