The launch of ChatGPT in late 2022 completely changed the way we interact with technology. Now, AI can answer your questions in WhatsApp, summarize emails in Outlook, create custom emojis in iMessage, and even tackle complex topics with ease.
Since then, almost every major tech company has jumped into the chatbot race. Google has Gemini, Microsoft has Copilot, and Meta has its own AI. Even companies that aren’t building their own chatbots are getting involved—like Apple, which is teaming up with OpenAI to bring ChatGPT to iOS 18. Meanwhile, smaller startups like Anthropic’s Claude and Perplexity are proving they can compete with the tech giants.
At CNET, we tested all of these AI chatbots to help you find the best one (fun fact: doing this kind of rewired my brain). Below, you’ll find our list focused on free versions—though most AI chatbots also offer paid plans that work even better. That said, for most people, the free versions will handle about 90% of what you need.
What is the best AI chatbot of 2025 so far?
Right now, Claude by Anthropic is the best AI chatbot overall. That doesn’t mean ChatGPT or Perplexity aren’t good—they each have their own strengths and weaknesses. But Claude stands out because it gives well-rounded, thoughtful answers and is great at handling complex topics. For most people, it’s the most useful option.
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Best overall AI chatbot
Anthropic Claude
Pros
- Gives detailed, thoughtful answers
- Fast and well-organized
Cons
- Not connected to the internet
- Doesn’t automatically provide sources
Claude by Anthropic is CNET’s top pick for the best overall AI chatbot. That doesn’t mean it’s perfect or better at every single task, but it consistently delivers high-quality responses—outperforming free versions of Google, Microsoft, Perplexity, and OpenAI.
The biggest downsides? It doesn’t always link to sources, and there’s no Android app yet. If Anthropic gave Claude internet access and the ability to pull in links (for sources, shopping, and more), it could be the ultimate all-in-one chatbot. Even so, Claude’s thoughtful responses and ability to dive into deep conversations make it the most useful option out there. Plus, I like that it actually asks follow-up questions and keeps the conversation engaging.
Second-best AI chatbot
ChatGPT Free
Pros
- Gives detailed, well-explained answers
- Great for research, email writing, and recommendations
Cons
- Could include more historical context in explanations
- Can be slow at times
- Asking for sources can be a hassle
A strong runner-up is OpenAI’s ChatGPT-4o, which is now free—but with some limits. While free users can access ChatGPT-4o, OpenAI warns that when demand is high, they’ll be switched to the older 3.5 model. There’s also a cap: you can send up to 40 messages every three hours, though that limit may drop when usage spikes.
ChatGPT Free delivers solid, detailed answers, but compared to Claude, it falls just a little short in quality. When testing them side by side, I noticed Claude gave more in-depth responses, especially on complex political topics like the Israel-Palestine conflict. Like Claude, ChatGPT doesn’t link directly to outside sources—though if you ask, it might suggest things to Google or YouTube instead.
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Best AI chatbot for research
Perplexity
Pros
- Lists all sources used
- Provides clear, detailed answers in an easy-to-follow format
Cons
- Relies too much on Reddit and forums, which aren’t always reliable
When it comes to research, Perplexity did the best job in my testing. Unlike most AI chatbots, it includes plenty of links in its answers—pulling from news articles, Reddit posts, and even YouTube videos.
If you’re writing an essay or article, having proper sources is a big deal. Perplexity makes this easy by listing all its sources in a handy sidebar, so you can check them with a click. And thankfully, it doesn’t just pull from Wikipedia (which your professor would probably reject anyway).
The only catch? It leans heavily on forum posts and Reddit, which aren’t exactly academic or journalistic sources. While the info might be useful, you’ll probably need to double-check it against more credible references before using it.
Best AI chatbot for shopping
Google Gemini
Pros
- Great for shopping recommendations and product research
- Links directly to Amazon products
- Connected to the internet with an option to fact-check using Google Search
Cons
- Sometimes makes things up
- Avoids answering complex or sensitive topics
Google’s AI, Gemini, has a history of “hallucinating” (aka making stuff up). Just last month, Google had to roll back its AI overviews because it was suggesting things like eating rocks. When I first reviewed Gemini earlier this year, it was the lowest-rated chatbot of the bunch, scoring a disappointing 5/10.
But AI chatbots are always evolving, and Gemini has improved since my April review—though it still has a habit of inventing things. In my recent tests, it made up the name of a college professor and even an Adult Swim executive. And like Microsoft’s Copilot, it refuses to answer heavier political questions.
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That said, Gemini does shine in one area: how-to guides and shopping recommendations. When I asked how to cut a perfect circle in vinyl, it not only gave me step-by-step instructions but also linked to Amazon products that could help—something none of the other chatbots did. When it comes to shopping advice, Gemini is fast, to the point, and even shows you where to buy what you need.