As AI-powered assistants mature, more free AI chatbots are available that cover writing, coding, productivity, research and even mental wellness. As the author of NocostTools (a directory of 100+ free online utilities), Iโve tested many such tools. Here are five standout free chatbots (aside from ChatGPT), what makes each unique, and how they can help developers and students. Iโll also share how these fit into real workflows and point you to nocosttools.com for even more AI-powered tools.
1. Google Gemini (formerly Bard)
Features: Googleโs Gemini chatbot (formerly Bard) is a powerful generative AI assistant that understands and generates text (and images) in multiple languages. Itโs built on Googleโs latest large language model and seamlessly integrates with Google Search, providing access to up-to-date information. In practice, Gemini can draft essays, brainstorm ideas, answer factual questions, translate languages, and even help write code snippets.
Pros: Because it taps Googleโs search index in real time, Gemini often provides very current, factual answers with sources. Itโs also free to use with a Google account. The responses are generally fluent and knowledgeable across many domains (writing, Q&A, planning).
Use Cases: Students can use Gemini to brainstorm essay outlines, summarize articles, or clarify concepts. Developers can use it to explain algorithms or debug simple code. It excels at creative writing (poems, stories) and general Q&A where having the latest info matters.
Platforms: Accessible in any web browser via bard.google.com (or google.com/gemini) on desktop and mobile. A Google account is required to sign in. Thereโs no standalone app yet.
โGemini, formerly known as Bard, is a generative AI chatbot developed by Googleโฆlaunched in 2023 in response to the rise of OpenAIโs ChatGPTโ.
2. Microsoft Copilot (Bing Chat)
Features: Microsoft Copilot (formerly Bing Chat) is an AI chat assistant built into the Microsoft Edge sidebar and Bing search engine. It runs on OpenAIโs GPT-4 model, letting it handle complex queries. Copilot can generate content ranging from short answers to essays, code, and summaries. Notably, it can read the current webpage (with permission) and summarize it or extract key points. It even integrates with Microsoft Designer to create simple images or designs from text prompts.
Pros: Copilot is free and available without a separate subscription (just use Microsoft Edge or go to bing.com). It provides concise answers to search-style questions and can cite sources. It supports over 100 languages and can write everything from code to creative content. Because itโs integrated with Bing Search, it often has up-to-date knowledge.
Use Cases: Developers can ask Copilot to write or review code, generate unit tests, or compare technologies in a side-by-side table. Students and writers can use it to draft reports, explain topics, or find quick summaries of news and research. Its ability to parse and summarize web pages makes it great for productivity โ e.g. โWhat are the key takeaways of this article?โ
Platforms: Currently built into Microsoft Edge (and the Bing mobile app). Simply click the Copilot icon in Edgeโs toolbar or visit bing.com/chat. Microsoft plans to roll it out to more platforms (e.g. Edge mobile soon). No separate download is needed if you have the Edge browser.
โCopilot can serve as a chat tool [and] write different types of content from poems to songs to stories to reportsโฆ[and] provide the user with information and insights on the website page open in the browserโ. It even cites its sources like Google Gemini now does.
3. Anthropic Claude
Features: Claude is an AI assistant from Anthropic designed for safe, reliable text generation. It comes in multiple versions (e.g. Claude 3 Sonnet/Opus, Claude 4) optimized for tasks like coding and complex reasoning. Claude can chat naturally, analyze documents or data, and even generate visual โartifactsโ (interactive reports). Through Claude Code, it offers specialized coding help. It maintains long context, so it can process large documents or lengthy conversations.
Pros: Claudeโs strength is its depth on text and code. It tends to give thoughtful, elaborated answers and handles multi-step tasks well. For example, it can explain complex concepts step-by-step or help debug a segment of code. According to reviewers, Claude often edges out others โfor users focused on sophisticated text and code workโ. It also supports a voice mode for on-the-go chatting, and you can upload documents or images for analysis.
Use Cases: Use Claude to brainstorm or polish writing projects, conduct deep research on a topic (it can remember the context of your conversation), or assist with software development (it can write, explain, and critique code in many languages). Iโve used it to draft technical documentation, review algorithms, and even to prototype simple web code via voice prompts.
Platforms: Free access to Claude is available at claude.ai on the web, and there are official iOS and Android apps. (A free sign-up is required.) Claude offers a free tier (โfree open betaโ) but does impose a daily message limit to manage demand. (Paid โClaude Proโ plans lift these limits.)
โClaude is best for users focused on sophisticated text and code work. Its more natural writing style [and] powerful coding capabilitiesโฆmake it the superior choice for developers, writers, and analysts who need depthโ. Note: the free Claude.ai plan has a daily message limit that resets each morning.
4. Perplexity AI
Features: Perplexity AI bills itself as an โAI-powered answer engineโ โ think of it as a conversational search assistant. You type a question and it uses LLMs (like GPT-4, Claude, etc.) along with real-time web search to craft a concise answer. Unlike a normal search engine, it directly answers your question and highlights where each fact came from. Answers come with numbered inline citations that link to the sources (news articles, research papers, docs). It even lets you upload files (PDFs, images, spreadsheets) and ask questions about their content.
Pros: Perplexity is free (with optional Pro upgrades) and very good for research and fact-checking. By providing sources for every fact, it builds trust in its answers. It stays up-to-date by querying the web in real time, so itโs excellent for current events, the latest tech news, or verifying data. Users report that it โhelps you find the right answers faster and more reliablyโ by cutting through link-hunting. Its UI is clean and distraction-free, and it even supports an โAI Copilotโ mode for step-by-step inquiries.
Use Cases: Ideal for homework, research or any task needing reliable information. For example, students can ask Perplexity to compare scientific theories, summarize papers, or explain historical events. Programmers can ask it coding questions or have it pull relevant code examples from StackOverflow or docs. Because Perplexity remembers context, you can ask a follow-up question (like โWhat about X?โ) without restating the whole query.
Platforms: Perplexity is web-based. You can use it at perplexity.ai on any browser. (It also has an official iOS app.) There is no account needed for basic use, though signing up gives higher usage limits and access to the โSpacesโ feature for organizing queries.
โPerplexity.ai merges the speed and breadth of traditional web search with the summarization and reasoning power of AIโ, offering โreal-time search, citations, and basic chat capabilitiesโ on a free tier. Unlike normal chatbots, Perplexity provides clickable source links in each answer.
5. Wysa (Mental Wellness Chatbot)
Features: Wysa is an AI companion focused on mental health and self-care. Itโs a friendly chatbot (with a penguin mascot) that you can vent to or use as a โhappiness buddy.โ Wysa employs evidence-based techniques โ cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), mindfulness and meditation exercises โ all guided through conversational prompts. It is empathetic, non-judgmental, and available 24/7. Wysa can help you track mood, practice breathing/relaxation, reframe negative thoughts, and set self-improvement goals.
Pros: Wysaโs core chat functionality is completely free and anonymous, making it easy to try out. It uses research-backed methods to support well-being. (For instance, over a million people have used it, and 93% report finding it helpful.) Because itโs focused on mental wellness, it can guide you step-by-step (e.g. โhelp me sleepโ or โdeal with stressโ), which general chatbots usually donโt specialize in. Plus, Wysaโs creators emphasize privacy and safety โ it โwill never judgeโ and keeps conversations confidential.
Use Cases: Use Wysa when you need emotional support, stress relief, or simple coping strategies. Students preparing for exams or anyone under pressure can โtalkโ through anxieties, practice mindfulness, or get tips for better sleep. Itโs also helpful for daily check-ins: you can log how youโre feeling, and Wysa will suggest exercises or challenges. In short, itโs like an on-demand wellness coach.
Platforms: Wysa is a mobile app (iOS and Android) thatโs free to download. The basic chatbot and self-help exercises are free. (Wysa also offers paid โcoachโ services, but these are optional.)
โWysa is used by more than a million peopleโฆ Research-backedโฆCBT, DBT, and meditation are employed to support you with depression, stress, anxiety, [and] sleepโ. Itโs โfree, anonymous, and low-pressureโ โ though it explicitly notes itโs not a substitute for professional care.
Conclusion
These five free AI chatbots each have their strengths: Google Gemini and Microsoft Copilot excel at information and content creation (with real-time web context), Claude shines at in-depth text and code work, Perplexity is ideal for reliable research with sources, and Wysa supports your mental well-being. None of them is just ChatGPT โ they offer unique features (search integration, coding tools, wellness guidance, etc.) that can complement or even surpass ChatGPT in specific tasks.
In my experience running NocostTools.com, combining multiple free AI chatbots assistants yields the best results. For example, I might use Perplexity to gather facts for a report, Gemini to help draft it, Claude to proofread or expand sections, and Copilot to generate illustrative code snippets โ all without spending a dime.
For readers wanting more free AI utilities, check out NocostTools.com. It curates 100+ no-cost web tools (text editors, converters, calculators, SEO helpers and more) including a section on AI tools. The platforms above are among those recommended on NocostTools for โFree AI Chatbotsโ โ so you can easily find and try them out.
FAQs
- Q: What makes an AI chatbot โfreeโ?
A: A free AI chatbots allows basic access without payment. Each of the bots above offers a no-cost tier: e.g. Claude.aiโs free plan (with a daily message cap), Perplexityโs free search-based chat, and Wysaโs free wellness chat. You may need to sign up (often with an email) to use them, but they do not require subscription fees for core features. - Q: How do these differ from ChatGPT?
A: They differ in capability and focus. For example, Copilot/Bing Chat is essentially a GPT-4 chat tied to Bing Search (great for up-to-date info and web context), while Perplexity is a search-first answer engine. Claude emphasizes depth and safety (useful for long documents or coding). Wysa is designed specifically for wellbeing, using CBT/DBT techniques, whereas ChatGPT is a general-purpose chatbot. In practice, some of these (like Copilot or Gemini) may use similar underlying models, but their interfaces and additional features (source citations, tools integration) make them distinct. - Q: Are there limitations on these โfreeโ chatbots?
A: Generally, yes. Free tiers often have usage limits. For instance, Claudeโs free plan lets you send only so many messages per day, and Perplexityโs free tier has a cap on queries. Some features may be slower during peak times. None of these bots guarantees 100% accuracy (they can still โhallucinateโ occasionally), so itโs wise to double-check important info. On the bright side, you can usually upgrade to paid plans if you need higher limits, but for casual student or developer use, the free level is often sufficient. - Q: Do I need special apps or accounts?
A: Most of these chatbots run in a web browser or free mobile app. For example, Gemini and Perplexity are used via any browser, Claude has a website and mobile apps, and Wysa has a mobile app. Copilot is built into Microsoft Edge (and the Bing website). You will need to create a (free) account with each provider to save chats or use advanced features, but no credit card is required for the free versions. - Q: Where can I find more free AI tools?
A: Beyond chatbots, there are many free AI utilities (image generators, writing assistants, code helpers, etc.). A great resource is NocostTools.com, which I maintain. It lists over 100 free online tools (text editors, converters, calculators, SEO helpers and more) all in one place. It includes an โAIโ section with chatbots and other AI services, so itโs worth bookmarking for when you need a no-cost tool for any task.
