Overview

ChatGPT is OpenAI's chat assistant. It can search the web, talk by voice, make images and run tasks in agent mode.

Best for

People who want one assistant for most things.

Skip it if

Skip it if you mostly write; our pick for writing is Claude.

Pricing

Free $0. Go $8/mo (may show ads). Plus $20/mo. Pro from $100/mo (three usage tiers). Business from 2 users. Checked Oct 14, 2026 on the official pricing page.

Pros

  • Has a free plan.
  • Chat, search, voice and agent mode in one place.
  • Go costs $8 a month.

Cons

  • The Go plan may show ads.
  • Our pick for writing is Claude.
  • Free has limits on uploads, images and deep research.

How it compares

ChatGPT is our Best pick for the best all-round chatbot and for deep research reports. For the all-round pick the runner-up is Claude and the free pick is Gemini. For research the runner-up and free pick is Gemini.

Quick start

  1. Go to chatgpt.com.
  2. Type a message. Free includes unlimited text chats.
  3. Upgrade to Go or Plus for more uploads, images and research.

Verdict

The safe all-rounder. Start free.

Alternatives

Runner-upManusmanus.im

General-purpose AI agent that works in its own cloud computer.

free tierChecked Oct 14, 2026
Runner-upGemini Sparkgemini.google.com

Google's always-on assistant that runs in Google's cloud and works with Gmail, Calendar and Docs.

price unverifiedChecked Oct 14, 2026
Runner-upOpenClawopenclaw.ai

Open-source personal assistant you host yourself. You pay for your own model.

free tier · price unverifiedChecked Oct 14, 2026
Weekly email · Fridays

One email. The week's best new AI tools, and which one to use.

Free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.