Top 5 ChatGPT Alternatives in "August" 2023 (Free and Paid)

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ChatGPT, powered by OpenAI's GPT-3 language model, has gained immense popularity as an AI chatbot. Recently, the launch of GPT-4 has further enhanced its capabilities, along with the availability of ChatGPT plugins. However, the downside is that ChatGPT's servers often get overloaded, preventing users from accessing the bot. In this article, I will discuss 10 of the best AI bots available today. These bots can be used for a variety of tasks, such as customer service, education, and entertainment.

1. Microsoft Bing
Microsoft Bing AI is currently one of the leading alternatives to ChatGPT in the market. The upgraded search engine utilizes an enhanced version of the ChatGPT model, initially referred to as the "Prometheus model" but later confirmed to be GPT-4. The new Bing features a Chat mode that incorporates web queries, enabling users to request contextual information based on their searches. This AI-powered bot and search engine recently introduced various new capabilities, including improved visual answers, enhanced accuracy, and the Bing Image Creator. Similar to ChatGPT, Bing allows users to plan trips, discover recipes, seek advice, and more. While it was previously accessible through a waitlist, this impressive alternative to ChatGPT is now accessible to all users.

2. Perplexity AI
Perplexity AI is an alternative to ChatGPT that has also been trained on OpenAI's API, resulting in effective and well-formed responses. The website itself follows a minimalist design and offers user-friendly functionality. Similar to ChatGPT, Perplexity allows for conversational interactions and provides responses ranging from simple to nuanced. However, what sets Perplexity apart is its unique feature of citing the sources it uses to answer queries. Each sentence is attributed to a specific source, such as Wikipedia, which the AI derives its information from. During my usage of the AI, I carefully examined the sources to identify any instances of copy-pasting, but I couldn't find any. This indicates that Perplexity demonstrates a commendable level of diligence in its responses.

I engaged in various conversations with this chatbot and found that it was capable of maintaining coherence without appearing confused. Additionally, Perplexity offers a co-pilot mode powered by GPT-4, which can respond with clarifying questions and assist in refining searches. The website even provides a visually appealing dark mode.

The best part is that Perplexity AI is completely free to use and doesn't require creating an account. So, you can chat with this ChatGPT-like tool and explore its citations. Feel free to give it a try.

3. Google Bard AI
Since the viral popularity of ChatGPT, many users have been keeping an eye on Google for its response. Google remained silent for a considerable period as it was concerned about the potential misuse of its chatbot AI. However, the company has recently made Google Bard available. Bard is an experimental conversational AI service powered by Google's latest PaLM 2 LLM, which is their own advanced language and conversational model. While initially accessible to a limited number of individuals, Google Bard is now open for immediate use by anyone. Excitingly, Google is also incorporating generative AI into its search engine, which is expected to bring about significant changes. Soon, users will be able to find quick answers to their questions at the top of search results. Our curiosity led us to create a comparison between ChatGPT and Bard, as well as a comparison between Google Bard and MS Bing Chat. The results were intriguing, as Bard showcased unique performance characteristics. We encourage you to check out the comparisons and let us know if you intend to use this alternative to ChatGPT.

4. Jasper Chat
Jasper, a prominent player in the AI content generation field, has gained widespread popularity among users. In addition to its content generation capabilities and other services, Jasper offers a relatively new chatbot called Jasper Chat. This alternative to ChatGPT is also built on GPT 3.5 and incorporates various language models in partnership with OpenAI. However, unlike ChatGPT, which caters to a broad user base, Jasper Chat is specifically designed for businesses in areas such as advertising and marketing.

Nevertheless, Jasper Chat can still be utilized by anyone seeking an AI chatbot similar to ChatGPT. The company claims that Jasper Chat has been trained on billions of articles and diverse information sources in 29 languages, up until mid-2021. While it may not have the most up-to-date information, it is capable of engaging in medium to complex conversations. Moreover, there is a convenient toggle that allows users to include Google search data, enhancing its capabilities.

During my interactions with Jasper Chat, it proved to be a reliable chat companion. I tested the chatbot with riddles, video script writing, jokes, and tongue twisters. I even tried a couple of ad copy requests, and it performed well in those areas too. Jasper Chat possesses contextual memory, enabling it to remember past prompts. However, it is important to note that Jasper explicitly states that it is not a research engine, and all outputs should be fact-checked.

5. Chatsonic
Chatsonic has emerged as one of the latest and comprehensive alternatives to ChatGPT, gaining significant attention in recent times. It is built on the foundation of ChatGPT, inheriting its extensive potential. However, this AI chatbot sets itself apart by offering additional features and broader knowledge, as it can access the Internet—an ability that its predecessor lacks. By utilizing internet results, Chatsonic can provide accurate information, making it less prone to errors. The chatbot also possesses the capability to remember conversations and draw upon them to maintain continuity. It even includes 16 different personas, ranging from an accountant to a poet, allowing users to engage in conversations with various virtual personalities.

Unlike ChatGPT, Chatsonic allows users to interact with the AI using their microphones, similar to Google Assistant and Siri, and the AI can respond in voice if desired. Furthermore, after concluding a conversation, users have the option to share the replies through links or in Word/PDF documents. Overall, my experience with Chatsonic was positive, as I found it to present information in a better manner compared to ChatGPT, thanks to its access to the Internet and up-to-date information.

In addition to text-based interactions, Chatsonic features a built-in image generator that can create decent images based on the prompts provided. While the bot is not entirely free, it offers 25 free generations per day. Beyond that limit, users can utilize their Writesonic word balance to generate more images. For those seeking additional usage, there is a long-form plan available starting at a low price of $12.67 per month. Moreover, Chatsonic can be conveniently accessed through its browser extension and Android app, offering flexibility in usage.

In conclusion, there are several noteworthy alternatives to ChatGPT that have gained prominence in recent times. Microsoft Bing AI, Perplexity AI, Google Bard, Jasper Chat, and Chatsonic each offer unique features and capabilities, catering to different user needs. These alternatives leverage advanced language models, access to the internet, and enhanced conversational abilities to provide accurate and engaging AI-powered chat experiences.

While Microsoft Bing AI and Google Bard bring the power of well-established companies like Microsoft and Google to the table, Perplexity AI and Chatsonic offer user-friendly interfaces and additional functionalities such as source citations, contextual memory, and image generation. Jasper Chat focuses on serving businesses in the advertising and marketing industry but remains accessible for general use.

It's worth noting that these alternatives, while impressive in their own right, have their own limitations and users are encouraged to fact-check the information provided. Overall, the growing ecosystem of ChatGPT alternatives showcases the progress made in AI-powered chatbot technologies and provides users with a range of options to explore based on their specific requirements.