Ever feel like you’re talking to a robot and wish it were just a little bit smarter? You’re not alone. AI chatbots have evolved rapidly, offering powerful tools for productivity, creativity, and problem-solving. In this article, we’ll explore the top AI chatbots available today—from ChatGPT and Claude to Microsoft Copilot, Google Gemini, and the rising star DeepSeek. We’ll also cover how you can build your own chatbot with tools like Zapier.
Let’s dive in!
1. ChatGPT by OpenAI
You’ve probably heard of ChatGPT—it’s one of the most popular AI chatbots today. Powered by GPT-4o, it’s faster, more responsive, and incredibly versatile. Think of it as a Swiss Army knife for text-based tasks.
What Can ChatGPT Do?
✔ Writing Assistance: Draft emails, brainstorm ideas, or even write full YouTube scripts.
✔ Multimodal Capabilities: Upload images or PDFs and ask questions about them.
✔ Web Search: Get live results with cited sources (available in ChatGPT Plus).
✔ Customization: Use Canvas to edit long-form text side-by-side, tweak tone, or refine drafts.
✔ Advanced Features (Plus Version): Access custom GPTs, memory, projects, and video generation.
Best For: Writers, marketers, developers, and anyone needing a general-purpose AI assistant.
👉 Try it for free at ChatGPT.com.
2. Build Your Own AI Chatbot with Zapier
Want a custom chatbot trained on your own data? Zapier’s AI Chatbot tool lets you create one in minutes.
Key Features:
✔ Train on Your Data: Use your website, documents, or even Zapier tables.
✔ Fully Customizable: Adjust personality, colors, logos, and conversation logic.
✔ Easy Deployment: Share via a unique URL or embed it directly on your site.
✔ Automation-Friendly: Connects with thousands of apps (e.g., track leads, auto-follow-ups).
Best For: Businesses, customer support, and lead generation.
👉 Explore Zapier’s AI Chatbot here.
3. Claude by Anthropic
If you prefer a thoughtful, mentor-like AI, Claude is a standout choice. Many users say it feels more like talking to a trusted professor than a robot.
Why Choose Claude?
✔ Adaptable Tone: Adjust its style to be concise, formal, or friendly.
✔ Great for Learning: Excellent at explaining concepts (e.g., coding with interactive examples).
✔ Document Processing: Handles PDFs, images, and long texts effectively.
Limitations:
❌ No image generation or web browsing.
❌ Message limits apply depending on your plan.
Best For: Writers, educators, and those who value nuanced, high-quality responses.
4. Microsoft Copilot
Microsoft’s AI assistant is everywhere—Windows, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, and Edge.

What Makes Copilot Special?
✔ Deep Microsoft 365 Integration:
- Outlook: Summarize emails, draft replies.
- Word: Rewrite and refine text.
- Excel: Generate formulas (e.g., VLOOKUP) and visualize data.
✔ Multimodal Input: Works via text, voice, and images.
✔ Creative Tools: Generate images, songs, and more.
Best For: Office professionals, data analysts, and Microsoft ecosystem users.
5. Google Gemini (Formerly Bard)
Gemini is deeply integrated with Google Search, Gmail, Drive, and YouTube, making it a powerful assistant for Google users.
Gemini’s Strengths:
✔ Real-Time Web Search: Get cited answers with fact-checking.
✔ Google Workspace Integration:
- Type @Gmail, @Drive, or @Calendar to pull data.
- Summarize emails, documents, or YouTube videos.
✔ Multimodal Features: Extract text from images, generate illustrations.
Best For: Researchers, content creators, and Google power users.
6. DeepSeek – The Rising Open-Source AI
A newcomer making waves, DeepSeek is fast, open-source, and excels at complex reasoning.
Why Consider DeepSeek?
✔ Chain-of-Thought Reasoning: Shows step-by-step solutions (great for math/code).
✔ Free & Cost-Efficient: More affordable than ChatGPT.
✔ Strong in Coding & Writing: Generates poetry, essays, and technical content.
Limitations:
❌ Slightly slower responses than ChatGPT.
❌ Hosted in China (privacy considerations).
Best For: Developers, researchers, and those who prefer open-source AI.
Which AI Chatbot Should You Use?
| Chatbot | Best For | Key Strength |
|---|---|---|
| ChatGPT | General use, writing, coding | Versatile, multimodal |
| Zapier AI | Custom chatbots, automation | Train on your own data |
| Claude | Thoughtful, mentor-like responses | Adaptable tone, learning |
| Copilot | Microsoft 365 users | Deep Office integration |
| Gemini | Google ecosystem | Real-time search, Gmail/Drive access |
| DeepSeek | Open-source, reasoning | Step-by-step problem-solving |
Final Thoughts
Each AI chatbot has unique strengths, so the best choice depends on your needs:
- Need an all-rounder? → ChatGPT
- Want deep Google integration? → Gemini
- Prefer open-source? → DeepSeek
- Building a custom bot? → Zapier AI
Which one are you using? Share your thoughts below!