# AI apps compared: useful strengths and everyday trade-offs

ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini, Claude, Kimi, DeepSeek and more: choose by the job, the connections and what gets in your way.

Evidence: source-verified | Updated: 2026-10-25 | Edition: codex

Tool focus: chatgpt, gemini, claude, copilot, perplexity, kimi, deepseek, qwen, grok, mistral | General applicability: Not tagged

## Compare the app you will actually use

People often say “which LLM is best?” when they mean which app to open. The model matters, but so do the search tools, file handling, connected accounts and interface around it. A model leaderboard does not tell you whether an app can read your work inbox.

Here is our practical take on where to start and what to check. These are editorial choices based on the documented features, not scores from a head-to-head test.

| App | Why consider it | The trade-off |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **ChatGPT** | A starting point for back-and-forth, drafting and tasks that can grow into Work. | Chat, Work and Codex have different interfaces and access; choose the right experience. |
| **Gemini** | Worth considering if you want connected Google apps alongside your questions. | Connected app availability depends on account, device and settings; signing in alone is not enough. |
| **Claude** | Consider it for discussing an idea and revising writing in conversation. | Chatting with Claude, using Cowork and developing with Claude Code are different experiences. |
| **Copilot** | A logical place to start when your work is already in Outlook. | Consumer chat and work Outlook access are different; broader work context can need a licensed add-on. |
| **Perplexity** | Useful when you want an answer with source links to explore. | A citation is a route to check a claim, not a guarantee that the whole answer follows from it. |
| **Kimi** | Another option for working through text, with agent tasks available in its wider product. | Desktop agent work needs more setup than opening a chat; free trial credits do not establish ongoing agent cost. |
| **DeepSeek** | Free consumer chat provides another place to ask the same everyday question. | Its desktop Harness and developer products are separate from the simple mobile chat entry. |
| **Qwen** | Another free consumer assistant to try for ideas and writing. | The consumer assistant and a developer API are different entry points; pick the chat link in our app guide. |
| **Grok** | Another free chat option when you want a second take on a question. | Its free tier has limited chat requests; check the plan for a particular extra feature. |
| **Mistral Vibe** | A free web/mobile alternative for trying everyday chat tasks. | The free plan restricts messages and web searches; complex agent work is a separate decision. |

## Choose by the friction you want to remove

If your employer already gives you Copilot, start there. You can use [Copilot-specific guides and general tips that fit it](/en/explore/?tool=copilot) without signing up for another app.

If you live in Google apps, check which connections Gemini actually offers your account. If you are looking up a topic, compare the source experience. If you write a lot, try one real message in two apps and see which needs fewer changes.

For Kimi, DeepSeek, Qwen and the other chat links, our [app guide](/codex/en/choose-your-first-ai/) gets you to the consumer version.

## What counts as a con for you?

A polished answer is not much help if you cannot open the source file, use it in your workplace, or get the language and tone you want. Give both apps the same task and notice the practical differences: how much context you had to add, what you had to correct, and whether you could use the result.

We have not ranked Chinese fluency, reasoning accuracy or speed here. Those need a defined test and actual results. Instead, [try the comparison on something you need](/codex/en/compare-ai-tools-fairly/). You may prefer different apps for different jobs.

## References

- [OpenAI: choose Chat, Work or Codex](https://learn.chatgpt.com/docs/use-chatgpt)
- [Microsoft: chat with Copilot in Outlook](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/outlook/copilot-outlook/chat-with-copilot-in-outlook)
- [Google: Gemini Connected Apps](https://support.google.com/gemini/answer/13695044?hl=en)
- [Claude: getting started](https://support.claude.com/en/articles/8114491-get-started-with-claude)
- [Perplexity: answer engine and citations](https://www.perplexity.ai/help-center/en/articles/10352155-what-is-perplexity)
- [Kimi: chat and agent work](https://www.kimi.ai/resources/kimi-work-introduction)
- [DeepSeek: chat apps](https://www.deepseek.com/en/download/)
- [Qwen: consumer assistant](https://qwen.ai/qwenchat)
- [Grok: plans](https://x.ai/pricing)
- [Mistral: plans](https://mistral.ai/pricing/)