Copilot Alternatives (2026): 10 Tools Compared

Microsoft Copilot is the AI assistant that's been added to Windows, the Edge browser and Microsoft 365. It's handy if your day already runs on Microsoft, but it isn't the only way to get help from an AI. You might not want an assistant tied to one company's apps, you might use a Mac or a phone most of the time, or you might simply prefer the way another assistant writes and explains things. That's why so many people search for Copilot alternatives.

This page lists ten alternatives to Copilot in no particular order, sorted alphabetically. I've taken every description from each tool's own website and help pages, so please check the current details before you rely on one. If you write code and landed here after using GitHub Copilot, you're after AI coding editors instead, which is a different list. For a wider look at how businesses use these assistants, my guide to everyday business uses of AI chat tools is a good place to start.

Copilot alternatives at a glance

In the free plan column, Yes means the tool's own site describes a permanent free option, usually with limits on use. Trial only means a free trial but no ongoing free plan. Limits and models change often with AI assistants, so it's worth checking before you start.

Tool	Type	Good for	Free plan
Brave Leo	Browser assistant	Private help while you browse	Yes
ChatGPT	General assistant	Writing, research and file questions	Yes
Claude	General assistant	Long documents and careful writing	Yes
Duck.ai	Private chat	Quick questions with chats not stored by default	Yes
Gemini	General assistant	People who live in Google apps	Yes
Grok	General assistant	Casual chat with daily free access	Yes
Meta AI	Social app assistant	Quick questions inside Meta apps	Yes
Mistral Vibe	Europe-based assistant	Chat, web search and simple tasks	Yes
Perplexity	Answer engine	Cited answers to research questions	Yes
Poe	Multi-model chat	Trying several AI models in one app	Yes

Ten AI assistants to consider instead of Copilot

Brave Leo

Best for: People who want an assistant built into their browser, to summarise pages and answer questions without leaving the tab.

ChatGPT

Best for: Anyone who wants one all-round assistant for drafting, brainstorming, research and questions about files they upload.

Claude

Best for: Writers and professionals who work with long documents and want considered, readable replies in a calm interface.

Duck.ai

Best for: Privacy-minded users who want to try several AI models from a search company known for not tracking you.

Gemini

Best for: Anyone with a Google account who wants an assistant that sits close to their email, documents and calendar.

Grok

Best for: Curious users who want a conversational assistant from xAI, available on the web and in mobile apps.

Meta AI

Best for: People who spend their day in Meta's apps and want an assistant, image tools and chat in one place.

Mistral Vibe

Best for: Users who want an assistant from a European AI company, with a work mode for multi-step jobs.

Perplexity

Best for: Researchers and curious readers who want short written answers with links back to the pages they came from.

Poe

Best for: Anyone who likes to compare different AI models side by side without signing up for each one separately.

What to look for in an AI assistant

Most assistants answer questions and draft text, so the real differences are in the details. These are the questions I'd ask before settling on one.

• Where you'll use it. Browser, phone app, desktop or inside the apps you already open every day.
• What it can work with. Can you upload documents, images or spreadsheets, or paste in long text?
• Sources. Does it show where an answer came from, and can you click through to check?
• Privacy settings. What does it store, and can you switch off chat history or training use?
• Writing style. Does the tone sound like something you'd send under your own name?
• Limits on the free option. Daily caps, model choices and file limits differ between assistants.

Which type of AI assistant suits which person

• Microsoft users who want an assistant that opens documents and email directly often stay with the built-in option, which is why it's not on this list.
• Google users may prefer the assistant that sits next to their calendar, email and documents.
• Researchers usually value an answer engine that shows its sources.
• Privacy-minded users might lean towards a tool that doesn't store chats by default.
• Curious experimenters can use an app that lets them try several models in one place.

If you're building a routine around one of these tools, my rundown of the AI tools I use each day shows how I fit them into real work.

Moving away from Copilot without losing your work

Before you switch, make a note of what you use your current assistant for. It's easy to forget the small jobs until they stop working.

• List your five most common tasks, such as summarising meetings, drafting emails or tidying notes.
• Run the same task through two or three alternatives and compare the results side by side.
• Check how each one handles files, because uploading a document is where assistants differ most.
• Copy any saved prompts or custom instructions across so you don't start from scratch.
• Keep your old setup running for a week or two until you're sure the new one covers your needs.

Mistakes to avoid when picking Copilot alternatives

• Choosing on a headline model name rather than on how the tool handles your own tasks.
• Pasting client details or passwords into any assistant before reading its privacy information.
• Trusting a confident answer without opening the sources or checking the date.
• Signing up for five assistants at once and getting to know none of them well.
• Forgetting that free limits can change, so a workflow that works today may need a rethink later.

Why a smaller AI assistant can be worth a look

Smaller assistants often do one thing well, such as showing sources, protecting privacy or letting you compare models, instead of trying to be everything. The trade-off is that they can change quickly, so check that the tool is still being updated, read its help pages and see how it treats your data before you commit. For a broader view of how this fits with the rest of your tools, my toolkit of AI tools for small business owners may help.

A short neutral note: AI assistants can get facts wrong, and what you type may be stored. This isn't legal or financial advice, so check each provider's terms for your own situation.

Do you make an AI assistant? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.

A short checklist before you choose among Copilot alternatives

Pick two that match your main need, then run the same five real tasks through each. Open the sources on every answer, look at the privacy settings and see which one you find easiest to check and correct. That tells you more than any feature list.

Frequently asked questions

Why look for an AI assistant other than Copilot?

People often want an assistant that works on their phone or Mac, suits their writing style, shows sources or gives them more control over privacy. The right choice depends on the tools you already use.

Are there free AI assistants?

Many offer a permanent free option with limits. Check each tool's own site for what the free option includes, because limits and models change often.

Is it safe to put business information into an AI assistant?

Be careful. Avoid client details, passwords or anything confidential until you've read the provider's privacy information and know what it stores.

Can an AI assistant replace a search engine?

It can speed up research, but answers can be wrong. Open the cited sources for anything you plan to act on or share.

What if I use GitHub Copilot for coding?

That's a different kind of tool. Developers usually look at AI coding editors instead, which need their own comparison.

Do I need to create an account?

It varies. Some assistants work without one, while others ask you to sign in to save history or use extra features.