The best AI assistants compared in 2026
Last reviewed on by Raoul Schreck
In this comparison ChatGPT fits everyday use best, Claude writing and code, Perplexity AI research with sources. Gemini suits a Google account, Copilot suits Windows and Microsoft 365. If you need EU hosting, Mistral Vibe and Langdock have it. Basis: the published information of 8 AI assistants, checked in October 2026.
In the comparison
We compared the published information of eight AI assistants and sorted them by use case: which tool fits which job best? The basis is the providers' pricing pages, privacy policies and help centers, checked in October 2026. We did not run our own hands-on tests for this edition.
Models and plans change every month. For every figure we name the source and the date we checked it.
Guides to the individual assistants: ChatGPT · Claude · Gemini · Copilot · All AI tools: the full list
Short answer
Which AI assistant for which job
Comparison
AI chatbots compared
| Tool | Best for | Price from | Web search with sources | Provider region |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 ChatGPT | versatile all-rounder for work and everyday use | from 8 EUR/month | Ja | USA |
| Claude | long texts, analysis and coding | from 18 EUR/month | Ja | USA |
| Gemini | Google account, Workspace and Android | from 4.99 EUR/month | Ja | USA |
 Microsoft Copilot | Windows users with a Microsoft account | from 10 EUR/month | Ja | USA |
 Perplexity AI | research with sources for every answer | from 20 USD/month | Ja | USA |
 Mistral Vibe (formerly Le Chat) | European alternative, based in France | from 17.84 EUR/month | Ja | EU (Frankreich) |
| Langdock | companies with a data protection focus | from 29 EUR/month | k. A. | EU (Deutschland) |
| Grok | current topics from X (Twitter) | from 30 USD/month | Ja | USA |
- ChatGPT
- Best for
- versatile all-rounder for work and everyday use
- Price from
- from 8 EUR/month
- Web search with sources
- Ja
- Provider region
- USA
- Claude
- Best for
- long texts, analysis and coding
- Price from
- from 18 EUR/month
- Web search with sources
- Ja
- Provider region
- USA
- Gemini
- Best for
- Google account, Workspace and Android
- Price from
- from 4.99 EUR/month
- Web search with sources
- Ja
- Provider region
- USA
- Microsoft Copilot
- Best for
- Windows users with a Microsoft account
- Price from
- from 10 EUR/month
- Web search with sources
- Ja
- Provider region
- USA
- Perplexity AI
- Best for
- research with sources for every answer
- Price from
- from 20 USD/month
- Web search with sources
- Ja
- Provider region
- USA
- Mistral Vibe (formerly Le Chat)
- Best for
- European alternative, based in France
- Price from
- from 17.84 EUR/month
- Web search with sources
- Ja
- Provider region
- EU (Frankreich)
- Langdock
- Best for
- companies with a data protection focus
- Price from
- from 29 EUR/month
- Web search with sources
- k. A.
- Provider region
- EU (Deutschland)
- Grok
- Best for
- current topics from X (Twitter)
- Price from
- from 30 USD/month
- Web search with sources
- Ja
- Provider region
- USA
- AI chatbots compared: prices according to the vendors, as of 05/10/2026 at the earliest. Reviewed by Raoul Schreck on 05/10/2026. n/a = not available. Prices and privacy details according to the vendors.
Profiles
The best AI assistants in detail
ChatGPT: best for versatile all-rounder for work and everyday use
ChatGPT bundles text chat, web search, image generation and file analysis into one app, according to the provider. The free version gives you unlimited text chats, even without an account. The cheapest paid plan (Go) costs €8 a month. Consumer data is also processed in the US, and training can be switched off via opt-out.
Strengths
- + Gratis-Version mit unbegrenzten Textchats, auch ohne Konto nutzbar
- + Apps für Web, iOS, Android und Desktop
- + Deep Research und Dateianalyse laut Anbieter auch im Gratis-Plan (mit Limits)
Weaknesses
- − Consumer-Daten auf US-Servern; EU-Datenresidenz nur für Enterprise-Kunden
- − Go-Tarif kann laut Anbieter Werbung enthalten
- − Gratis-Limits bei Bildern und Deep Research nicht als Zahlen veröffentlicht
Price from: from 8 EUR/month · Free plan: Yes, account needed · German: Yes
Privacy: non-EU hosting, DPA, trains on data (according to the vendor, as of 05/10/2026)
Visit tool →
Claude: best for long texts, analysis and coding
Claude from Anthropic is built for long text analysis and code, going by its feature description. Web search with sources is available on every plan including the free one, according to the provider. Limits apply per five-hour window. Pro costs €18 a month, or €15 with annual billing. Data sits on US servers; training can be switched off via opt-out, and incognito chats never feed into training.
Strengths
- + Websuche mit Quellenangaben in allen Tarifen, auch im Gratis-Plan
- + Inkognito-Chats fließen nie ins Training
- + Browser-Erweiterung und Desktop-App verfügbar
Weaknesses
- − Alle Daten auf US-Servern
- − Limits pro Fünf-Stunden-Fenster; keine feste Nachrichtenzahl veröffentlicht
- − Nutzung ohne Konto nicht belegt
Price from: from 18 EUR/month · Free plan: Yes · German: Yes
Privacy: non-EU hosting, DPA, trains on data (according to the vendor, as of 05/10/2026)
Visit tool →
Gemini: best for Google account, Workspace and Android
Gemini is Google's AI assistant and works directly with your Google account. The provider says the web app also runs without signing in (Flash-Lite, no history). The Google AI Plus plan costs €4.99 a month. With “save activity” switched on, chats feed into training; you can turn that off.
Strengths
- + Web-App laut Anbieter auch ohne Google-Konto nutzbar (Flash-Lite)
- + Günstigstes Bezahl-Abo unter allen Picks (Plus ab 4,99 €/Monat)
- + Direkte Integration mit Google Workspace und Android
Weaknesses
- − Mit „Aktivitäten speichern“ können Chats von menschlichen Prüfern gelesen werden (laut Anbieter)
- − EU-Hosting und AVV für Consumer-Konten nicht belegt
- − Flash-Lite ohne Anmeldung bietet keinen Chatverlauf
Price from: from 4.99 EUR/month · Free plan: Yes, no sign-up · German: Yes
Privacy: trains on data (according to the vendor, as of 05/10/2026)
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Microsoft Copilot: best for Windows users with a Microsoft account
Microsoft Copilot comes preinstalled on Windows and needs a Microsoft account. The free version offers chat, search and image generation with limits. More features come through Microsoft 365 plans from €10 a month. Copilot Pro is no longer sold on its own, according to the provider. Microsoft says training on conversations can be switched off, though the FAQ refers to an older version of the app.
Strengths
- + Auf Windows vorinstalliert, Gratis-Version mit Chat, Suche und Bilderzeugung
- + Copilot in Word, Excel und Outlook über Microsoft-365-Abos
- + Apps für Web, Desktop, iOS und Android
Weaknesses
- − Anmeldung mit Microsoft-Konto nötig (kein Zugang ohne Konto)
- − Copilot Pro als Einzelabo laut Anbieter nicht mehr verfügbar
- − FAQ zur Training-Abschaltung bezieht sich laut Microsoft auf eine ältere App-Version
Price from: from 10 EUR/month · Free plan: Yes, account needed · German: Yes
Privacy: trains on data (according to the vendor, as of 05/10/2026)
Visit tool →
Perplexity AI: best for research with sources for every answer
Perplexity AI shows the sources behind every answer as links. The free version covers web search with the simpler models, with daily and weekly usage limits. Pro costs $20 a month, and prices are quoted in USD only. Training on your search queries can be switched off in the account settings.
Strengths
- + Jede Antwort zeigt die genutzten Quellen als Links
- + Im Pro-Tarif Wahl zwischen mehreren Modellen
- + Enterprise und API: kein Training mit Nutzerdaten
Weaknesses
- − Preise nur in US-Dollar
- − Gratis-Limits nicht als Zahlen veröffentlicht
- − Datenverarbeitung in den USA
Price from: from 20 USD/month · Free plan: Yes · German: Yes
Privacy: non-EU hosting, DPA, trains on data (according to the vendor, as of 05/10/2026)
Visit tool →
Mistral Vibe (formerly Le Chat): best for European alternative, based in France
Mistral Vibe (formerly Le Chat) is the AI app from Mistral AI in Paris. The subprocessor list puts the infrastructure in Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands and Belgium. The free plan covers chat, web search, coding and image generation with limits. Pro costs €17.84 a month in Germany including tax. Mistral opened a hub in Munich on September 28, 2026.
Strengths
- + Infrastruktur in der EU (Schweden, Norwegen, Niederlande, Belgien laut Subprozessorliste)
- + Gratis-Plan mit Chat, Websuche, Coding und Bildgenerierung
- + DPA nach französischem Recht verfügbar
Weaknesses
- − Deutsche Oberfläche nicht belegt (germanAvailable unbekannt)
- − Nutzung ohne Konto nicht belegt
- − Gratis-Limits nicht als Zahlen veröffentlicht
Price from: from 17.84 EUR/month · Free plan: Yes · German: n/a
Privacy: EU hosting, DPA, trains on data (according to the vendor, as of 05/10/2026)
Visit tool →
Langdock: best for companies with a data protection focus
Langdock from Berlin gives you access to several AI models through one interface. The provider says data sits on Azure servers in the EU, a data processing agreement is available in the trust center, and user data does not feed into training. There is no free plan; entry level costs €29 per user per month.
Strengths
- + EU-Hosting (Azure), AVV und kein Training mit Nutzerdaten (laut Anbieter)
- + Zugang zu mehreren KI-Modellen in einer Oberfläche
- + Desktop-App, mobile Apps und Excel-/Outlook-Add-ins
Weaknesses
- − Kein Gratis-Plan; nur 7 Tage Testversion
- − Ab 29 € pro Nutzer und Monat, auf Teams ausgerichtet
- − Kein Einzelnutzer-Tarif für Privatpersonen
Price from: from 29 EUR/month · Free plan: No · German: Yes
Privacy: EU hosting, DPA, no training (according to the vendor, as of 05/10/2026)
Visit tool →Langdock: pricing, features, alternatives
Grok: best for current topics from X (Twitter)
Grok is the AI assistant from SpaceXAI and pulls real-time data from X (formerly Twitter). The provider says Grok can be used on the web without signing in. The free plan limits real-time search. SuperGrok costs $30 a month. Data is processed in the US; training can be switched off via opt-out, and private chats do not feed into training.
Strengths
- + Echtzeitdaten aus X (ehemals Twitter)
- + Laut Anbieter im Web ohne Anmeldung nutzbar
- + Private Chats fließen nicht ins Training und werden nach 30 Tagen gelöscht
Weaknesses
- − Datenverarbeitung in den USA
- − EUR-Preise für SuperGrok nicht veröffentlicht
- − Anbietername im Wandel (SpaceXAI LLC, vormals xAI)
Price from: from 30 USD/month · Free plan: Yes, no sign-up · German: Yes
Privacy: non-EU hosting, DPA, training opt-out (according to the vendor, as of 05/10/2026)
Visit tool →Grok: pricing, features, alternatives
Rights
What happens to your uploads
In companies the choice rarely fails on quality. It fails on whether legal agrees. Three facts decide that. Is the processing done in the EU, is there a data processing agreement, and does the provider train on your input?
For 2 of the 8 tools at least one of these is missing. We say so. An unchecked claim is not an all-clear.
- ChatGPT
- no EU hosting
- DPA available
- trains on your input
Claude
- no EU hosting
- DPA available
- trains on your input
Gemini
- EU hosting not checked
- DPA not checked
- trains on your input
- Microsoft Copilot
- EU hosting not checked
- DPA not checked
- trains on your input
- Perplexity AI
- no EU hosting
- DPA available
- trains on your input
- Mistral Vibe (formerly Le Chat)
- EU hosting
- DPA available
- trains on your input
Langdock
- EU hosting
- DPA available
- does not train on your input
Grok
- no EU hosting
- DPA available
- trains, opt-out possible
Methodology
How we compared
We compared 8 AI assistants in October 2026 using the providers' public information: pricing pages, privacy policies, help centers and trust pages. Every figure in the comparison tables has a source URL and a date.
We did not run our own hands-on tests for this edition. Where we describe what a tool can do, we are reporting what the provider says. For performance comparisons of the underlying models based on benchmarks, see AI models compared.
The selection is based on brand demand in Germany (Ahrefs), appearances in search results and AI Overviews, and availability in the German market. We included EU providers because people search for European alternatives.
Advertising has no influence on the selection or the order.
| Criterion | Description |
|---|---|
| Features, according to the provider | Web search with sources, files and PDFs, images, voice, agents, projects |
| Model access | Own models or a choice of models |
| Value for money and free tier | Free plan limits, price of the standard plan |
| Data protection and EU options | Provider location, hosting, training opt-out, data processing agreement (according to the provider) |
| German language support | German interface and help pages, according to the provider |
| Platforms and apps | Web, iOS, Android, desktop |
CEO & Co-Founder
Ads influence neither the selection nor the order of our recommendations.
Published on 05/10/2026 · Last reviewed on 05/10/2026 · 163 tools in this category
Background
What to know beforehand
What the free versions include
Seven of the eight assistants in this comparison have a free version (as of October 2026). The free plans come with limits, and none of the providers publish them as fixed numbers.
Tool | Free tier (according to the provider) | Without signing in | German UI |
|---|---|---|---|
ChatGPT | Unlimited text chats; images and deep research restricted | Yes (text chat only) | Yes |
Claude | Chat, web search, files, artifacts; limits per 5-hour window | Not stated | Yes |
Gemini | 3.6 Flash, limited 3.1 Pro, images; limits every 5 hours | Yes (Flash-Lite) | Yes |
Grok | Chat with limits, restricted real-time search | Yes | Yes |
Mistral Vibe | Chat, web search, coding, image generation; limits | Not stated | Not stated |
Perplexity AI | Search with sources, simpler models; daily and weekly limits | Not stated | Yes |
Microsoft Copilot has a free version with chat, search and image generation, but it needs a Microsoft account. Langdock has no free plan, only a seven-day trial.
For everyday use the free version of ChatGPT or Gemini is enough. If you want to see the sources while you research, Perplexity AI gives you that without a paid plan.
Which assistant for which use case
Job | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
Everyday use (text, questions, images) | ChatGPT | The largest feature set in one app, according to the provider; free version with no time limit |
Research with sources | Perplexity AI | Shows the sources behind every answer as links |
Writing and code | Claude | Built for long analyses and code, according to the provider; web search with sources on every plan |
Data protection and EU hosting | Langdock (companies), Mistral Vibe (individuals) | Langdock: EU hosting, data processing agreement, no training. Mistral Vibe: EU infrastructure, free plan |
Microsoft environment | Microsoft Copilot | Preinstalled on Windows; Copilot in Word and Excel through M365 plans |
Google environment | Gemini | Direct integration with Google Workspace and Android; cheapest paid plan (€4.99 a month) |
For benchmarks and model comparisons on a technical level, we recommend AI models compared.
Which devices the assistants run on
All eight assistants have a web app. All eight also offer iOS and Android apps, according to the providers.
Tool | Web | iOS | Android | Desktop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
ChatGPT | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Claude | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Gemini | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Microsoft Copilot | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Perplexity AI | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Mistral Vibe | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Langdock | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Grok | Yes | Yes | Yes | Not stated |
Langdock also offers add-ins for Excel and Outlook.
Two assistants based in the EU
Mistral Vibe comes from Mistral AI in Paris. The subprocessor list puts the Vibe infrastructure in Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands and Belgium, with US servers only for the US API endpoint. Mistral opened a hub in Munich on September 28, 2026. The free plan covers chat, web search, coding and image generation with limits.
Langdock comes from Berlin and is aimed at companies. The provider says data sits on Azure servers in the EU, user data does not feed into training, and a data processing agreement is available in the trust center. There is no free plan; the seven-day trial needs no payment method.
If your contracts require processing inside the EU, this comparison comes down to these two. For everyone else it is still worth knowing which country your prompts land in.
More alternatives: ChatGPT alternatives and local open-source models.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about AI chatbots
That depends on what you need it for. ChatGPT has the larger feature set, according to the provider (images, deep research, files). Gemini is cheaper (Plus from €4.99 a month) and works directly with your Google account. For a technical comparison of the underlying models, see AI models compared.
For research with sources, Perplexity AI fits, because every answer shows the links it used. Claude has features for long text analysis and code, according to the provider. If you need EU hosting, Mistral Vibe and Langdock have it; ChatGPT offers EU data residency only to enterprise customers.
Langdock stores data on EU servers, offers a data processing agreement and does not train on user data, according to the provider. Mistral Vibe hosts its infrastructure in the EU. With the US providers (ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, Grok) training can be switched off via opt-out. We are not giving a legal assessment here. Background: AI and data protection.
Benchmarks like the Chatbot Arena measure how AI models perform in categories such as reasoning and code. The results shift with every model update. For a current overview, see AI models compared. This comparison sorts the assistants by use case.
Yes. Langdock gives access to several AI models in one interface and is aimed at companies, according to the provider. Perplexity AI lets you pick between models on the Pro plan. Poe and Duck.ai are two more multi-model platforms; you will find both in the Buzzmatic AI tools directory.
ChatGPT from OpenAI has the highest brand demand among AI assistants in Germany, with 17.3 million monthly searches (source: Ahrefs). Perplexity AI gets 689,000. None of the providers publish comparable usage numbers. Gemini and Copilot come preinstalled with Google and Windows accounts.
Directory
All AI chatbots (163)
Our selection is above. Here is the full directory, with search and filters.
How we sort
Highlighted tools appear first, in an order we set per entry. Editorial picks carry the label “Buzzmatic Pick”, paid placements the label “Sponsored”. All other tools follow alphabetically. Filters and search only narrow the selection. Buzzmatic’s own products are labelled as such, and paid tools never appear in our curated lists.
| Tool | Pricing | Link |
|---|---|---|
Agentset.ai Open-source platform for local semantic search and retrieval-augmented generation over your own datasets. Developer Tools & ML PlatformsLocal & Self-Hosted | Open SourceFree | Visit |
AI Bookstore AI-powered book recommendation platform that suggests fitting books from various genres based on natural-language queries. AI Search & ResearchEntertainment & Leisure | Free | Visit |
AI Character for GPT Chrome extension for customizing AI chatbot characters in ChatGPT and Google Bard for improved response quality. Chatbots & Assistants | Free | Visit |
AI Chat AI chatbot service over SMS with no app download, password management or API token setup for easy access. Chatbots & Assistants | FreemiumFree | Visit |
AI Dinner Recipe Generator iOS app for AI-powered generation of dinner recipe suggestions based on ingredients and dietary preferences. Chatbots & AssistantsEntertainment & Leisure | FreemiumFree | Visit |
AI LS Chatbot interface based on GPT-3.5, GPT-4 and Claude as a ChatGPT alternative, usable without signup. Chatbots & AssistantsMulti-Model & Model Comparison | FreemiumFree | Visit |
AI Trip Planner AI trip planner for finding flights, hotels and activities with real-time updates on delays and weather forecasts. Chatbots & AssistantsEntertainment & Leisure | Free | Visit |
AI Video Search Engine AI video search engine for question-based search within videos with a chat feature for interacting with video content. Summarizers & PDFChat with Documents | Free | Visit |
AI Why? AI app for children for kid-friendly answers to questions by voice based on ChatGPT. School & Learning | Freemium | Visit |
AI-girlfriend GPT-4-based AI companion for personalized, interactive conversations in a simulated relationship dynamic. Companion & EntertainmentCompanion & Entertainment | Free | Visit |
AI/ML API API access platform for developers with unified access to over 100 AI models from various providers through a single API. LLMs & Model PlatformsMulti-Model & Model Comparison | Open SourceFree | Visit |
AICamp ChatGPT-based collaboration platform for teams with shared AI conversations and connected APIs. Chatbots & AssistantsProject Management & Collaboration | Freemium$10/month | Visit |
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