AI chatbots have taken over the internet, and 2025 is proving to be the most competitive year yet. Almost every week, there’s either a new AI chatbot or a new model with allegedly better benchmarks. From OpenAI’s ChatGPT to Elon Musk’s Grok, companies are pushing the limits of large language models (LLMs) to deliver smarter, faster, and more human-like AI assistants. But with so many options, which one is right for you?
We break down the best LLM-powered AI chatbots available today, their standout features, pricing, and where to find them.
1. ChatGPT (OpenAI)
? Website: chat.openai.com ? Pricing: Free (GPT-4-turbo limited), $20/month (ChatGPT Plus with GPT-4-turbo)
ChatGPT famously kickstarted this AI chat assistant arms race back in 2022 and still remains the go-to AI chatbot for millions, offering conversational intelligence across various domains. Powered by OpenAI’s GPT-4-turbo , it provides high-quality responses for just about anything like marketing copy, email replies, music lyrics, poems, homework assignments, code generation, and even image creation via DALL·E.
ChatGPT is Free and good enough for starters. But the Plus plan unlocks faster responses and better reasoning capabilities from the companies more advanced models. ChatGPT has an Enterprise package which offers custom pricing for businesses with higher limits and advanced features. They also offer OpenAI API, a Pay-per-use pricing based on tokens (GPT-4-turbo is significantly cheaper per token than GPT-4)
ChatGPT is a top-tier AI for both casual and professional users.
2. DeepSeek
? Website: deepseek.com ? Pricing: Free, Pro plans available
DeepSeek AI took by the world by storm at the beginning of 2025 when they announced their DeepSeek R1 model. What was most outstanding is that it’s open source and it took far less to train the model than what competitors like OpenAI or Google were spending on. Coming from China , it challenged the U.S. dominance in the AI arm’s race. Additionally, the model focuses on deep reasoning and technical problem-solving. Unlike many generic chatbots, DeepSeek excels in math, science, and engineering-related queries , making it an ideal choice for researchers, developers and students. Its core strength lies in logical thinking, outperforming many LLMs in problem-solving tasks.
3. Gemini (Google)
? Website: gemini.google.com ? Pricing: Free (Gemini 2.0), Premium with Google One AI (at $20/month)
Following the announcement of chatGPT, Google in panic mode quickly announced their own LLM model called Bard . The launch was a disaster having made several false responses, but Google quickly iterated their product with an improved model called Google Gemini. This is a multimodal AI , meaning it can handle text, images, and even voice commands seamlessly.
Integrated with Google Search , Docs , and Assistant , Gemini is perfect for productivity-focused users. Further more, if you are a software developer, Google announced Gemini Code Assist , a model based on Gemini 2.0 that supports all programming languages in the public domain and offers 180K code completions per month for free. The Google One AI Premium plan which costs $20/month gives users access to its most powerful models.
4. Meta AI
? Website: meta.ai ? Pricing: Free
Not wanting to be left behind, Meta, the company that owns Facebook also has its own LLM called Meta AI. Naturally, this AI assistant is embedded across Meta’s products such as Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger . So if you already in the Meta ecosystem, you don’t have to download another AI assistant. Personally, I use Meta AI inside Whatsapp occasionally to lookup a few things. While it may not be as advanced as ChatGPT or Gemini, it’s perfect for quick social interactions, real-time translations, and fun chatbot experiences inside Meta’s apps.
5. Le Chat(Mistral)
? Website: c hat.mistral.ai ? Pricing: Free, Paid plans
6. Copilot (Microsoft)
? Website: copilot.microsoft.com ? Pricing: Free, Premium with Microsoft 365
Microsoft invested billions of dollars in OpenAI in an effort to improve on Bing its search engine and unseat Google’s dominance. However, this did very little to change Google’s search market share. So Microsoft has shited its focus more towards incorporating Copilot, it’s AI assistant powered in part by OpenAI is deeply integrated into Windows, Office 365, and Edge , making it the best AI assistant for work and productivity. It helps users write emails, summarize documents, and automate workflows, especially for corporate and business environments . Further more, Copilot is heavily used by software developers as an AI coding assistant in Integrated Development environments such as VS Code .
7. Claude (Anthropic)
? Website: claude.ai ? Pricing: Free, Claude Pro ($20/month)
Claude has particularly received praise from software developers for its coding abilities. At the end of February, the company released Claude 3.7 Sonnet , their most advanced AI model yet and the first hybrid reasoning model in the market. This model offers near-instant responses or detailed, step-by-step reasoning , with API users gaining fine-grained control over response depth. Claude 3.7 Sonnet brings significant improvements in coding , especially for front-end web development . Alongside the model, Anthropic is launched Claude Code , a command-line tool for agentic coding , allowing developers to offload substantial engineering tasks directly from their terminal.
In terms of pricing , Claude AI offers a free tier with access to its standard model for casual users. For those needing more power and faster responses , Anthropic provides Claude Pro , a paid subscription that unlocks access to its most advanced models. Businesses and developers can also integrate Claude into their workflows through Anthropic’s API pricing, which follows a usage-based model similar to other leading LLM providers.
8. Perplexity AI
? Website: perplexity.ai ? Pricing: Free, Pro plan available
Perplexity is like ChatGPT meets Google Search —a research assistant that cites sources and provides real-time web search capabilities . Unlike traditional chatbots, Perplexity prioritizes accurate, citation-backed responses , making it a powerful research tool for professionals, students, and curious users who want trustworthy, up-to-date information .
A key differentiator is its web-connected nature where it fetches and summarize the latest information from the internet instead of relying solely on pre-trained data. Perplexity AI offers a free tier with basic features and a Pro plan that provides faster, more advanced responses with enhanced search capabilities. It’s perfect for users who need up-to-date information, fact-checking, and academic research .
9. Grok (xAI by Elon Musk)
? Website: x.ai / grok.com ? Pricing: Free (limited), Premium+ on X (formerly Twitter)
Grok is Elon Musk’s answer to OpenAI and Google. This AI assistant is tightly integrated into X. More so, its one of the AI assistants with a more sarcastic and witty personality . I use Grok to quickly lookup facts or ask follow-up questions to a specific tweet. Grok is a great choice for social media users who want real-time insights and meme-friendly responses . However, you can also use it as a dedicated application from grok.com, if you are not on X.com/Twitter.
10. Kimi
? Website: kimi.com ? Pricing: Free, Pro plans available
Kimi AI’s latest version, is an advanced artificial intelligence model developed by Beijing-based startup Moonshot AI . Kimi focuses on privacy and on-device AI processing . It’s ideal for users who don’t want their conversations stored in the cloud. Unlike other chatbots, Kimi runs partially offline which means your data remains secure.
11. YouChat (You.com)
? Website: you.com ? Pricing: Free, Premium plan available
YouChat combines AI-powered chat with an AI-powered search engine , delivering interactive results rather than just text responses. If you’re looking for a chatbot that integrates web search without hallucinations , YouChat is a strong alternative to Google.
12. HuggingChat
? Website: huggingface.co ? Pricing: Free
If you are Machine learning developer or enthusiast looking to learn how AI models work, then this one is for you. HuggingChat is an open-source AI chatbot , powered by the Hugging Face community . According to their about us page, they “are on a mission to democratize good machine learning, one commit at a time”. It’s perfect for developers and AI enthusiasts who want to experiment with custom AI models without relying on closed systems like OpenAI or Google.
13. Pi (Inflection AI)
? Website: pi.ai ? Pricing: Free
Pi AI claims to be “the first emotionally intelligent AI”. If you have watched the Sci-Fi movie Her, then Pi AI appears to follow that path. It is designed to be a personal AI companion , focusing on emotional intelligence and mental well-being . So it’s a great option if you’re looking for an AI that acts more like a supportive coach rather than a pure information engine.
14. Abacus AI
? Website: chatllm.abacus.ai ? Pricing: Free
Abacus.AI is a platform designed to help enterprises and professionals integrate AI into their workflows. It offers two main products: ChatLLM for individuals and small teams, and Abacus.AI Enterprise for larger organizations.
15. Qwen (Alibaba Cloud)
? Website: qwen.ai ? Pricing: Free, Enterprise pricing available
Developed by Alibaba Cloud , Qwen is a China-focused AI assistant with strong capabilities in business intelligence, translation, and e-commerce support. First launched in April 2023, it’s on Meta’s Llama but heavily modified. In 2024, Alibaba released Qwen 2, using a mixture of experts, and QwQ-32B-Preview, a reasoning-focused model. The Qwen-VL series combines vision transformers with LLMs, with Qwen-vl-max as its flagship visual model. Over 100 Qwen models have been open-sourced, downloaded 40+ million times, and fine-tuned by enthusiasts. In 2025, Qwen 2.5-Max reportedly outperformed models like GPT-4o and DeepSeek-V3 in benchmarks, solidifying its position as a top Chinese and global AI model.
It’s a great tool for Chinese-speaking professionals and businesses looking for AI-driven automation.
Which AI Chatbot Should You Choose?
- For general use → ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude
- For research & real-time web search → Perplexity, YouChat
- For business & work productivity → Microsoft Copilot, Kimi
- For AI with personality → Grok, Pi
- For privacy-focused AI → Kimi, HuggingChat
- For Chinese-language AI → Deepseek, Qwen
David Okwii is the Editor-in-Chief of Dignited.com and a seasoned tech enthusiast whose journey began in the early 2000s. He started blogging while at university, diving deep into mobile apps, smartphone reviews, and operating systems—from testing Linux distros to tweaking Windows machines. David also explores Chromebooks, experiments with Raspberry Pi projects, and brings hands-on curiosity to every review. With vast experience in Uganda’s tech ecosystem and deep knowledge of Africa’s startup landscape, he offers informed, grounded perspectives on consumer technology. When he’s not writing or tinkering, David enjoys connecting with nature and exploring the outdoors.
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Talkio Mobile , Uganda’s newest telecommunications service provider, is excited to announce a groundbreaking partnership with Banana Life Investments, a leading chain of mobile phone and retail shops. This strategic alliance aims to bring Talkio’s innovative telecom services closer to Ugandans.
This collaboration will leverage Banana Life Investments’ extensive retail network of 26 stores strategically located across Uganda in major malls, towns, and cities to provide customers with unparalleled convenience. Through this partnership, Talkio Mobile will offer its full suite of services, including SIM cards, airtime, and exclusive product offerings at any Banana Life Investment location.
This partnership is more than a business initiative—it’s a shared commitment to transforming lives. By integrating Talkio Mobile’s forward-thinking services & nationwide reach with Banana Life Investments’ retail footprint, the two brands are setting a new standard for customer convenience and inclusivity.
READ ALSO: 5 Things You Need to Know About Talkio Mobile: New Telecom Company in Uganda
“This partnership aligns perfectly with our mission of connecting Ugandans to innovative and transformative telecom solutions,” said Vianne Allan Ahura, CEO of Talkio Mobile. “By leveraging Banana Life Investments’ trusted presence and nationwide footprint, we are not only expanding our agent network but also bringing our services closer to the communities we serve. This collaboration ensures that our online customers can now enjoy a seamless offline experience right at their doorstep. Together, we are empowering Ugandans with the tools they need to stay connected, grow their businesses, and unlock new opportunities.”
Solomon Ssemuyaba, the assistant general manager at Banana Life Investments, echoed this sentiment: “We are proud to join hands with Talkio Mobile to deliver innovative, customer-centric solutions. This partnership represents our shared vision of fostering a connected future for Uganda. Together, we are redefining what convenience and accessibility mean for our customers.”
The partnership goes beyond retail distribution, introducing joint initiatives aimed at value addition and personalized service. Customers can expect seamless access to:
- SIM Card Sales : Available at all Banana Life Investments locations.
- Talkio phone number bookings : Book your preferred Talkio number at any Banana Life Investments location.
- Airtime Services : Recharge easily through in-store purchases.
- Customer Support : Friendly and knowledgeable staff trained to assist with Talkio Mobile products and services.
Additionally, the two companies plan to launch promotional campaigns and expand services to even more locations, ensuring no Ugandan is left behind in the digital transformation.
Solomon Obwot is a tech writer based in Kampala, Uganda, with extensive experience in the local tech startup ecosystem. He covers the latest news and analysis on consumer tech, writes in-depth smartphone reviews, and conducts insightful interviews with industry experts. Solomon is also a passionate podcaster, sharing his knowledge and engaging in discussions about Africa’s rapidly growing tech landscape. Send emails to [email protected]
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The Mobile World Congress (MWC) Barcelona , the world’s largest exhibition for the mobile industry, has just concluded. This annual event gathers leading technology brands to unveil groundbreaking mobile, AI, and digital solutions innovations. At MWC 2025, TECNO showcased a range of AI-driven products, reinforcing its commitment to cutting-edge technology.
The key launches included:
- CAMON 40 Series – AI-powered smartphones with One-Tap FlashSnap and advanced mobile imaging features.
- MEGABOOK S14 – The world’s lightest 14-inch OLED laptop, featuring AI-enhanced multitasking and Snapdragon® X Elite.
- MEGABOOK T14 Air & K15S – Lightweight ultrabooks with AI capabilities and extended battery life.
- TECNO AI Glasses Series – Smart eyewear integrating AI imaging, translation, and AR display.
Jan Stryjak, Associate Director at Counterpoint Research, shared, “In the past year, we have observed significant advancements in the field of AI. AI will continue to drive transformative changes in our daily lives. In this critical period for the economic development of emerging markets, TECNO’s AI technologies are unlocking potential for diverse needs.”
“The application of AI technologies is crucial and urgent in emerging markets. We’re committed to bridging the digital gap between emerging and mature markets,” said TECNO CMO, Laury Bai. “TECNO is taking a practical approach to make AI more accessible, ensuring users in emerging markets can access AI and cutting-edge technologies.”
Laury Bai, TECNO CMO
Driven by its commitment, TECNO has forged a robust partnership with MediaTek, establishing a joint AI laboratory dedicated to accelerating advancements in AI. At the event, James Chen, Vice President of Product and Technology Marketing at MediaTek, emphasized, “The synergistic R&D efforts between TECNO and MediaTek are set to democratize AI technology. Our collaboration powers a seamless, interconnected AI experience, bringing users a future of truly connected intelligence.”
James Chen, Vice President, Product and Technology Marketing at MediaTek
CAMON 40 Series Powered by AI One-Tap FlashSnap Revolutionizes Smartphone Snapshot Photography
TECNO’s Global Product Launch Officer, Olivier Mas, officially unveiled TECNO’s next-generation AI-driven products. Attendees at TECNO’s launch event witnessed the highly anticipated debut of TECNO’s new CAMON 40 Series, a device that embodies TECNO’s legacy of excellence in mobile imaging. Featuring One-Tap FlashSnap Mode and TECNO AI, the series sets a new benchmark in smartphone photography, delivering exceptional snapshot capabilities and AI-enhanced user experiences.
Olivier Mas, TECNO Global Product Launch Officer
The CAMON 40 Series exemplifies a commitment to innovation that transcends hardware and software, extending into strategic partnerships that deliver cutting-edge AI solutions to emerging markets. Matt Waldbusser, Managing Director of Global Solutions and Consumer AI at Google Cloud, remarked, “Our collaboration with TECNO on the CAMON 40 Series is a standout example. Leveraging Google Cloud’s capabilities, we’ve introduced groundbreaking features such as Ask Ella, AI Image Generator, AI Writing, and AI Translate. I am particularly impressed by the industry-leading and competitive edge of some of these innovations. For instance, TECNO’s AI supports text translation in 136 languages, voice translation in 44 languages, and photo translation in 51 languages. We are excited to further strengthen our partnership with TECNO, unlocking limitless potential to bring advanced yet practical AI capabilities to emerging markets in a convenient and secure manner.”
Matt Waldbusser, Managing Director of Global Solutions and Consumer AI at Google Cloud
The CAMON 40 Series’ innovative One-Tap FlashSnap leverages AI to enhance imaging capabilities, revolutionizing mobile photography. AI optimizes camera startup and continuous shooting for instant captures, while AI-powered multi-frame processing intelligently reduces noise and enhances details, delivering sharper, more refined images. Additionally, the BestMoment algorithm analyzes motion patterns, automatically selecting the optimal frames for precise, high-quality shots in dynamic scenarios, ensuring users an unparalleled mobile imaging experience.
TECNO CAMON 40 Demonstrates the Cutting-Edge FlashSnap Capability
To delve deeper into the imaging prowess of the CAMON 40 Series, TECNO invited Frédéric Guichard, CEO of DXOMARK, to share the image performance of CAMON 40 Pro. Frédéric highlighted, “The CAMON 40 Pro 5G has demonstrated exceptional imaging and performance capabilities in our rigorous evaluations. We’ve been particularly impressed with photo performance being the best for devices under 600$, and the 1st eligible device to our Smart Choice Label.”
Onsite photo of Frédéric Guichard, CEO of DXOMARK
Beyond its advanced rapid-capture functionality, the integration of TECNO AI further enhances the device’s capabilities. Intelligent imaging, a 360° AI Call Assistant, and productivity tools elevate creativity and efficiency. Powered by MediaTek’s latest chipsets, the series ensures smooth performance, fast processing, and extended battery life. With a sleek, durable, and water-resistant design, it seamlessly blends style with practicality for modern users.
MEGABOOK S14, the World’s Lightest 14-inch OLED Laptop, Inspires Creators and Game Lovers
The MEGABOOK S14 is TECNO’s first OLED laptop and the industry’s lightest 14-inch OLED laptop, featuring a 2.8K OLED display and incredibly weighing only 899g (31.7oz). The laptop is equipped with the outstanding power of the Snapdragon® X Elite compute platform, the flagship chipset for AI PCs from Qualcomm Technologies, and integrates TECNO’s world’s first self-developed edge-side large-scale AI model, to achieve AI-enhanced multitasking.
World’s Lightest 14-inch Laptop MEGABOOK S14
Specifically designed for next-gen AI productivity, TECNO AI enhances the Ella AI Assistant, AI-powered PPT generation, AI-driven image search, smart albums, and offline meeting transcription with multilingual support. The External Graphics Dock, equipped with a powerful NVIDIA graphic card, delivers scalable, high-performance capabilities for design, gaming, and content creation. The laptop’s 2.8K OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate ensures exceptional visuals, while DTS:X Ultra dual 2W speakers, Wi-Fi 6E, fingerprint login, and PC Manager optimize connectivity and user experience.
TECNO’s strategic partnership with Qualcomm Technologies was a highlight of the TECNO AI Ecosystem Product Launch event, demonstrating a shared vision for the future of AI PCs. Kedar Kondap, SVP & GM of Compute and Gaming at Qualcomm, took the stage to discuss the integration of Qualcomm’s cutting-edge PC chipset into the new MEGABOOK S14 laptop, underscoring TECNO’s commitment to delivering high-performance computing solutions.
Kedar Kondap, SVP & GM of Compute and Gaming at Qualcomm
In addition, TECNO also introduced several standout new products. The featherlight 999g (35.2oz) ultrabook MEGABOOK T14 Air, features high-speed storage and LPDDR5 memory, while the ultra-thin, all-metal MEGABOOK K15S, equipped with a powerful 70Wh battery and supported by a 65W PD GaN charger, offers a smarter and more long-lasting user experience. Both devices are empowered by TECNO AI with advanced AI capabilities such as AI Album and AI Voice Assistant, making them perfect companions for all aspects of life.
The Next Game-Changing Tech Innovation: See the World with the TECNO AI Glasses Series
TECNO’s new AI Glasses Series also took center stage with the introduction of TECNO AI Glasses Pro and TECNO AI Glasses, reimagining eyewear with cutting-edge imaging, intelligent interactions, and a sleek aesthetic. The TECNO AI Glasses feature an aviator design, while the Pro model showcases a browline style, both embodying timeless elegance and modern fashion.
TECNO AI Glasses Redefine the Way People See the Future
Equipped with a 50MP high-definition camera, the series integrates an OV50D sensor, a 100° ultra-wide-angle custom lens, and an AI ISP imaging chip, forming a mobile-grade imaging system. This system lets users capture stunning, high-resolution photos with advanced AI noise reduction and HDR capabilities. With real-time translation supporting over 100 languages, TECNO AI’s Ella empowers accurate translation even for less common languages, as well as voice control, AI-powered object recognition, and intelligent information summaries for ultimate convenience.
Additionally, the AI Glasses Pro features a MicroLED display with 7th-gen resin waveguide technology, offering a 30° field of view, over 1,500 nits of brightness AR display, and a lightweight, ultra-thin design. The AR display allows users to effortlessly enjoy features like translation display, navigation, information prompts, and teleprompting.
Equipped with a 250mAh battery, these glasses offer over 11 hours of music playback and 8 hours of mixed use with just 30 minutes of charging. An advanced ultra-linear speaker, bass enhancement, and spatial sound deliver an immersive audio experience, while Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.4 ensure seamless connectivity.
With these innovative launches, TECNO is setting new standards in mobile imaging and AI-enhanced technology, shaping a more connected and empowered future for consumers in emerging markets. Once again, TECNO has showcased its cutting-edge innovation on the global stage at MWC. With the brand essence of “Stop at Nothing”, TECNO’s relentless pursuit of innovation is making AI-powered technology more accessible, allowing consumers to experience the future ahead of time.
Solomon Obwot is a tech writer based in Kampala, Uganda, with extensive experience in the local tech startup ecosystem. He covers the latest news and analysis on consumer tech, writes in-depth smartphone reviews, and conducts insightful interviews with industry experts. Solomon is also a passionate podcaster, sharing his knowledge and engaging in discussions about Africa’s rapidly growing tech landscape. Send emails to [email protected]
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