Is There an AI I Can Talk To? 12 Best Chatbots to Try in 2025

Yes — there are many AIs you can talk to, and they range from helpful virtual assistants to conversational companions designed for emotional support. This guide lists 12 of the best options in 2025, explains how these systems work in plain terms, walks you through getting started, and helps you choose the right AI depending on your needs.

What is an AI chatbot and how does it work?

AI chatbots are software systems that understand text or voice input and generate human-like responses. Under the hood they use natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning models trained on large amounts of text. Rather than “thinking,” they match patterns and predict likely replies based on the input and context.

Why that matters for you:

• They can answer questions, draft messages, brainstorm ideas, tutor you, or simulate a friendly conversation.
• Most modern chatbots can keep short-term context (a few messages) and some offer memory features for longer-term personalization.
• Capabilities now often include voice chat, image understanding, and multimodal outputs like generated images or code snippets.

If your first instinct was to ask “is there an ai i can talk to,” the quick answer is a definite yes — and the rest of this article helps you pick which one suits your needs.

Best AI chatbots you can talk to in 2025

Below are 12 popular and trustworthy AI chatbots, with a short summary of what each does best, pricing notes, and the ideal use case.

1) ChatGPT (OpenAI)

• What it does: Versatile conversational AI for writing, coding help, brainstorming, tutoring, and casual chat.
• Best for: General-purpose assistance and creative work.
• Pricing: Free tier available; paid subscriptions unlock larger models, longer context windows, and faster responses.
• Notable features: Plugins, voice mode, image understanding in newer versions, and extensive community prompts.

2) Google Gemini

• What it does: Powerful multimodal assistant that handles text, images, and voice with strong factual answering and search integration.
• Best for: Research-heavy queries, summarization, and multimodal tasks.
• Pricing: Free to try with premium tiers for advanced features.
• Notable features: Real-time web access (varies by plan) and integrated Google search capabilities.

3) Claude (Anthropic)

• What it does: Safety-focused conversational AI emphasizing helpfulness and reliability.
• Best for: Business use, careful reasoning, and users worried about safer responses.
• Pricing: Free options exist; enterprise plans available.
• Notable features: Emphasis on safer content generation and clear fine-tuning for different tones.

4) Replika

• What it does: Designed as a companion; it learns a conversational style to mirror empathy, friendship, and emotional support.
• Best for: People seeking a friendship-like chat, daily check-ins, or reflective conversation.
• Pricing: Freemium model with paid subscriptions for voice calls and richer features.
• Notable features: Personality customization, role-play modes, and journaling integrations.

5) Microsoft Copilot (incl. Bing Chat)

• What it does: Integrated assistant in Microsoft products for writing, summarizing, and productivity tasks.
• Best for: Office workflows, document drafting, and quick web-based answers.
• Pricing: Some features free via Bing; advanced Copilot features require Microsoft subscriptions.
• Notable features: Deep integration with Office apps and Windows.

6) Perplexity

• What it does: AI that focuses on factual answers with source citations and concise summaries.
• Best for: Quick research where you want to verify sources.
• Pricing: Free and paid tiers.
• Notable features: Source-backed answers and compact summaries.

7) Character-driven apps (various)

• What it does: Create custom personality-driven AIs or characters you can talk to for entertainment, roleplay, or practice.
• Best for: Creative interaction, language practice, or simulation of historical figures.
• Pricing: Typically freemium.
• Notable features: Customizable character traits and scenario scripting. Try building and testing characters in a sandbox like the Playground.

8) Jasper Chat

• What it does: Business-focused AI for marketing copy, blog drafts, and social media content.
• Best for: Marketers and content creators who want guided creative output.
• Pricing: Paid subscription.
• Notable features: Templates and tone customization for consistent brand voice.

9) YouChat / Perplexity-style alternatives

• What it does: Chat interfaces that combine conversational answers with web-sourced information.
• Best for: Students and people doing web research.
• Pricing: Usually free with premium options.

10) Voice-first assistants (e.g., voice-enabled ChatGPT, Google Assistant with Gemini)

• What it does: Conversational AI accessible by voice for hands-free interaction.
• Best for: Driving, cooking, or quick questions when typing isn’t convenient.
• Pricing: Often bundled with core services.
• Notable features: Real-time voice conversion and spoken replies.

11) Specialty AIs (mental health, tutoring)

• What it does: Tools focused on therapy-adjacent support or subject tutoring (note: not a replacement for licensed professionals).
• Best for: Practice conversations, CBT-style exercises, and educational reinforcement.
• Pricing: Varies; some free resources, some subscription models.

12) Smaller privacy-focused chatbots

• What it does: Emphasize local processing or strict data controls (on-device models or end-to-end encrypted chatbots).
• Best for: Users who want more control over conversation data.
• Pricing: Some free open-source options; other premium apps charge for convenience features.

Which AI should I talk to if... — quick recommendations

• You want broad help with work and creative tasks: ChatGPT or Microsoft Copilot.
• You need accurate, sourced answers: Perplexity or Gemini.
• You want a companion or emotional check-ins: Replika.
• You need marketing or content workflows: Jasper Chat.
• You want voice-first hands-free chat: Google Assistant or voice-enabled ChatGPT.
• You want maximum privacy: a local model or privacy-focused chatbot.

How to start talking to AI — step-by-step for beginners

1. Pick one AI from the list above based on your goals.
2. Visit the provider's website or download the official app.
   • Example: sign up for ChatGPT on OpenAI’s site or try Gemini via Google’s apps.
3. Create an account if required — many services offer a free tier.
4. Choose text or voice mode. If you use voice, make sure microphone permissions are enabled.
5. Start with a simple prompt. Examples:
   • "Help me write a 200-word email asking for a project update."
   • "Can we practice a 5-minute job interview? Ask me questions."
   • "I need quick tips to reduce stress tonight."
6. Refine the results: ask the AI to expand, shorten, or change tone.
7. Save or copy outputs you like. For repeated help, explore memory features but review what the AI actually stores.

Prompt tips for better responses:

• Be specific: include goal, audience, and constraints.
• Use role prompts: "You are a friendly tutor who explains math simply."
• Ask for examples or step-by-step instructions.
• Give feedback: "Shorter, please" or "more formal tone."

Common beginner mistakes to avoid:

• Expecting perfect factual accuracy — always verify critical facts.
• Sharing sensitive personal data.
• Sending the same vague prompt repeatedly without clarifying goals.

What can you talk to AI about? (Use cases)

• Personal productivity: task lists, email drafts, summarizing long texts.
• Learning: explanations, flashcards, coding help, language practice.
• Creativity: story ideas, poetry, plot editing, character creation (pair with an AI character generator for roleplay).
• Emotional support and companionship: mood check-ins and reflection (remember this is not a replacement for therapy).
• Visual content: ask multimodal AIs to analyze images or generate visuals — or try an AI art generator for creative images.
• Entertainment and roleplay: practice interviews, simulate scenarios, or create fictional conversations.

Free vs. paid AI chatbots — what to expect

Free tiers are great for casual use and testing. Limits you may see on free plans:

• Lower-quality models or smaller context windows.
• Rate limits and slower responses.
• Less advanced features like plugins or longer memory.

Paid plans typically add:

• Access to more powerful models with larger context memory.
• Faster response times and priority access during peak times.
• Additional features: voice calls, unlimited chat history, business tools.

If you’re unsure, start free. Upgrade only when you need higher accuracy, longer conversations, or business-grade features.

Is it safe to talk to AI?

Short answer: generally yes — but with important caveats.

Privacy and data practices vary by provider. Consider these safety tips:

• Read the privacy policy to understand what’s stored and how it’s used.
• Avoid sharing personally identifiable information (SSNs, bank details, exact addresses).
• Don’t treat AI advice as professional (legal, medical, financial) — verify with qualified experts.
• Use privacy-focused or local models if you need strict control over data.
• Be cautious with children’s use of chatbots; pick age-appropriate tools and supervise conversations.

Ethical considerations:

• AI may generate biased or inappropriate content. Providers work to reduce this, but it’s not eliminated.
• Be aware of the emotional risks of relying too heavily on AI companionship; it does not replace human relationships or mental health care.

Quick comparison: features at a glance

• ChatGPT: best generalist, huge ecosystem of plugins.
• Gemini: strong multimodal and search integration.
• Claude: safety and careful reasoning.
• Replika: companion-first experience.
• Perplexity: source-backed factual answers.

For creative multimedia workflows, you can combine chat with tools that generate images or characters — test prompts and visuals in a sandbox like the Playground.

Practical examples: your first five prompts to try

1. "Summarize this article in 3 bullets: [paste text]."
2. "Draft a friendly message asking to reschedule a meeting to Thursday morning."
3. "Explain photosynthesis like I’m 12 years old."
4. "Brainstorm 10 names for a small coffee shop with a modern vibe."
5. "Act as a mock interviewer for a product manager role—ask me questions and give feedback."

FAQs

Is talking to an AI free?

Many AIs offer free tiers; advanced features and larger models often require subscriptions.

Can AI remember our past conversations?

Some services offer memory features that store preferences or past chats — check the provider’s settings and privacy policy.

Can I use voice instead of typing?

Yes. Many modern chatbots offer voice modes; you’ll need microphone access on your device.

Are AI chats private?

Depends on the provider. Some store and use conversations to improve models; others offer options to opt out or use on-device processing.

Can AI help with mental health?

AI can provide support tools like mood check-ins, but it’s not a replacement for licensed therapists. Use it as a supplementary resource.

Which AI is best for coding help?

ChatGPT, Gemini, and specialized coding assistants are strong options for debugging and code generation.

What should I never share with an AI?

Never share passwords, social security numbers, bank account details, or other sensitive personal data.

Will AI become indistinguishable from humans in conversation?

AI is increasingly fluent, but it still lacks true consciousness and long-term real-world understanding. Treat its output critically.

How do I get better answers from AI?

Be clear, provide context, use role prompts, and iterate on the response.

Can I build my own chat character?

Yes — many platforms provide tools to create custom characters or personalities. For a place to experiment with characters and prompts, try the Playground or an AI character generator.

Conclusion

There are many AIs you can talk to — from general assistants like ChatGPT and Gemini to companion apps like Replika and research-focused tools like Perplexity. Start with a free option to explore how an AI fits your workflow or personal needs, follow simple safety practices, and use clear prompts for better results. If you want to experiment with creative visuals or characters tied to your conversations, tools like the AI Art Generator and the playgrounds linked above are helpful places to test ideas.

Which AI you pick depends on your goal: productivity, companionship, research, or creativity. Try two or three for a week and notice which voice, tone, and features feel most useful — that’s the fastest path to discovering the right conversational AI for you.

Article created using Lovarank