AI chatbots have completely transformed how we work, solve problems, and gather information. While Apple Intelligence hasn’t introduced its own chatbot just yet, plenty of solid AI chatbot apps are available for iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Here’s a breakdown of the best ones you can try right now.
Anthropic Claude AI
Anthropic, an independent AI company, has created Claude, a chatbot designed for smooth conversations and document processing. It’s great at handling text but doesn’t yet support image generation, unlike some of its competitors.
Claude is available for free on iPhone, iPad, and web, and it’s also one of the few chatbot apps with a native Mac version. For those who need more advanced features, Claude Pro is available for $20 per month.
DeepSeek AI
As of early 2025, DeepSeek is making waves as an AI company that delivers cutting-edge performance at a fraction of the usual development cost. On top of that, it’s reportedly cheaper to operate compared to its rivals.
You can access DeepSeek for free on iPhone and web. The iOS app even supports Sign In with Apple, which means you can create an account using a throwaway email address for added privacy.
What makes DeepSeek stand out is its ability to display its own “thought process” as it generates responses. It doesn’t support image creation yet, but if you ask for a picture of a cow, it will give you a detailed step-by-step guide on how to draw one instead.
Definitely one to keep an eye on. 🐄
Google Gemini AI
Remember Google Bard? Well, that’s history—Google has rebranded its chatbot as Gemini.
Gemini comes packed with features, including voice mode, image generation, and the ability to interact with photos and videos. Plus, it seamlessly integrates with Google’s ecosystem, making it a solid option for anyone already using Google services.
You can access Gemini for free on iPhone and web. If you’re looking for more advanced capabilities, Gemini Advanced is available for $19.99 per month after a one-month free trial.
Meta AI
As of January 2025, Meta (formerly Facebook) hasn’t launched a standalone Meta AI app for iPhone. However, its chatbot is available within the Messenger app for Facebook users on iPhone and iPad. It also integrates with Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, making it easy to access across different platforms.
Meta AI even supports image generation on certain apps, though its functionality on Mac’s Messenger app is pretty limited. For the best experience, the web version is the way to go. The best part? Meta AI is free to use.
Microsoft Copilot
Microsoft offers its AI chatbot under the Copilot brand, which runs on iPhone, iPad, and web. It combines OpenAI and Microsoft’s AI models to provide a strong chatbot experience, complete with image generation.
Copilot is free, but if you want access to premium features, Copilot Pro is available for $20 per month after a one-month free trial. This includes Copilot Voice, among other upgrades.
OpenAI ChatGPT
If you only plan to use one AI chatbot, ChatGPT is a safe bet. OpenAI’s chatbot is frequently updated and has dedicated apps for iPhone and iPad. It also offers one of the best Mac integrations, blending seamlessly with macOS.
With Apple Intelligence rolling out, ChatGPT will be even more useful, as it integrates with Siri and other Apple features.
ChatGPT is free to use, including on the web. For $20 per month, ChatGPT Plus gives you access to advanced voice mode, custom GPTs, early model releases, and more. If you need even more power, ChatGPT Pro costs $200 per month, offering unlimited access to different AI models, Sora video generation, and early access to the new Operator agent feature for U.S. users.
Perplexity
Perplexity is another independent AI company, but its focus is on AI-powered search. Recently, it integrated DeepSeek R1-powered search, with servers based in the U.S. instead of China. On top of that, it leverages models from OpenAI, Anthropic, and xAI.
Perplexity is available for free on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and web. If you want extra features, Perplexity Pro costs $20 per month.
xAI Grok
Once buried inside X (formerly Twitter), xAI’s Grok chatbot now has its own dedicated app for iPhone and iPad. Grok 2 offers strong conversational AI capabilities, impressive image generation, and real-time access to X and the web.
The free version of Grok has some limits, but X Premium subscribers get fewer restrictions. You can also use Grok on the web.
These AI chatbots offer a variety of features, from simple text-based assistance to full-on multimedia integration. Whether you need a chatbot for casual use, research, or creative projects, there’s an option out there for you. Keep an eye on these tools, as they continue to evolve with new features and improvements.
