AI Showdown: ChatGPT vs. Copilot vs. Gemini

Each brings unique features and strengths to the table, catering to different needs and use cases. But which one truly leads the pack?

Glenn Burgess

AI chatbots are more popular than ever, and with new updates coming out so often, it can be hard to figure out which one is the best. How do you decide which chatbot stands out from the rest?

Artificial intelligence (AI) has changed how we work and have fun over the last 18 months. Now, almost anyone can write code, create art, or even make investments using AI. Tools like ChatGPT are great for both professionals and hobbyists, making it easy to create good content from just a simple prompt.

But with so many new AI tools, it can get confusing. Microsoft added GPT-4 to Bing Chat and renamed it Copilot, OpenAI improved ChatGPT and released GPT-4 Turbo, and Google updated Bard and now calls it Gemini.

Figuring out which of these popular AI chatbots is best for writing code, generating text, or building resumes can be tough. Let’s look at the key differences so you can pick the one that’s right for you.

Testing ChatGPT vs. Copilot vs. Gemini

To determine which AI chatbot gives the most accurate answers, I tested them with a simple prompt:

“I have 5 oranges today. I ate 3 oranges last week. How many oranges do I have left?”

The correct answer is five because the oranges eaten last week don’t change the number you have today. Here’s how each AI chatbot performed:

ChatGPT with GPT-4 Turbo: Succeeded
ChatGPT with GPT-4 Turbo Mini: Succeeded
ChatGPT with GPT-4: Succeeded
ChatGPT with GPT-3.5: Failed
Microsoft Copilot: Succeeded
Google Gemini: Succeeded
Google Gemini Advanced: Succeeded

Now, let’s explore why you might be choosing ChatGPT over Microsoft Copilot and Google Gemini.

1. You want the most advanced AI chatbot for free

OpenAI offers access to ChatGPT, powered by GPT-3.5 and GPT-4 Turbo, for free with a registered account. If you’re willing to pay £16 per month for the Plus version, you can access GPT-4, get a higher prompt limit with GPT-4 Turbo, and enjoy early access to new features.

GPT-4 Turbo is a new multimodal model available to both free and paid ChatGPT users. Instead of using separate models for text (GPT-4), images (DALL-E 3), and voice (Whisper), ChatGPT now uses GPT-4 Turbo for everything. This makes it faster for paying users and just as effective for those using the free version.

In addition to the new GPT-4 Turbo model, free users now also have access to most of the features that were once exclusive to ChatGPT Plus users. These include web browsing, access to custom GPTs, ChatGPT Memory, and advanced data analysis.

2. You want to try the most popular AI chatbot

OpenAI introduced ChatGPT to the public in November 2022. Since then, it has gained millions of users and sparked debates, especially because it can help with schoolwork and take over some jobs.

I’ve been using ChatGPT almost every day since it launched. Its design has stayed simple, but small updates have made it better, like giving free users access to GPT-4o, adding Custom Instructions & making access easier.

While ChatGPT is a useful AI tool, it can sometimes spread wrong information. Like other large language models, GPT-3.5 is not perfect and is trained on data only up to January 2022.

It also sometimes misses details, like when it wrongly said we had two oranges left in a math problem when the correct answer was five. The GPT-4o model got math problem right because it understood whole problem better.

Next, let’s look at Microsoft Copilot, which lets you use GPT-4 for free.

You should use Microsoft Copilot if...

1. You want to use GPT-4 for free

Although the free version of ChatGPT allows you to use GPT-4o, you’re limited to about 15 messages every three hours, or even fewer during busy times. Once you hit this limit, your chat switches to GPT-3.5, which only provides information up to Jan 2022 & doesn’t support more complex tasks.

In contrast, Copilot can access the internet to provide more current information and includes source links. It uses GPT-4, which is also free to use, but you can only get five responses per conversation and enter up to 4,000 characters per prompt. Copilot will eventually include GPT-4o, but this update isn’t widely available yet.

Copilot’s interface is a bit more cluttered than ChatGPT’s, but still user-friendly. It can give you more up-to-date results than GPT-3.5 but can sometimes stall before replying and it might miss some prompts, which is more often than ChatGPT.

2. You prefer more visual features

Microsoft has updated Copilot several times to add visual features. Now, if you ask Copilot questions like, “What is a Tasmanian devil?” you’ll get answers with photos, lifespan, diet, and other details, making it easier to read compared to just text.

You can also ask Copilot to create images. Just describe what you want, and Copilot will generate four images for you to choose from.

Copilot offers different conversation styles: Creative, Balanced, and Precise. These styles change how detailed or simple the responses are. Historically, Precise has been the most accurate, but recently, Creative answered a question correctly when Precise did not.

Next, let’s look at Google’s Gemini, formerly known as Bard. It uses Google’s Gemini LLM and has had many updates recently.

You should use Gemini if...

1. You want a fast, almost unlimited experience

During my testing of various AI chatbots, Google Bard faced a lot of criticism for its issues. While some of that criticism was valid, Google’s updated AI chatbot, now called Gemini, has shown significant improvement. It uses a new AI model & has become much better, though it can still make mistakes.

Gemini provides quick answers, which have become more accurate over time. It’s not as fast as ChatGPT Plus, but it’s quicker than Copilot and the free GPT-3.5 version of ChatGPT. However, your experience might vary.

Previously, Bard made mistakes similar to other chatbots, like solving a math problem incorrectly using the 5 – 3 = 2 formula. But now, Gemini, powered by Google’s new Gemini Pro LLM, gets such problems right.

Gemini also doesn’t limit the number of responses in a conversation, unlike Copilot, which only allows five replies per chat, and ChatGPT Plus, which restricts users to 40 messages every three hours.

2. You want the full Google experience

Google’s Gemini also includes more visual features compared to Copilot. With Gemini, users can generate images, upload photos through Google Lens, and use plugins for services like Kayak, OpenTable, Instacart, and Wolfram Alpha.

Gemini is becoming more integrated with Google’s ecosystem through extensions. You can add tools for Google Workspace, YouTube, Google Maps, Google Flights, and Google Hotels, making it a more personalised and helpful experience.

Conclusion

In conclusion, each AI chatbot offers unique features and benefits:

ChatGPT: Provides reliable responses and has been continually updated with improvements, including access to GPT-4o for free users. However, it has message limits and may switch to GPT-3.5 after a certain number of interactions.
Microsoft Copilot: Offers access to GPT-4 and integrates features like image generation and internet access for more current information. It has a limited number of responses per conversation and may sometimes stall or miss prompts.
Google Gemini: Has shown significant improvement from its earlier version, Bard, with faster and more accurate responses. It includes extensive visual features, image generation, and integration with various Google services and plugins. Gemini also allows unlimited conversation responses, enhancing user experience.

Overall, the choice between these chatbots depends on your needs: whether you prefer a more integrated Google experience, the latest features from Microsoft, or the reliable and evolving responses from OpenAI.