Which AI should you choose?
AI assistants look alike on the surface, but differ on what matters: price, control over your data, and what they do best. Here is our clear comparison — to decide in one page.
| Assistant | Best for | Indicative price | Model | Data | French |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸 ChatGPT | The most versatile | Free (limited) · Plus ~$20/mo | Closed | 🇺🇸 Outside EU | Excellent |
| 🇺🇸 Claude | Writing & reasoning | Free (limited) · Pro ~$20/mo | Closed | 🇺🇸 Outside EU | Excellent |
| 🇫🇷 Le Chat (Mistral AI) | The sovereign alternative | Free (generous) · Pro ~€15/mo | Mixed | 🇪🇺 Europe (GDPR) | Excellent |
| 🇺🇸 Gemini | If you live in Google | Free · AI Pro ~$20/mo | Closed | 🇺🇸 Outside EU | Excellent |
| 🇺🇸 Microsoft Copilot | If you live in Microsoft 365 | Free · Pro ~$20/mo | Closed | 🇺🇸 Outside EU | Very good |
| 🇺🇸 Perplexity | Sourced research | Free · Pro ~$20/mo | Closed | 🇺🇸 Outside EU | Very good |
| 🇺🇸 Grok | Real-time via X | Free (limited) · via X Premium | Mixed | 🇺🇸 Outside EU | Very good |
🇺🇸 ChatGPT
OpenAI The most versatileData in the United States. "Do not train" option in settings.
- Mainstream reference, huge ecosystem
- Generates text, images, voice, code, file analysis
- Very good in French
- Data hosted outside the EU
- Best features are paid
- Closed models
🇺🇸 Claude
Anthropic Writing & reasoningData in the United States. Chats not used for training by default.
Claude is the assistant that helped build this site.
- Excellent for long-form text and reasoning
- Very strong at code
- Natural tone, nuanced answers
- Data hosted outside the EU
- No image generation
- Less mainstream than ChatGPT
🇫🇷 Le Chat (Mistral AI)
Mistral AI The sovereign alternative SovereignFrench maker, data in Europe, native GDPR compliance.
Our pick when data control comes first.
- Sovereignty: data in Europe, GDPR
- Several open models (self-hostable)
- Fast, flawless French, generous free tier
- Smaller ecosystem than the US giants
- A few cutting-edge features lag behind
🇺🇸 Gemini
Google If you live in GoogleData in the United States, tied to your Google account.
- Built into Google Search and Workspace (Gmail, Docs)
- Great at understanding images and documents
- Comfortable free tier
- Data hosted outside the EU
- Locks you into the Google world
- Closed models
🇺🇸 Microsoft Copilot
Microsoft If you live in Microsoft 365Data in the United States; enterprise plans offer residency commitments.
- Built into Windows and Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, Outlook)
- Handy for businesses already on Microsoft
- Powered by OpenAI models
- Data hosted outside the EU
- Extra cost for full Office integration
- Little point outside the Microsoft world
🇺🇸 Perplexity
Perplexity AI Sourced researchData in the United States. Aggregates several third-party models.
- Answers with cited sources (verifiable links)
- Great for monitoring and finding recent info
- Gives access to several models
- Data hosted outside the EU
- Less suited to long-form or creative writing
- Does not build its own models
🇺🇸 Grok
xAI Real-time via XData in the United States, tied to the X ecosystem.
- Real-time access to X (ex-Twitter) content
- Unfiltered tone
- Some models released openly
- Data hosted outside the EU
- Tightly tied to the X network
- Less mature than the leaders
Our verdict
Frequently asked questions
Which free AI should I pick?
Le Chat (Mistral) and Gemini have the most generous free tiers. ChatGPT and Claude are free too, but their usage limits are reached sooner.
Which AI keeps my data in Europe?
Le Chat, from French maker Mistral AI: data in Europe and native GDPR compliance. It is the safest choice when data control matters — and never paste sensitive data into any public tool.
ChatGPT or Claude?
ChatGPT is the most versatile (text, images, voice, file analysis). Claude excels at long-form writing, reasoning and code. Both are excellent in French.
Is there a French AI?
Yes: Mistral AI, founded in Paris in 2023, with its "Le Chat" assistant and several open models (downloadable and self-hostable).
Do I need to pay?
To get started, the free tier is plenty. Paying (~€15–23/mo) unlocks the most powerful models, higher limits and advanced features. Start free, pay only if you hit the limits.