Compare Google Gemini, Perplexity AI, DeepSeek AI, and Grok: Which App is the Best?

DeepSeek AI has a solid set of features that make it a great alternative to paid AI assistants. It does more than just answer questions - it's like having a smart friend who can help with pretty much anything.

Here's what we really liked:

1. The AI is really smart

This thing is powered by a massive AI model with over 600 billion parameters. That's a lot of brainpower! It can handle complex questions, coding problems, and analytical tasks really well.

2. It shows its work

Unlike most AI assistants, DeepSeek actually shows you how it thinks through problems. This is especially helpful when you're learning something new or debugging code. It breaks everything down step by step.

3. It's completely free

No catch, no hidden fees, no premium tiers. You get unlimited access to this powerful AI without paying anything. That's pretty rare these days.

4. It works everywhere

Whether you're on Android or iOS, the experience is the same. No need to worry about compatibility issues.

The main downsides:

• No voice features
• No image generation
• No file uploads

But for basic AI chat and coding help, it's really solid.

We give features an 8.5 - it does the core stuff really well, but could use some extra bells and whistles.

Grok's feature set is impressive and comprehensive. The real-time information access is what really sets it apart - you can ask about current events and get up-to-the-minute answers that other AI assistants simply can't provide. The multimodal capabilities are particularly strong, with image generation that produces striking visuals and the ability to analyze uploaded images providing valuable insights.

The integration with X platform is seamless and adds significant value for users already invested in that ecosystem. Grok's personality features, including its witty responses and rebellious tone, make interactions more engaging than typical AI assistants.

Key Features:

• Real-time information access
• Multimodal AI (text, image generation, image analysis)
• Witty and rebellious personality
• Seamless X platform integration
• Advanced reasoning capabilities

However, we noticed that some advanced features are locked behind the X Premium+ subscription, which may limit accessibility for casual users.

The app runs smoothly most of the time. We tested it on different devices and network conditions, and it usually responds within a few seconds. The voice recognition works well even with background noise.

Search results load quickly, and the app handles complex questions without crashing or freezing. The sync between devices works reliably, so you can switch between your phone and computer seamlessly.

We did notice some slowdowns during peak hours, and occasionally the app would take longer to respond to very complex questions. Some users have reported connection issues, but we didn't experience any major problems during our testing.

Overall, it performs well for an AI app. The occasional hiccups are minor and don't really affect the user experience.

Performance is a bit hit or miss with DeepSeek AI. When it's working well, it's great. When it's not, it can be frustrating.

When everything is running smoothly, the app responds quickly and works without any lag. The AI processes your questions fast and gives good answers.

It works consistently across different devices, so you get the same experience whether you're on Android or iOS.

What works well:

• Fast responses: When servers are working, it's quick
• Reliable interface: The app itself doesn't crash much
• Cross-platform: Works the same on all devices

The problem is that the servers seem to get overloaded a lot. You'll often see "server busy" messages, and sometimes the app just doesn't work at all. The recent drop in ratings from 4.2 to 3.98 stars suggests this is an ongoing issue.

Common issues users report:

• Server busy messages
• Slow response times
• App not working at all
• Lagging interface

It's not the app's fault - it's more about server capacity and infrastructure. But it definitely affects how useful the app is.

We give performance a 6.5 - good when it works, but the reliability issues are a real problem.

The extension performs seamlessly, allowing you to interact with Grok without any lag or interruptions. The app handles text generation efficiently, and the image generation feature produces results quickly while maintaining good quality. The integration with X platform works smoothly, with minimal latency when accessing real-time information.

Performance Highlights:

• Fast text generation responses
• Quick image generation with good quality
• Smooth X platform integration
• Stable across different devices
• Good network performance

We did notice occasional performance variations, particularly during peak usage times, but these were infrequent and didn't significantly impact the user experience. The app maintains good stability across different devices and network conditions. The multimodal features, including image analysis and generation, perform consistently well, though some users have reported occasional delays with complex requests. Overall, the performance meets expectations for a modern AI assistant application.

The app looks clean and modern, which makes it easy to use. We really like how simple the interface is - there's no clutter or confusing buttons.

• The search bar is right where you expect it to be
• Answers are formatted nicely with clear sections
• Sources are listed in a way that's easy to read and click on
• Works well on different screen sizes
• Dark mode option is nice for reading at night

There have been some recent updates that confused users at first, but the design team seems to be listening to feedback and making improvements. Overall, it's a good-looking app that's easy on the eyes.

The design is clean and straightforward. Nothing fancy, but it gets the job done without getting in your way.

We like how simple it is to use. The chat interface looks familiar - just like any messaging app you've used before. The text is easy to read, and the buttons are where you'd expect them to be.

It works well on both phones and tablets, and the layout adjusts nicely to different screen sizes. The app doesn't try to be flashy, which is actually kind of refreshing.

What we liked:

• Clean chat interface: Easy to read messages and clear conversation flow
• Simple layout: No confusing menus or hidden features
• Works on all devices: Looks good on both Android and iOS
• Easy to navigate: Everything is where you'd expect it to be

The downside? It's pretty basic looking. No cool animations or fancy themes. Some people might find it boring, but we think it's actually better this way - less distraction, more focus on the AI responses.

We give design a 7.5 - it's functional and clean, but could use a bit more personality.

The design is clean and functional, following modern mobile app conventions. The interface is intuitive with a familiar chat-based layout that users will find immediately recognizable. The dark theme with X's signature styling creates a cohesive brand experience that feels premium and polished.

The app's visual hierarchy is well-structured, making it easy to distinguish between different types of content - text responses, generated images, and interface elements.

Design Highlights:

• Clean, modern chat interface
• Dark theme with X branding
• Clear visual hierarchy
• Intuitive navigation

However, we found that the design could benefit from more customization options and that the interface occasionally feels somewhat basic compared to more feature-rich competitors. The minimalist approach works well for the core functionality but may leave power users wanting more advanced interface options.

The free version is surprisingly good. You get most of the core features without paying anything, which is rare these days. We tested the free version extensively and found it works great for everyday use.

What we really like is that the free version doesn't feel like a limited trial. You can use it indefinitely without feeling like you're missing out on essential features. That's refreshing compared to other apps that constantly push you to upgrade.

For most people, the free version is all you need. Only upgrade if you find yourself hitting the limits or need the advanced features.

Grok's value proposition is somewhat mixed. The requirement for X Premium+ subscription ($16/month) creates a significant barrier to entry, especially when compared to free alternatives like ChatGPT or other AI assistants. However, for users already invested in the X ecosystem, Grok provides unique value through its real-time information access and distinctive personality.

Value Breakdown:

• Free Tier: Limited access to basic features
• Premium ($16/month): Full access to all features
• Best For: X ecosystem users and power users
• Alternative: Free AI assistants available

The premium features, including advanced image generation and priority access, do offer tangible benefits, but the cost may be prohibitive for casual users. We found that the value is most apparent for power users who can leverage the real-time information capabilities and advanced features regularly. For occasional users or those primarily interested in basic AI assistance, the subscription requirement may not justify the cost compared to free alternatives.

This might be the easiest AI assistant we've ever used. Seriously, you can start using it right away without any setup.

Download the app, open it, and start typing. That's it. No account needed, no complicated settings to figure out.

It works the same way on both Android and iOS, so if you switch phones, you won't have to relearn anything.

What makes it so easy:

• No setup required: Just download and start chatting
• Familiar interface: Looks and works like any chat app
• Simple input: Type your question and hit send
• Clear responses: Easy to read answers with good formatting

The only annoying thing is that sometimes you get "server busy" messages when the app is overloaded. And there's not much guidance for new users on how to get the best results.

But overall, it's really user-friendly. We give ease of use an 8.0 - it's super simple to use, though the occasional server issues can be frustrating.

Grok is remarkably easy to use, especially for users already familiar with chat-based AI interfaces. The onboarding process is straightforward, and the app's core functionality is immediately accessible. The chat interface is intuitive, with clear input areas and well-organized response layouts.

We particularly loved how the app handles different types of interactions - text conversations, image generation, and image analysis - all through a unified interface that doesn't overwhelm users. The integration with X platform is seamless, making it easy for existing X users to access Grok.

What Makes It Easy:

• Familiar chat-based interface
• Straightforward onboarding
• Unified interaction system
• Seamless X platform integration

However, we did notice that some advanced features might not be immediately discoverable for new users, and the subscription requirement could be clearer during the initial setup process.

Security and privacy get a 7 out of 10 from us. The app uses standard security practices like encryption, which is good. The privacy policy is clear about what data they collect and how they use it.

You have some control over your data:

• Delete your search history
• Manage your account settings
• Control what data is shared

However, some users have concerns about how much data is being collected for AI training. The privacy controls could be more detailed and easier to access. We'd like to see more options for users who want to limit data collection.

Overall, it seems safe to use, but we'd recommend reading the privacy policy if you're concerned about data collection.

Privacy is a mixed bag with DeepSeek AI. On the plus side, you don't need an account to use it, which means they're not collecting your email or personal info.

What we liked:

• No account needed: You can use it without giving any personal information
• Minimal data collection: They don't seem to track much about you
• No social features: Your conversations stay private

The downside? It's an AI assistant, so it has to process and store your conversations to work. They probably use your chats to improve their AI model, which is pretty standard for these apps.

They don't sell your data to third parties, which is good. But you should know that your conversations are being processed and stored somewhere.

It's more private than apps that require accounts and collect lots of personal info, but less private than apps that keep everything on your device.

We give privacy a 7.0 - reasonable for an AI assistant, but not perfect.

Grok's security and privacy practices are generally solid, with xAI implementing standard industry practices for data protection. The app requires appropriate permissions and follows modern security protocols for user authentication and data transmission. However, we noted some concerns about data sharing practices, particularly regarding the integration with X platform and potential data usage for training purposes.

Security & Privacy Features:

• Standard industry security protocols
• Appropriate permission requirements
• Basic privacy controls
• Data encryption in transit

Users should be aware that conversations and interactions may be used to improve the AI model, which is common practice but worth noting for privacy-conscious users. The app does provide basic privacy controls, but we found the privacy policy could be more transparent about specific data usage and retention policies. Overall, the security measures appear adequate for typical use cases, though users with high privacy requirements may want to review the detailed privacy terms.