Compare Microsoft Copilot - AI Assistant, Perplexity - AI Search Assistant, and AI Assistant by xAI: Which App is the Best?
A smart search app that gives you direct answers with sources, instead of just showing you websites to visit. It is a good alternative to ChatGPT. | A helpful AI assistant that can chat, create images, and work with Microsoft Office apps. It is a good alternative to ChatGPT. | Grok is xAI's AI assistant that combines real-time information access with a witty personality, offering text generation, image creation, and seamless X platform integration. | |||||
| Key Features A summary of the most important features offered by each app. |
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| Our Rating Prod Apps's expert review score for each app, based on hands-on testing and research. | 8.2 | 8.5 Winner in this category | 7.3 | ||||
| Total users Total active users across all major browsers: Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari. | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| Total ratings Total number of user ratings received across all supported browsers. | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| Average rating Average user rating across all browsers, calculated from available store ratings. | — ⭐ | — ⭐ | — ⭐ | ||||
| Entry Level Price The minimum price required to start using the app. "Free" means a free tier is available. | Free | Free | Free | ||||
| Android User rating and stats for the app on Android browser. |  Downloads | Downloads | Downloads | ||||
| iOS User rating and stats for the app on iOS browser. |  | | | ||||
| Features Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Features' aspect of each app. | 9.0 Perplexity has all the features you'd want from an AI search tool, plus some nice extras that make it really useful. What We Like Most:
Winner in this category | 9.0 Microsoft Copilot has a lot of useful features. The main thing it does really well is chat with you like a helpful friend. You can ask it questions, get help with writing, or just have a conversation. You don't even need to sign up to start using it. What we really liked:
Winner in this category | 8.0 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:
However, we noticed that some advanced features are locked behind the X Premium+ subscription, which may limit accessibility for casual users. | ||||
| Performance Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Performance' aspect of each app. | 8.0 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. | 9.0 Microsoft Copilot works really well. The chat responses come back quickly, and the AI usually understands what you're asking for. We didn't experience any lag or crashes while using it. The image creation feature is surprisingly fast. You describe what you want, and within a few seconds, you get a picture. The quality is usually pretty good too. The voice feature works smoothly. It understands what you're saying most of the time, and the responses are clear and natural-sounding. If you use it with Microsoft Office apps, the integration works seamlessly. You can switch between Copilot and your documents without any problems. The app doesn't drain your battery too much, and it doesn't take up a lot of storage space. Overall, it performs really well for an AI assistant. Winner in this category | 8.0 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:
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. | ||||
| Design Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Design' aspect of each app. | 8.0 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.
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. Winner in this category | 8.0 The app looks clean and modern. It's easy to figure out how to use it, even if you've never used an AI assistant before. The chat interface is simple - just type and hit send, like texting a friend. We liked how the image creation feature works. You just type what you want to see, and the app shows you the picture. It's straightforward and doesn't require any special knowledge. The voice feature has nice visual feedback - you can see when it's listening and when it's processing what you said. This makes it feel more natural to use. Overall, the design is good but not perfect. Some parts could use a bit more polish, but it gets the job done without being confusing. Winner in this category | 7.0 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:
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. | ||||
| Value for Money Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Value for Money' aspect of each app. | 8.0 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. Winner in this category | 8.0 Microsoft Copilot offers good value. You can use it for free, which gives you access to chat with AI and create images. This is actually pretty generous compared to some other AI apps. The free version is good enough for most people. You can ask questions, get help with writing, and create images without paying anything. If you want more features, there's Copilot Pro for $20 per month. This gives you:
It's worth it if you use Office a lot for work. The pricing is reasonable compared to other AI assistants. The free tier is quite good, and the Pro version offers real value for people who need the extra features. Winner in this category | 6.0 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:
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. | ||||
| Ease of Use Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Ease of Use' aspect of each app. | 9.0 This might be the easiest AI tool we've ever used. You literally just open it and start asking questions - no setup, no learning curve, no complicated menus. We tested it with people who aren't very tech-savvy, and they figured it out immediately. The voice feature is especially intuitive - you just tap the microphone and start talking. The app responds quickly, and the conversation flow feels natural. You can ask follow-up questions without having to repeat yourself, which makes it feel like talking to a real person. Everything is where you'd expect it to be:
That's why we gave it a 9 out of 10. It's so simple that anyone can use it, but it still has enough features to be useful for power users. Winner in this category | 9.0 This is probably one of the easiest AI assistants to use. You can start chatting right away without any complicated setup. No account needed for basic features, which is nice. Getting started is simple:
We didn't need to read any instructions to figure out how to use it. The voice feature is really well done. You just tap the microphone button and start talking. It understands what you're saying most of the time, and the responses are clear. Creating images is also super easy. You just describe what you want, and the AI makes it for you. No need to learn complicated settings or options. We give it a 9 out of 10 because it's so easy to use. Even people who aren't tech-savvy should be able to figure it out quickly. Winner in this category | 8.0 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:
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 & Privacy Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Security & Privacy' aspect of each app. | 7.0 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:
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. | 8.0 Microsoft Copilot gets an 8 out of 10 for security and privacy. Since it's made by Microsoft, it uses the same security measures that protect their other products like Office and Windows. Your conversations and the images you create are encrypted, which means they're protected from hackers. Microsoft has a good track record with keeping user data safe. If you sign in with your Microsoft account, you get extra security features like two-factor authentication. This adds another layer of protection to your account. Microsoft is pretty clear about how they handle your data. They don't sell your information to other companies, and you can control what data they collect. Just remember - like with any AI app, don't share really personal or sensitive information. While Microsoft keeps things secure, it's always better to be careful about what you share. Winner in this category | 7.0 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:
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. | ||||
| Conclusion A summary of our findings and final thoughts for each app. | We've been using Perplexity for a while now and honestly, it's become our go-to when we need quick, reliable answers. It's super easy to use and the fact that it shows you where it got its information from is really helpful. The free version is great for most people, but if you use it a lot, the Pro version is worth considering. If you want a search tool that actually gives you good answers instead of just links, definitely give Perplexity a try. | We've been using Microsoft Copilot for a while now and really like it. It's great for chatting with AI, creating images, and getting help with work. The free version is pretty good, but if you use Microsoft Office a lot, the Pro version is worth considering. | Grok stands out as a unique AI assistant with its real-time information access and distinctive personality. While the requirement for X Premium+ subscription may be a barrier for some users, those who invest in the platform will find a powerful AI tool that combines humor, intelligence, and current awareness in an engaging package. | ||||
| Our Recommendation | |||||||
