ChatGPT vs. Microsoft Copilot vs. Gemini: Which Chatbot Should You Get?

Sorin Ciornei
thereach.ai
Published in
12 min readFeb 12, 2024

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Artificial intelligence (AI) has become an integral part of our lives, revolutionizing how we work and interact with technology. In this dynamic landscape, three prominent AI chatbots — ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, and Gemini — vie for supremacy. Let’s look into their nuances to help you make an informed choice.

Keeping up with all the latest AI tools can get confusing, especially as Microsoft added GPT-4 to Bing and renamed it to Copilot, OpenAI added new capabilities to ChatGPT, and Bard got plugged into the Google ecosystem and rebranded to Gemini.

Last week, we looked at Bing (now called Copilot) and Perplexity to figure out which one is better for everyday users, focusing on their free features.

This week, we’re checking out Gemini (formerly Bard), Copilot again, and not forgetting about ChatGPT. Let’s break it down.

We’re looking at the basics: can they help you write code, generate creative writing, riddles, and what interesting tests people have done with them.

Stick around for a simple breakdown of how these tools compare in things everyone cares about, even if you’re not a tech expert.

The Riddle Test — Gemini vs Copilot vs ChatGPT

Generative AI tools like ChatGPT have empowered users to create content effortlessly. However, with Microsoft’s integration of GPT-4 into Copilot and Google’s Gemini evolving from Bard, the competition has intensified.

First of all, we started with riddles. Here are the ones we used:

  • Riddle 1 — I’m light as a feather, but not even the strongest person can hold me for more than 5 minutes. What am I? Breath
  • Riddle 2 — How many bananas can you eat if your stomach is empty? One
  • Riddle 3 — What is 3/7 chicken, 2/3 cat and 2/4 goat? Chicago
  • Riddle 4- Using only addition, add eight 8s to get the number 1,000. 888 + 88 + 8 + 8 + 8 = 1000
  • Riddle 5- If a hen and a half lay an egg and a half in a day and a half, how many eggs will half a dozen hens lay in half a dozen days? Two dozen. If you increase both the number of hens and the amount of time available four-fold (i.e., 1.5 x 4 = 6), the number of eggs increases 16 times: 16 x 1.5 = 24.

Most of the time all of them got the answers correct, let’s see where they struggled. Copilot struggled with the math problems, here’s what we got:

It got the answer right for the first one, but somehow we overadded the same numbers a few times for some reason. The reasoning was there, so in a way it answered the riddle. In this case it’s all about the destination! Second on it tried and almost got to the right answer.

Gemini struggled with the first math problem but got the second one right:

ChatGPT 3.5 got the eggs problem wrong:

The HTML test

Granted, this test is more around fixing syntax and debugging, it might not be as comprehensive as some of the studies out there. Here is the challenge. A simple HTML code that looks like this, where we changed some things around to see if it can spot them:

All the chatbots got it right, Gemini giving even some suggestions:

Which one is for you?

1. ChatGPT

  • Ideal for: Trying the most popular AI chatbot
  • Pros: Simple interface, frequent updates, and various features
  • Cons: Users have been complaining its performance has degraded over time
  • Upgrade Option: ChatGPT Plus offers GPT-4 access for $20/month, with a wide variety of features. Very useful for SEO, coders, people that enjoy tweaking different personas to get what they want.

If you’re seeking an AI chatbot experience that stands at the forefront of technological prowess, then ChatGPT is your go-to choice. Developed by OpenAI and thrust into the limelight through a widespread preview in November 2022, this cutting-edge chatbot has swiftly amassed an impressive user base, boasting over 100 million enthusiasts. The website alone witnesses a staggering 1.8 billion monthly visitors, a testament to its widespread appeal and influence.

Not without its fair share of controversies, ChatGPT has stirred debates, particularly as users uncover its potential applications in academic tasks and workforce replacement. OpenAI has democratically opened the gates to ChatGPT, allowing users to harness its power through the GPT-3.5 model, free of charge, upon registration. For those seeking a heightened experience, the Plus version beckons, offering access to the formidable GPT-4 and an array of enhanced features, all for a reasonable $20 per month.

GPT-4, touted as the most expansive Large Language Model (LLM) among all AI chatbots, takes the helm with data training up to January 2022 and the added ability to tap into the vast expanse of the internet, facilitated by Microsoft Bing. Boasting a colossal 100 trillion parameters, surpassing its predecessor GPT-3.5 with its 175 billion parameters, GPT-4 emerges as a juggernaut in the realm of AI. The significance of these parameters lies in the model’s ability to process and comprehend information — more parameters signify a broader scope of training data, resulting in heightened accuracy and reduced susceptibility to misinformation or misinterpretation. Opt for ChatGPT, and you immerse yourself in the epitome of AI sophistication.

2. Microsoft Copilot

  • Ideal for: Seeking up-to-date information, since it’s connected to the internet.
  • Pros: Access to GPT-4, free of charge, visual features
  • Cons: Limited to a number responses per conversation, occasional delays
  • Perk: Integration with a various Microsoft products on the way, already in Win 11.

Opting for Microsoft Copilot is the way to go if you crave the latest and most up-to-date information at your fingertips. In stark contrast to the free version of ChatGPT, which is confined to offering insights leading up to early 2022, Copilot boasts the ability to access the internet. This feature allows Copilot to furnish users with real-time information, accompanied by relevant source links for added credibility.

One of Copilot’s standout features is its utilization of GPT-4, the pinnacle of OpenAI’s Large Language Models (LLM). Remarkably, Copilot provides this upgraded experience entirely free of charge. However, it comes with certain limitations, such as allowing only five responses per conversation and a character cap of 4,000 per prompt. While Copilot’s user interface may lack the straightforward simplicity of ChatGPT, it remains user-friendly and navigable.

In comparison to Bing Chat, which also taps into the internet for timely results but tends to lag in responsiveness, Copilot emerges as a more reliable option. Copilot’s responsiveness and prompt adherence set it apart from the competition, ensuring a smoother and more efficient conversational experience.

Beyond text-based interactions, Copilot goes the extra mile by offering image creation capabilities. Users can provide a description of the desired image, prompting Copilot to generate four options for them to choose from.

Adding to its versatility, Microsoft Copilot introduces different conversational styles — Creative, Balanced, and Precise. These styles allow users to tailor their interactions, determining the tone and level of detail in the responses. In summary, Microsoft Copilot proves to be a multifaceted and dynamic AI tool, providing users with not just information, but an interactive and customizable experience.

3. Google Gemini

  • Ideal for: Fast, almost unlimited experiences
  • Pros: Speedy responses, accurate answers, full Google integration
  • Cons: Previous iterations had shortcomings, now improved
  • Upgrade Option: Gemini is available with a Advanced/Ultra version for $20 a month, which will be integrated in the future with all Google products and 2TB of cloud space.

If speed and an almost boundless conversational experience are at the top of your priorities, then Gemini, Google’s AI chatbot, deserves your attention. Having observed the evolution of various AI chatbots, I’ve witnessed Google Bard, now rebranded as Gemini, addressing and surpassing previous criticisms.

Gemini stands out for its impressive speed, delivering responses that have markedly improved in accuracy over time. While it may not outpace ChatGPT Plus in terms of speed, it often proves swifter in responses compared to Copilot and the free GPT-3.5 version of ChatGPT, although results may vary. Unlike its counterparts, Gemini avoids the restriction of a predetermined number of responses. Engaging in extensive conversations is seamless with Gemini, a stark contrast to Copilot’s 30-reply limit and ChatGPT Plus’s 40-message restriction every three hours.

Google has infused Gemini with a visual flair, incorporating more visual elements than its competitors. Users can harness Gemini’s image generation capabilities and even upload photos through integration with Google Lens. Additionally, Gemini extends its functionality with plugins for Kayak, OpenTable, Instacart, and Wolfram Alpha, enhancing the user experience.

The integration of Extensions further positions Gemini as a comprehensive Google experience. Users can augment their interactions by adding extensions for Google Workspace, YouTube, Google Maps, Google Flights, and Google Hotels. This integration not only personalizes the experience but also expands the scope of Gemini, making it a versatile tool seamlessly intertwined with the broader Google ecosystem. In summary, if you seek a swift, expansive, and increasingly integrated AI chatbot experience, Gemini emerges as a compelling choice within the realm of conversational AI.

Evolution of Gemini: Unraveling the Upgrades

Gemini, formerly Bard, has undergone significant enhancements. Focusing on speed, accuracy, and an expansive Google experience, Gemini stands out.

1. What is Gemini?

  • Introduction: Google’s conversational AI chatbot, now Gemini, pulls information from the web.
  • Release: Announced on February 6, 2023, and renamed Gemini on February 8, 2024.
  • Performance: Evolved through LaMDA to PaLM 2 and finally Gemini Pro for optimal efficiency.

2. How Gemini Works

  • Upgrades: LaMDA to PaLM 2 to Gemini Pro, utilizing Google’s proprietary LLMs.
  • Public Availability: Open to the general public, accessible on desktop and soon on mobile.

3. Multimodal Search and Images in Gemini

  • Multimodal Search: Introduced in July 2023, integrating Google Lens for picture-based queries.
  • Image Generation: Gemini can generate images using Imagen 2, Google’s advanced text-to-image model.

Who is Gemini?

1. Is Gemini available in multiple languages?

  • Yes, Gemini supports over 40 languages, surpassing ChatGPT’s English-only availability.

2. Can Gemini reverse image search?

  • Absolutely, Gemini incorporates multimodal search, allowing users to input pictures alongside text.

3. Does Gemini offer a paid subscription?

  • Yes, Google One AI Premium Plan at $19.99/month provides access to Gemini Advanced, powered by Ultra 1.0.

Conclusion

Finally, check out some of these other tests people have done:

ZDNET played with a riddle about counting oranges, check it out here.

Users on reddit have looked at Claude as well, here are the results:

All in all, the test we conducted today will likely differ in a week, given the rapid pace of advancement with these tools. Furthermore, the future integrations these tools receive for various products will not only enhance their ability to provide helpful content but also increase their usability, leading to a rise in adoption.

We’ve gone through a similar phase before with Siri, Cortana, Google, or Alexa — they were considered cool assistants for their time, and for a while, they experienced a significant surge in adoption. Even today, many people rely on Siri to write messages and read emails while driving. These use cases probably only scratch the surface of these solutions’ capabilities, but they are the initial types of use cases that people tend to gravitate toward.

The question of ‘whatever works for you’ might be the wrong one — a better question is which ecosystem you are more comfortable using or perhaps which one you are already locked into. In the end, these AI solutions will likely provide very similar results across the board, both today and in the future.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) — Your Guide to AI Chatbots

1. Why compare ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, and Google Gemini?

We’re diving into the world of AI chatbots — ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, and Google Gemini — to help you choose the best fit for your needs. It’s like comparing different superheroes; each has its own strengths!

2. How has Microsoft Copilot changed, and what was it called before?

Microsoft Copilot used to be Bing but got a cool upgrade with GPT-4. It’s like Bing leveling up to superhero status!

3. Why is Google’s AI chatbot called Gemini, and what was its old name?

Google’s AI used to be called Bard, but now it’s known as Gemini. Think of it as a superhero changing their name to something more powerful!

4. What are the tests about, and why riddles?

We’re putting these chatbots to the test — writing code, creative writing, and solving riddles. Riddles are like brain teasers to see how smart our AI superheroes really are!

5. How did the AI chatbots do in the Riddle Test?

Our AI heroes — Copilot, Gemini, and ChatGPT — did well overall. They aced most riddles, but each had a moment where they stumbled. It’s like seeing superheroes facing challenges but still saving the day!

6. Can you explain the HTML test in simpler terms?

We threw some tricky computer language stuff at them, like fixing mistakes in a puzzle. Surprisingly, all our heroes cracked the code!

7. Which AI chatbot is right for me?

  • ChatGPT: It’s like the friendly neighborhood superhero, easy to use with lots of cool updates. But some users say it’s not as sharp as it used to be.
  • Microsoft Copilot: The internet superhero! Great for up-to-date info, and it’s free. It has a few limits, but it’s getting even better with Microsoft magic.
  • Google Gemini: The speedy superhero! It’s quick, accurate, and fully integrated with Google. Plus, it’s leveling up with more features for just $20 a month.

8. What’s the deal with Gemini’s evolution?

Gemini started as Bard and got major upgrades. Think of it as a superhero training montage, getting faster and smarter with each step!

9. How did the AI chatbots handle the Riddle Test?

They did well, like superheroes showing off their skills. Copilot struggled a bit with math, Gemini had a hiccup with the first math problem, and ChatGPT stumbled on an egg riddle.

10. What’s the bottom line for these AI chatbots?

Just like how different superheroes save the day, each AI has its strengths. Consider what you need — whether it’s simplicity, internet smarts, or speed — and pick the superhero that suits your style! These AIs might just make your digital world a little more super.

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I appreciate your time and attention to my latest article. Here at Medium and at LinkedIn I regularly write about AI, workplace, business and technology trends. If you enjoyed this article, you can also find it on www.thereach.ai, a website dedicated to showcasing AI applications and innovations.

If you want to stay connected with me and read my future articles, you can subscribe to my free newsletter. You can also reach out to me on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram. I’d love to hear from you!

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Sorin Ciornei
thereach.ai

Passionate about technology, nature, ecosystems and exceptional cuisine. Newsletter - https://t.co/YApNUM9Pjq