AI assistants now draft emails, summarise documents, analyse spreadsheets, research markets and write code. For a business, the differences that matter are where each assistant lives (standalone or inside Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace), what company data it can use, how it is priced and how it is governed.
We ranked the leading assistants for the situations small businesses face most. AI products change monthly, so pilot with your own tasks before rolling out widely.
The bottom line
ChatGPT is the best all-round AI assistant for most businesses. Claude is the best for writing and long documents, Gemini is the natural choice for Google Workspace, and Microsoft 365 Copilot is the best for Microsoft-centric organisations. Perplexity is the best research tool, and Mistral's Le Chat is a strong European option.
Our top picks
- 1
Best overallChatGPT8.6Editorial score 8.6 out of 10 - 2
Best for writing and documentsClaude8.4Editorial score 8.4 out of 10 - 3
Best for Google WorkspaceGoogle Gemini8.4Editorial score 8.4 out of 10 - 4
Best for Microsoft 365Microsoft 365 Copilot8.5Editorial score 8.5 out of 10 - 5
Best for researchPerplexity8.2Editorial score 8.2 out of 10 - 6
Best European optionMistral Le Chat7.9Editorial score 7.9 out of 10
Scores are editorial assessments based on research. Prices are indicative.
ChatGPT
ResearchedThe most versatile assistant with the broadest toolset: custom GPTs, data analysis, image generation and connectors.
ChatGPT handles drafting, analysis, coding help, image generation, web search and file analysis in one interface. Business plans add a shared workspace, admin controls and data excluded from training by default.
Ideal for: Mixed-tool teams wanting one general assistant.
Watch out for: Business plans add per-seat cost on top of your suite.
Pros
- Very broad capabilities
- Strong ecosystem and custom GPTs
- File and data analysis
Cons
- Can produce confident errors
- Usage limits vary by plan
Claude
ResearchedExcellent long-document analysis, careful reasoning and nuanced writing, with Projects for shared reference material.
Claude excels at reading long documents, careful writing, reasoning and coding assistance. Team and enterprise plans add shared projects, admin controls and data protections suited to business use.
Ideal for: Writers, analysts, legal and technical teams.
Watch out for: Team plan has a minimum seat count.
Pros
- Strong long-context handling
- High-quality writing
- Projects for shared context
Cons
- Usage caps on lower tiers
- Fewer built-in media tools
Google Gemini
ResearchedAI inside Gmail, Docs, Sheets and Meet, included in many Workspace business plans.
Gemini provides a standalone assistant plus AI features across Google Workspace. For businesses already using Gmail, Docs and Drive, it brings AI to where the work already happens.
Ideal for: Companies running on Google Workspace.
Watch out for: Most valuable inside Google's apps.
Pros
- Native in Gmail, Docs, Sheets
- Strong multimodal features
- Workspace admin controls
Cons
- Best experience requires Workspace
- Feature availability varies by plan
Microsoft 365 Copilot
ResearchedGrounded in your organisation's emails, files and meetings through Microsoft Graph.
Microsoft 365 Copilot brings AI into Office apps and Teams, drawing on your emails, files and meetings through Microsoft Graph. It respects existing Microsoft 365 permissions, which makes good permission hygiene essential.
Ideal for: Microsoft 365 organisations.
Watch out for: Microsoft 365 Copilot is a paid add-on.
Pros
- Deep Office integration
- Uses organisational context
- Enterprise-grade admin and compliance
Cons
- Relatively expensive add-on
- Requires good permission hygiene
Perplexity
ResearchedCited answers from the web, making facts easy to verify.
Perplexity combines AI models with live web search, returning answers with numbered citations. Pro and Enterprise plans let you choose between several leading models, upload files and organise research into Spaces, with admin and data controls on business plans.
Ideal for: Analysts, marketers and founders doing desk research.
Watch out for: Less suited to drafting and analysis.
Pros
- Answers with citations
- Choice of models on paid plans
- Fast and easy
Cons
- Citations still need checking
- Fewer integrations
Mistral Le Chat
ResearchedA capable assistant from a European AI company, with affordable Pro and Team plans.
Le Chat is Mistral AI's assistant, offering fast responses, web search, document upload, image generation and agents. As a European company, Mistral appeals to organisations prioritising EU data residency, and its models are also available via API and for self-hosting.
Ideal for: Teams that prefer a European provider.
Watch out for: Smaller ecosystem of integrations.
Pros
- Very fast responses
- European provider
- Open-weight models available
Cons
- Smaller ecosystem
- Fewer integrations
Comparison table
| Tool | Best for | Score | From (indicative) | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ChatGPT | Best overall | 8.6 | Free tier; business plans from around $25–30 / user / month | Yes |
| Claude | Best for writing and documents | 8.4 | Free tier; team plans from around $25–30 / user / month | Yes |
| Google Gemini | Best for Google Workspace | 8.4 | Free tier; included with many Google Workspace business plans | Yes |
| Microsoft 365 Copilot | Best for Microsoft 365 | 8.5 | Add-on licence around $30 / user / month for business plans | Yes |
| Perplexity | Best for research | 8.2 | Free; Pro around $20 / month; Enterprise from around $40 / user | Yes |
| Mistral Le Chat | Best European option | 7.9 | Free; Pro around $15 / month; Team from around $25 / user | Yes |
Feature matrix
| Feature | ChatGPT | Claude | Google Gemini | Microsoft 365 Copilot | Perplexity | Mistral Le Chat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free tier | Yes | Yes | Yes | Copilot Chat (eligible accounts) | Yes | Yes |
| Individual paid plan | ~ $20 / month | ~ $20 / month | ~ $20 / month | — | ~ $20 / month | ~ $15 / month |
| Team plan | ~ $25–30 / user | ~ $25–30 / user | In many Workspace plans | ~ $30 / user add-on | ~ $40 / user | ~ $25 / user |
| Works inside office apps | Connectors | Integrations | Google Workspace | Microsoft 365 | No | Limited |
| Cited web answers | When searching | When searching | Yes | Yes | Always | When searching |
| Business data used for training by default | No (business) | No (business) | No (Workspace) | No (business) | No (Enterprise) | Check plan terms |
Based on vendor documentation and public plan pages; features change often, so confirm on the plan you intend to buy.
Start with your ecosystem
If your business runs on Google Workspace, check which Gemini features your plan already includes. If it runs on Microsoft 365, start with Copilot Chat and license Microsoft 365 Copilot for heavy Office users. Then decide whether a standalone assistant (ChatGPT or Claude) adds enough for the people who write, analyse or code most.
High-value uses for small businesses
- Drafting and editing emails, proposals and marketing copy
- Summarising long documents, contracts and meeting notes
- Analysing spreadsheets and explaining trends
- Researching competitors, suppliers and markets
- Writing first drafts of policies, job descriptions and FAQs
- Helping non-developers with formulas, scripts and automations
Write a one-page AI policy
Before rolling out, write down which tools are approved, what data may be entered, when output must be reviewed and who manages admin settings. Use business plans for company data — consumer plans have different data terms.
How we chose
- We built a longlist of AI assistant products from vendor documentation, public pricing pages, trust and security pages, and the tools small teams most often ask us about.
- Each product was scored on six weighted criteria — features and fit, ease of use, value, support and reliability, security and privacy, and integrations — using our published methodology. The overall score is calculated, never typed in.
- We priced every product at 5, 10 and 25 seats using its public tiers, and penalised products whose essential features sit behind expensive plans.
- We reviewed each vendor's stated data-use terms for business plans, admin controls and integration with Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace.
- Scores are editorial judgements, not lab benchmarks. Products marked 'Researched' have been assessed from documentation and public information rather than hands-on testing. Prices are indicative and dated on each review.
Read our full scoring methodology →
Avoid paying twice
Many Google Workspace plans include Gemini, and eligible Microsoft 365 accounts include Copilot Chat. Audit what you already own before buying standalone seats, then add paid assistants only where they clearly add value.
License by role
Heavy users — writers, analysts, developers, managers who live in documents — justify paid seats. Light users may manage with included or free options. Review usage after 60 days and reassign seats.
Review data and admin terms
Confirm data retention, training opt-outs, SSO, audit logs and where data is processed for the exact plan you buy. Enterprise plans typically offer stronger controls.
Measure value
Track time saved on specific tasks during a pilot. Our AI ROI calculator converts hours saved into a payback period so you can justify (or cancel) seats.
See every option we rank in AI Assistants.
Buying checklist
Before you commit, confirm each of these on the exact plan you will buy:
- Data is excluded from training on your plan
- Admin console and usage controls
- File and document analysis
- Integration with your office suite
- Predictable per-seat pricing
Avoid these mistakes: Letting staff use personal free accounts with company data. Buying seats for everyone before running a pilot. Treating AI output as fact without review.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best AI assistant for business?
ChatGPT for most businesses; Claude for writing and documents; Gemini for Google Workspace; Microsoft 365 Copilot for Microsoft-centric organisations.
Is ChatGPT or Claude better for business?
ChatGPT is more versatile; Claude is often preferred for long-form writing and document analysis. Test both on your tasks.
Are AI assistants safe for company data?
Business plans from major vendors state that data is not used for training by default and offer admin controls. Use business plans, not consumer accounts, for company data.
How much do AI assistants cost for a team?
Typically about $25–40 per user per month for team plans, though Gemini is included in many Google Workspace plans.
Can AI assistants access my files?
Copilot and Gemini can use files in Microsoft 365 or Google Drive that you have access to; ChatGPT and Claude connect via integrations on business plans.
Which AI assistant is best for research?
Perplexity, because it cites sources for almost every answer.
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