Best ChatGPT alternatives for small business
For most small businesses, Claude is the best ChatGPT alternative: it has a free plan, and Pro is a clear US$20 a month with Microsoft 365 and Outlook tools. Microsoft 365 Copilot is the pick if your team works in Word, Excel, and Outlook, and Google Gemini fits if you live in Gmail and Docs.
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The picks at a glance
| Tool | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Claude | Clear paid plan | Free; Pro US$20/mo |
| Microsoft 365 Copilot | Word, Excel, Outlook | US$23.50/user/mo, yearly |
| Google Gemini | Gmail and Docs | Free; paid price not shown |
Prices are each maker’s regular list price in US dollars, read on the date shown. We never convert currencies. Copilot’s price includes Microsoft 365 Business Standard, paid yearly.
Why people look for ChatGPT alternatives
ChatGPT has a generous free plan, but its paid prices didn’t show on its pricing page when we checked. Some owners also want AI that works inside the office apps they already use, or a team plan with clear privacy terms.
1. Claude: best overall alternative
Why it stands out. Claude’s free plan includes web search, file creation, memory, and connections to your apps. Pro is US$20 a month, or US$17 a month billed yearly (US$200 up front), and adds Claude for Microsoft 365 and Outlook, plus Claude in Chrome. The Team plan is for 2 to 150 people, and Anthropic says Team and Enterprise plans don’t use your data for model training by default.
Watch out. The free plan has usage limits. Claude’s pricing page doesn’t list image creation.
2. Microsoft 365 Copilot: best inside Office apps
Why it stands out. Copilot works in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams. Microsoft says it drafts documents, analyzes data, outlines slides, summarizes long email threads, and recaps meetings, using your work files. Microsoft 365 Business Standard with Copilot is US$23.50 per user a month, paid yearly. Microsoft says your prompts and responses aren’t used to train the underlying models.
Watch out. It’s built for Microsoft 365 users. The Copilot add-on for an existing business plan is US$21 per user a month, paid yearly, and some advanced features are billed by usage.
3. Google Gemini: best for Gmail and Docs
Why it stands out. Gemini’s free plan includes image generation and editing, Deep Research, Gemini Live, and Canvas. Google’s paid AI plans add Gemini directly in Gmail, Docs, and other Google apps, plus more cloud storage. For teams, Google offers Gemini Enterprise, and its Business edition is for teams of up to 300 people with no IT setup.
Watch out. Google’s subscriptions page didn’t show prices for its AI Plus or AI Pro plans when we checked; only the top Ultra plan, at US$99.99 a month, was priced. Check Google’s page before you buy.
How to choose
- Want a clear price and a good free plan? Start with Claude.
- Team lives in Microsoft 365? Copilot works where you already write.
- Team lives in Google Workspace? Gemini works inside Gmail and Docs.
- Try free first. Claude and Gemini both have free plans.
Questions people ask
What is the best alternative to ChatGPT?
For most small businesses, Claude. It has a free plan, and Pro is US$20 a month with Microsoft 365 and Outlook tools (checked October 2026).
Is there a free alternative to ChatGPT?
Yes. Claude and Google Gemini both have free plans. Copilot Chat is included with eligible Microsoft 365 plans.
Which ChatGPT alternative works with Microsoft Office?
Microsoft 365 Copilot works inside Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams. Claude Pro also adds Claude for Microsoft 365 and Outlook.
Do these tools train on my business data?
Anthropic says Claude Team and Enterprise plans don’t use your data for training by default. Microsoft says Copilot prompts aren’t used to train its models. Google says Gemini Enterprise data isn’t used to train its models.
Related pages
- Tool page: ChatGPT
- ChatGPT vs Claude for business
- Copilot vs ChatGPT for business
- Jasper vs ChatGPT vs Copy.ai
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