The Best Virtual Assistant in 2026
ChatGPT is the top-ranked virtual assistant of the 19 we ranked (9.3/10, free plan), best for everyday work and life across devices. Gemini is the runner-up (9.2/10), and Microsoft Copilot is the next highest-ranked option with a free plan (9.0/10). We researched virtual assistant products through official websites, including pricing pages, plan tables and product documentation. Rankings weigh the category’s core job, value for money and verified features, so buyers can compare capabilities and choose the right virtual assistant.
Our top picks
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Top ranked
ChatGPT#1 of 199.3/10A broad assistant combining chat, cited search, creation, analysis, voice, and connected apps.
Free plan
-
Runner-up
Gemini#2 of 199.2/10A broad AI assistant for people who want research and creative tools alongside Google services.
Free plan
-
Top-ranked free plan
Microsoft Copilot#3 of 199.0/10Broad assistant coverage with web answers, files, voice, and Microsoft 365 connections.
Free plan
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
The full ranking 19 tools, best first
-
Best forEveryday work and life across devices
A broad assistant combining chat, cited search, creation, analysis, voice, and connected apps.
- Web search
- Mobile apps
9.3/10★★★★★Visit ChatGPT -
Best forPeople who want an assistant tied to Google services
A broad AI assistant for people who want research and creative tools alongside Google services.
- Web search
- Mobile apps
9.2/10★★★★★Visit Gemini -
Best forMicrosoft 365 users seeking help across devices
Broad assistant coverage with web answers, files, voice, and Microsoft 365 connections.
- Web search
- Mobile apps
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit Copilot -
Best forResearch-focused users who want sourced answers
A research-focused assistant for cited web answers, follow-ups, and deeper reports.
- Web search
- Mobile apps
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit Perplexity -
Best forUsers who prioritize writing, analysis, and projects
A flexible assistant for writing, research, and projects, with team controls on business plans.
- Web search
- Mobile apps
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit Claude -
Best forPeople who want to compare many AI bots
A flexible AI bot hub for comparing models, with less focus on integrated daily assistance.
- Web search
- Mobile apps
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit Poe -
Best forPeople seeking a free assistant with open models
A free assistant with web search and open model materials, but a focused integration set.
- Web search
- Mobile apps
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit DeepSeek -
Best forUsers seeking free multimodal conversations
A free AI assistant for cited web search, document analysis, voice, and multimodal input.
- Web search
- Mobile apps
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit Qwen Chat -
Best forSamsung Galaxy owners automating device tasks
A free Android assistant with deep Galaxy controls, automation and SmartThings support.
- Mobile apps
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit Samsung -
Best forSelf-hosters who want a configurable AI assistant
A configurable AI workspace with broad model support, for teams prepared to self-host.
- Web search
- Mobile apps
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit Open WebUI -
Best forTeams needing an assistant over enterprise data
Permission-aware answers and developer help, with business plans from $3 per user monthly.
- Mobile apps
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Amazon Q -
Best forTeams wanting flexible, self-hosted AI assistance
A flexible AI workspace spanning document chat, agents, models, and deployment options.
- Web search
- Mobile apps
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit AnythingLLM -
Best forOrganizations automating internal support and knowledge
Cited answers and workflow automation connect employees to organizational knowledge.
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit Moveworks -
Best forTeams building connected custom AI agents
Build custom agents that connect company knowledge, tools, and shared workflows.
7.5/10★★★★☆Visit Dust -
Best forUsers wanting web research and custom AI agents
A web-search-first AI assistant with custom agents, multimodel access, and developer APIs.
- Web search
- Mobile apps
7.4/10★★★★☆Visit You.com -
Best forPeople seeking a free browser with built-in AI features
A free browser with AI features, though its core focus is browsing rather than assistance.
7.3/10★★★★☆Visit Opera -
Best forPeople seeking smart-home and routine control
A flexible assistant for routines, compatible smart-home devices and everyday tasks.
- Web search
- Mobile apps
7.3/10★★★★☆Visit Amazon Alexa -
Best forPrivacy-minded desktop users running local models
A free, open-source desktop assistant for local models, cloud APIs, files, and tools.
- Web search
6.8/10★★★☆☆Visit Jan -
Best forIndividuals wanting free conversational support
Free conversational support with voice, reminders, and decision-planning tools.
- Web search
- Mobile apps
6.6/10★★★☆☆Visit Pi
No tools match those filters.
Compare at a glance
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Web search | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ChatGPT | Yes | Yes | 9.3 | |
| 2 | Gemini | Yes | Yes | 9.2 | |
| 3 | Microsoft Copilot | Yes | $99.99/yr | Yes | 9.0 |
| 4 | Perplexity | Yes | Yes | 8.8 | |
| 5 | Claude | Yes | Yes | 8.7 | |
| 6 | Poe | Yes | Yes | 8.5 | |
| 7 | DeepSeek | Yes | Free | Yes | 8.3 |
| 8 | Qwen Chat | Yes | Free | Yes | 8.2 |
| 9 | Bixby | Yes | Free | 8.1 | |
| 10 | Open WebUI | Yes | Free | Yes | 8.0 |
| 11 | Amazon Q | Yes | $3/user/mo | No | 7.9 |
| 12 | AnythingLLM | Yes | $50/mo | Yes | 7.8 |
| 13 | Moveworks | 7.6 | |||
| 14 | Dust | Yes | €24/seat/mo | 7.5 | |
| 15 | You.com | Yes | $15/user/mo | Yes | 7.4 |
| 16 | Opera | Yes | Free | 7.3 | |
| 17 | Amazon Alexa | Yes | Yes | 7.3 | |
| 18 | Jan | Yes | Free | Yes | 6.8 |
| 19 | Pi | Yes | Free | Yes | 6.6 |
Buyer's guide
How much do virtual assistants cost? Of the 19 we ranked, 18 have a free plan and 3 publish a paid starting price. Among the 2 priced per user per month, the lowest is $3/user/mo (Amazon Q). Prices checked September 2026.
Which features set virtual assistants apart? Web search: 14 of 19, including ChatGPT (9.3/10), Gemini (9.2/10) and Microsoft Copilot (9.0/10).
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How we rank virtual assistant
Every tool on this page was researched by iTechGuides Editors from its official website — pricing pages, plan tables and product documentation. We rank on how well each one does this category's core job, what the free or entry plan includes, and where it falls short. Where we have enough verified facts, the score out of 10 is a rubric — job fit, value and how much we could verify — shown with its breakdown on every tool's page; a tool we have not verified enough to score yet shows its rank without a number. Scores are re-checked when a product changes its plans. Read the full editorial policy, or submit a tool we missed.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update