BEST Free AI Search Tools of 2025 (ChatGPT Isn’t Enough)

Summary

This video ranks six free AI search tools—Perplexity, Google Gemini, ChatGPT, Google AI Mode, Amazon Rufus, and Consensus—revealing where each one shines and where they fall short. Through real-world tests like shopping, troubleshooting, data cleaning, and recognizing products from photos, the creator shows that no single AI dominates every task. ChatGPT excels at shopping and research balance, Gemini is strong in technical depth and software help, Google AI Mode leads in local and visual lookups, Rufus is great for Amazon-specific shopping, and Consensus is best for evidence-based research. Viewers leave knowing exactly which AI tool to use for each type of search.

Takeaways

• 😀 Perplexity was once highly regarded for combining real-time web sources with LLM power but falls short on accuracy and useful information on the free plan.
• 😀 Google Gemini excels at providing quick, factual answers and image recognition, making it great for basic queries, but struggles with complex tasks like Excel data de-duplication.
• 😀 ChatGPT is a solid choice for personalized shopping recommendations, but it can sometimes hallucinate facts or provide incorrect how-to advice on the free version.
• 😀 Google AI Mode is effective for local searches and verifying sources but falls short on complex troubleshooting and shopping preferences.
• 😀 Amazon Rufus is perfect for shopping-related queries, offering detailed product information and review summaries but lacks versatility for other types of searches.
• 😀 Consensus specializes in research, presenting findings from multiple studies to provide evidence-based answers, but isn't suited for shopping or troubleshooting.
• 😀 ChatGPT is particularly strong in shopping by taking user preferences into account and providing a single, focused recommendation rather than cluttered options.
• 😀 Google Gemini's deep research feature is great for specialized and technical topics but may overwhelm users with excessive detail for everyday questions.
• 😀 Perplexity’s struggles with product recommendations and incorrect streaming service price details make it less reliable for shopping and up-to-date information.
• 😀 ChatGPT's paid version with Thinking mode improves response quality, handling more complex tasks like Excel formulas and reducing hallucinated information.

Q & A

What is the main difference between Perplexity and other AI search tools?

Perplexity was one of the first AI search tools combining real-time web data with an LLM. However, it has significant issues with accuracy, missing key details (like streaming services or prices) and poor shopping recommendations, which makes it less reliable than other tools.

Why does Google Gemini stand out among AI search tools?

Google Gemini excels in basic fact retrieval and image recognition, delivering fast and accurate results. It also performs well with local searches, providing comprehensive details like maps and additional business info.

What are the limitations of Google Gemini in complex tasks?

While Gemini is strong with simple queries, it struggles with more complex tasks, like Excel troubleshooting. It often requires user corrections and can be overly technical with deep research, making it less ideal for everyday users seeking straightforward answers.

What makes ChatGPT a top choice for shopping?

ChatGPT is highly effective in shopping tasks because it listens to user preferences, narrows down the best product options quickly, and provides a solid recommendation. It saves users time by offering one strong suggestion instead of overwhelming them with a long list.

What are some of the accuracy issues ChatGPT faces?

ChatGPT can sometimes hallucinate or provide inaccurate information, especially with technical how-tos. For example, it gave incorrect instructions on how to open links in specific Chrome profiles and incorrectly identified the brand of a fridge.

How does Google AI Mode perform in product searches?

Google AI Mode is fast and typically accurate in product searches, often including a source view for verification. However, it sometimes suggests items that are outside a user's budget or fails to include the most up-to-date details about streaming services.

Why is Amazon Rufus a good choice for shopping?

Amazon Rufus is focused solely on shopping, providing quick, relevant product recommendations based on user preferences. It’s especially useful for product-specific queries, though it can sometimes suggest items that don't fully meet the user's criteria.

What unique feature does Consensus offer compared to other AI search tools?

Consensus specializes in research by showing users the findings from multiple studies on a topic, rather than providing a single answer. It helps users quickly understand scientific consensus, making it ideal for evidence-based research.

Which AI search tool is the best for basic facts and local search?

Google AI Mode is the best choice for basic facts and local search. It provides accurate, fast responses and often includes extra information like maps and hours of operation, making it ideal for these types of queries.

Which AI search tool should you use for deep research?

For deep technical research, Google Gemini is the best, as it provides detailed reports. If you prefer a broader overview, ChatGPT's Deep Research feature is ideal. For quick, evidence-backed research, Consensus offers a fast yet grounded approach.