Bard alternatives in 2026: Bard is now Gemini, so here's what else to use
Short answer: Bard hasn't existed under that name since 8 February 2024, when Google renamed it Gemini. If you liked Bard, Gemini is the same service. Outside Google, the main alternatives are ChatGPT, Claude, Microsoft Copilot and Perplexity. If you'd rather your chats never leave your computer, apps like LM Studio, Jan, Ollama or GreenCube run the AI offline on your own PC.
What happened to Bard
Google launched Bard in 2023 as its answer to ChatGPT. On 8 February 2024 it renamed Bard to Gemini, after its family of AI models, and added mobile apps and a paid tier at the same time (Axios). So searching for "Bard" today really means Gemini. Google has also had a Gemini app for Windows since 10 September 2026 (our desktop apps check).
The alternatives, compared on what we could check
Rules for a free personal account, from each company's own help and privacy pages, checked in October 2026. We don't rank them on "smartness": that changes with every model update and depends on what you ask.
| Assistant | Made by | Trains on your chats? | Works offline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gemini (formerly Bard) | Yes, while Keep Activity is on; chats read by human reviewers are kept up to 3 years | No | |
| ChatGPT | OpenAI | Yes, by default; switch off "Improve the model for everyone" | No |
| Claude | Anthropic | Only if you allow it | No |
| Microsoft Copilot | Microsoft | Not stated for the new app | No |
| Perplexity | Perplexity | Yes, by default | No |
| Mistral Le Chat | Mistral (France) | Yes, by default; feedback is used whatever you choose | No |
| DeepSeek | DeepSeek (China) | Yes, by default (de-identified) | No |
| Meta AI | Meta | Yes; in the EU you can object with Meta's form | No |
| AI on your own PC (LM Studio, Jan, Ollama, GreenCube) | — | No: your chats stay on your computer | Yes, after one download |
Each row with its source link and how to switch training off: the most private AI assistant, 10 checked.
Free limits, if that's why you're switching
- ChatGPT Free: unlimited text chats since August 2026, but file uploads and pictures are capped (details).
- Gemini (free): limits refresh every 5 hours up to a weekly cap; up to 10 files per message, 100 MB each.
- AI on your own PC: no message, file or picture limits, because no server counts them (which AI is really unlimited).
The offline option: AI that runs on your own computer
Every cloud assistant above, Gemini included, needs internet and sends your chats to the company. A local app downloads an AI model once and runs it on your own graphics card or processor. The price is speed, which depends on your PC. We measured GreenCube on 10 real PCs:
| Your PC | Writes |
|---|---|
| 8 GB laptop, no graphics card | 5–7 tokens/s, about reading speed |
| 16 GB laptop, no graphics card | 14–18 tokens/s |
| Gaming PC with a 6 GB+ card | 37–76 tokens/s on most cards |
LM Studio, Jan and Ollama are free and you pick the model; GreenCube (Windows, €9.99 once) picks the model for your PC and also reads PDFs and photos and makes pictures. The trade: models small enough for a PC are good for studying, writing and everyday questions, but the biggest cloud models are still stronger on the hardest problems, and an offline AI doesn't know today's news. Compare them all: 12 offline AI chatbots, checked. Your card: can my PC run AI?
When Gemini is still the right pick
If you live in Gmail, Docs and Drive, Gemini can work with them directly, and it's the same assistant you used as Bard. Just check Keep Activity in your settings if you'd rather your chats not be used for training.
How we checked
The rename is from Google's February 2024 announcement as reported by Axios. Training and limit rules come from each company's help and privacy pages for a free personal adult account, read in October 2026 and linked on the pages above. Speeds are our own tests. We make GreenCube, so we stick to facts anyone can check, and we recheck every month.
Questions
Does Google Bard still exist?
Not under that name. Google renamed Bard to Gemini on 8 February 2024. It's the same Google chat assistant, now at gemini.google.com and in the Gemini apps.
What is the best alternative to Bard?
If you liked Bard, Gemini is the same service under its new name. Outside Google, the main chat assistants are ChatGPT, Claude, Microsoft Copilot and Perplexity. If you want an assistant that works offline and keeps your chats on your own computer, use an app that runs the AI locally, like LM Studio, Jan, Ollama or GreenCube.
Which Bard alternative doesn't train on my chats?
With a free personal account, Claude trains only if you allow it, and Gemini only while Keep Activity is on. ChatGPT, Perplexity, Mistral Le Chat, DeepSeek and Meta AI train on what you type by default (checked October 2026). An AI that runs on your own PC sends nothing anywhere.
Is there a free Bard alternative with no limits?
ChatGPT Free has had unlimited text chats since August 2026, but limits files and pictures. Apps that run AI on your own PC, such as LM Studio, Jan and Ollama (free) or GreenCube (€9.99 once), have no usage limits, because no server counts your messages.
Your own AI, on your own PC
GreenCube runs on your computer: no usage limits, no subscription, works without internet. €9.99 (US$9.99), paid once.
Get GreenCube