Don’t Know the Difference Between AI Models? We’ve Got You Covered

October 2, 2024

If you’re feeling a little lost trying to understand the difference between AI models, you’re not alone—and we’ve got you covered. In this guide, we’ll walk you through some of the most prominent Large Language Models (LLMs), how they work, and what sets them apart. While these models may seem wildly different at first glance, when it comes to practical applications like chatbots, they tend to deliver similar results, helping businesses just like yours thrive in the world of conversational AI.

What Are Large Language Models (LLMs)?

Large Language Models are AI systems trained on massive amounts of text data to understand and generate human-like language. These models power everything from virtual assistants to creative writing tools and can handle tasks like answering questions, generating content, translating text, and much more. In short, they allow you to interact with technology in a more human, conversational way.

The Most Common LLMs and How They Work

Let’s dive into some of the top LLMs available today, how they work in personal use cases, and how much they’ll cost you.

1. GPT-4 by OpenAI

GPT-4, one of the most recognized LLMs, powers a wide variety of tools like virtual assistants, customer service bots, and content generation platforms. Its ability to process nuanced language and deliver contextually relevant responses makes it a popular choice for businesses.

Example of Use: You could use GPT-4 to help brainstorm ideas for a blog post, generate code, or assist with personal projects like writing poetry.
Pricing for Personal Use: OpenAI’s GPT-4 is available through the ChatGPT platform, which offers both a free tier (using GPT-3.5) and a ChatGPT Plus plan for US$20/month, which gives you access to GPT-4. This subscription allows you unlimited access to GPT-4 for personal use, whether you’re using it for casual chats or more involved projects.

2. Claude by Anthropic

Claude was created with safety and ethical considerations in mind, ensuring that interactions are free from harmful outputs or inappropriate content. It’s built to prioritize responsible AI usage, which makes it attractive for businesses that value ethical customer interactions.

Example of Use: If you enjoy writing interactive stories or need an AI assistant for personal journaling, Claude could offer thoughtful, measured responses that align with your values.
Pricing for Personal Use: Claude is available through platforms like Poe by Quora, where you can access both free and premium versions. For personal use, Poe’s subscription is about $19.99/month, giving you unlimited access to models like Claude and GPT-4 for non-commercial use.

3. PaLM by Google DeepMind

PaLM (Pathways Language Model) by Google is known for its ability to handle complex queries across multiple languages. It’s built into products like Google Assistant, making it ideal for businesses that want to serve a global audience with multilingual capabilities.

Example of Use: You can use PaLM to help with translations, write long-form content, or even assist with everyday tasks like setting reminders or drafting emails via Google products like Google Assistant.
Pricing for Personal Use: Currently, PaLM is available via Google Cloud services, but for personal use, you’ll often access it indirectly through Google products like Google Assistant, which is free to use for tasks like setting reminders, asking questions, or performing simple translations.

4. LLaMA by Meta

LLaMA (Large Language Model Meta AI) is Meta’s open-source LLM, primarily targeted toward researchers and developers. While it may not be as commercialized as the other models, LLaMA’s flexibility allows for extensive customization, which is great for businesses with specific needs.

Example of Use: You could use LLaMA for personal research projects or to develop custom chatbots tailored to your unique needs, especially if you have some coding experience.
Pricing for Personal Use: LLaMA is free and open-source, making it an excellent option if you’re comfortable setting it up on your own hardware. However, it requires some technical knowledge to deploy and use effectively for personal projects.

What’s the Difference, Really?

Although each of these LLMs has its own focus—whether it’s GPT-4’s versatility, Claude’s safety-first approach, PaLM’s multi-language capability, or LLaMA’s customizability—most of them provide very similar functionality for personal use. Whether you’re writing a story, learning a new language, or developing your own chatbot, the choice of model often comes down to the specific interface you prefer or the subscription price that fits your budget.

Which LLM Should You Choose?

Here are a few tips for choosing the right LLM for your personal projects:

Are you looking for creativity and flexibility? GPT-4 offers great all-around performance, especially for content generation and creative writing.
Do you value ethical considerations? Claude is an excellent choice for personal journaling or interactive projects where you want the AI to reflect responsible behavior.
Need multilingual support? PaLM might be your best bet for translations and complex queries in different languages.
Are you a DIY enthusiast? LLaMA allows you to get hands-on with AI if you’re comfortable with coding and setting up your own solutions.

At bntr, we keep things simple and accessible by integrating ChatGPT, powered by GPT-4, into our AI chat platform. Whether you’re using it for business or personal projects, our solution lets you leverage the best of AI without worrying about the technical details. So, you can focus on what you want to achieve while our AI does the heavy lifting.