What is the best AI assistant for Windows?
Short answer
It depends on how you want to use it. If you want an assistant you call by voice from any app that can see your screen, do tasks with your OK, and keep its memory on your PC, AYO is built for that. If you live in Word, Excel, and Outlook, Microsoft Copilot is built into Microsoft 365. If you mostly want a chat window, ChatGPT Desktop and Claude Desktop are strong picks.
Four questions to decide
How do you want to call it: a chat window you open, or a word you say from any app? Should it see what is on your screen? Should it do things on your PC, and ask first before anything risky? Where should its memory live: in a cloud account, or in files on your PC?
Pick AYO if
You want to say "AYO" from any app and hear an answer out loud; ask about your screen without copy-pasting; have an agent do jobs on your PC that stops before sending, paying, or deleting; and keep memories in files on your PC that you can see as a 3D map. There is a Free plan.
Pick something else if
You use a Mac, Linux, or only a phone; you need an assistant inside Office documents (Copilot); you want a chat window with long conversations and file uploads (ChatGPT Desktop or Claude Desktop); or you need a language other than English.
Try saying
“AYO, what is this?”
Answers about whatever app is open, without opening a window.
AYO next to other AI assistants
| Question | AYO | Microsoft Copilot | ChatGPT Desktop | Claude Desktop | Gemini Live |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ambient or modal? | Ambient — say "AYO" from any app, or press Alt+Shift+S to type | Modal — sidebar / chat panel | Modal — chat window | Modal — chat window | Ambient (mobile-first) |
| What stays on your device? | Wake-word detection, saved memories, tasks, and reminders; the voice clip and any screen picture go to cloud models only for that request | Varies | Varies | Varies | Varies |
| Sees your screen? | Yes — when you ask, when you hover, or on a timer you turn on | Yes | Yes | Yes | Mobile camera and screen sharing |
| Speaks first? | Yes — proactive mode is off until you turn it on (Plus and Pro) | No | No | No | No |
| Does tasks on your PC? | Yes — the agent asks before it sends, pays, or deletes (Plus and Pro) | Varies | Varies | Varies | n/a |
| Picks a personality? | Three personas: Chill Smart, Excited Inventor, Lazy Sleepy | No | Custom GPTs only | System prompt only | No |
| Operating systems | Windows 10 / 11 (64-bit) | Windows, web | macOS, Windows | macOS, Windows | Android, iOS |
| Pricing today | Free plan; Explorer $5 once; Plus $14.99/mo; Pro $29.99/mo | Free + paid plans | Free + Plus subscription | Free + Pro subscription | Free with Google account |
Cells reflect publicly documented behavior of each product as of September 2026 and the AYO public beta. Other vendors are trademarks of their respective owners; nothing here implies affiliation.
What to know first
- Windows 10 and 11 (64-bit) only. There is no Mac, Linux, or phone version yet.
- Speech is English only for now.
- AYO needs an internet connection to answer. Only the wake word is detected offline, on your PC.
More questions
- Can I use AYO together with ChatGPT or Copilot?
- Yes. AYO is a separate app with its own wake word and shortcuts, so it runs next to anything else you use.
- Which one is free?
- All four have free options. AYO’s Free plan gives 50 credits on the first day, then 20 a day.
Ask your AI about this
Get a second opinion. Each button opens a new tab with this question ready: What is the best AI assistant for Windows? Read https://heyayo.com/answers/best-ai-assistant-for-windows about AYO and tell me whether it fits what I need on my PC.
People also ask
AYO is made by AYO Systems Technology LLC. Last updated 2026-09-29. Questions: [email protected].