The Best LLMs to Use in 2025

Almost every month, a new language model drops. OpenAI, Anthropic, Google DeepMind, Mistral, Cohere—the big names are rolling out AI models like fresh loaves from a bakery.

If you’re an AI hobbyist or a developer, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. One moment, you’re testing GPT-4 Turbo. The next, someone’s telling you that Claude, Gemini, or Llama is the better choice. Specs, context windows, fine-tuning options—it’s a lot.

So, let’s cut through the noise. This is not an exhaustive list (because, honestly, new models won’t stop coming), but it is a carefully curated roundup of the best LLMs you can use today—models that are publicly available and worth your time.

And no, we’re not just listing names. We’ve used these models. We’ve tested them. Now, we’re breaking them down so you can figure out which one fits your needs.

Let’s dive in.

1. GPT Models (OpenAI)

You can’t talk about the best LLMs without talking about the GPT series. OpenAI’s Generative Pre-trained Transformer (GPT) models didn’t invent AI, but they absolutely set off the modern AI boom.

GPT isn’t just one model. It’s a whole family, with different versions optimized for different use cases. Some models focus on raw power, others on affordability. Some have massive 128K context windows, while others prioritize speed. If you’ve ever wondered why some responses feel sharper than others, it’s because not all GPT models are created equal.

Nonetheless, OpenAI’s GPT models are undoubtedly one of the best LLMs. Here are some of the best GPT models and their strong points.

• O3 Mini – This model is your go-to AI for anything logical, analytical, and deeply technical. It’s particularly strong in STEM subjects, excelling in solving math problems, breaking down scientific concepts, and assisting with coding. If you need an AI to help debug code, assist in research, or generate structured reports with logical consistency, O3 Mini is the right fit. Some developers use it to power AI tutors or technical support bots.
• GPT-4 – Think of GPT-4 as the all-rounder powerhouse of AI. It’s incredible at reasoning through complex ideas, generating creative content, and even understanding images alongside text. If you’re writing a novel, brainstorming marketing copy, or need an AI to analyze research papers, GPT-4 delivers. Many businesses use it for knowledge-based assistants and creative tools like AI-powered design assistants.
• GPT-4 Turbo – This is GPT-4’s high-speed, cost-efficient cousin, built for situations where you need both performance and affordability. It’s perfect for real-time AI interactions, such as chatbots that handle thousands of users simultaneously. Companies use it for AI-powered customer service, live chat systems, and content generation at scale—think personalized email campaigns or AI-generated blog posts.
• GPT-4.5 – An even sharper version of GPT-4, with improved reasoning and context retention. If you’re looking for an AI that can handle in-depth discussions, generate highly detailed reports, or assist with technical writing, GPT-4.5 is a great option. Many professionals use it for AI-driven data analysis, detailed legal documentation, and AI-powered business insights.
• GPT-4o – This model is built for depth, making it a fantastic choice for long, nuanced conversations where context matters. Whether you need an AI that remembers details across multiple interactions or one that can act as an intelligent research assistant, GPT-4o thrives. It’s ideal for virtual AI tutors, customer support agents with deep contextual memory, and AI-powered therapy or coaching applications.
• GPT-4o Mini – A lighter version of GPT-4o, optimized for speed and efficiency in smaller-scale applications. If you’re running an AI-powered mobile app or a chatbot for a small business, this model gives you quality responses without heavy computational costs. It’s commonly used for mobile AI assistants, fast-response chatbots, and lightweight AI integrations in productivity apps.

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2. Anthropic Models (Claude Series)

Claude models are known for their thoughtful, nuanced responses. They are one of the best LLMs in the market today. While they might not always be the flashiest, they excel at deep reasoning, structured writing, and maintaining long, intelligent conversations. Anthropic has focused on making Claude models reliable and safe, which is why they’re often trusted for serious applications.

Claude isn’t just a single model—there are multiple versions, each fine-tuned for different strengths. Some are built for creativity, while others shine in technical writing and in-depth analysis. Whether you need a model for crafting legal documents or generating poetic verses, there’s a Claude model that fits the job. Here’s a breakdown of the best ones and what they’re great at.

• Claude 3.7 Sonnet – This model is fast, precise, and feels incredibly sharp when breaking down complex topics. It has a strong ability to analyze and generate technical content with clarity, making it a reliable choice for deep-dive research, structured documentation, and even brainstorming high-level ideas. I’ve seen it handle dense legal or financial documents and summarize them effortlessly, making it a great tool for anyone working with long, information-heavy texts.
• Claude 3.5 Sonnet – If there’s one model that truly understands creativity, it’s this one. It doesn’t just generate poetry or stories—it creates something that feels intentional, like it understands rhythm, tone, and nuance. It’s excellent for writing song lyrics, refining scripts, or crafting narratives with emotional weight. I’ve tested it for storytelling, and it does a fantastic job of weaving together plot points in a natural and engaging way.
• Claude 3 Opus – When you need precision, structure, and depth, Opus delivers. This model feels like having a research assistant that understands legal, academic, or business writing at an advanced level. It’s excellent for drafting formal reports, summarizing complex research papers, and even structuring arguments for legal documents. I’ve seen it generate well-reasoned essays that could easily pass for human-written analysis.
• Claude 3 Haiku – If speed and brevity are what you’re looking for, Haiku is surprisingly effective. It cuts straight to the point while maintaining clarity and impact. I’ve used it to generate snappy marketing copy, quick social media captions, and even punchy product descriptions that grab attention. It’s perfect for fast, high-volume content where every word has to count.

Get started → Start building with Claude Models on Chatbase

3. Google DeepMind (Gemini Series)

The Gemini models from Google DeepMind are all about combining speed with intelligence. They handle complex reasoning, technical tasks, and real-time processing better than most, making them a great fit for businesses and developers who need fast and reliable AI.

What makes Gemini stand out is its balance of power and efficiency. Some versions are designed for deep analytical work, like coding and research, while others focus on delivering quick, high-quality responses for dynamic environments. If you’re looking for an AI that can keep up with fast-moving industries, Gemini models are a strong choice. Here’s a breakdown of what each one does best.

• Gemini 2.0 Flash – This model is all about speed without compromising too much on quality. It processes information in real time, making it a solid choice for fast-moving industries where decisions need to be made on the fly. I’ve seen it work well in financial dashboards, AI-powered chat systems, and even live sports analytics, where up-to-the-second insights are crucial. If you need rapid responses that still maintain a good level of accuracy, this is a great pick.
• Gemini 1.5 Pro – This is one of the more well-rounded models, excelling in technical depth and structured reasoning. It handles code generation impressively, making it useful for debugging or even writing entire functions from scratch. Beyond that, it’s great for scientific research, where precise explanations and well-organized content are essential. I’ve used it to break down complex physics problems and generate structured reports with detailed citations.
• Gemini 1.5 Flash – Think of this as the streamlined, speed-focused version of 1.5 Pro. It trades a bit of deep reasoning for quicker response times, making it ideal for applications where real-time feedback is needed—like stock market analysis, customer support, or AI-driven financial modeling. I’ve seen it power data dashboards that update in real time, helping users make fast, informed decisions without waiting on laggy AI responses.

Get started → Start building with Gemini Models on Chatbase

4. DeepSeek Models

DeepSeek models are built for data-heavy tasks. They’re particularly good at analyzing massive amounts of information and finding patterns that might not be obvious at first glance. Whether it’s predicting market trends or improving recommendation systems, DeepSeek models help businesses make smarter decisions based on data.

Speed and scale are the key strengths here. If you need an AI model that can handle complex data without slowing down, DeepSeek is a solid choice. Here’s how each model stacks up.

• DeepSeek-V3 – This model is great for working with big amounts of data. It can help find patterns, spot trends, and even make predictions. Businesses can use it to understand what customers might buy next or to improve medical research by analyzing health data.
• DeepSeek-R1 – If you need fast answers, this model is a good fit. It can track stock market changes in real time, adjust product prices based on demand, or improve recommendations on shopping websites. It’s all about quick decisions and staying ahead.

Get started → Start building with DeepSeek Models on Chatbase.

5. Cohere Models

Cohere’s models focus on speed and efficiency. Unlike some AI models that prioritize long, complex responses, Cohere models are designed to be fast, making them ideal for real-time applications where every second counts.

These models are great for things like live data analysis, instant decision-making, and handling large volumes of user interactions. They might not be the go-to for writing long research papers, but if you need an AI that delivers quick, accurate results, Cohere models are worth considering. Here’s a look at what they can do.

• Command R+ – This model is built for speed and efficiency, making it ideal for situations where real-time decision-making is critical. If you’re working on an AI-powered assistant that needs to process large volumes of data instantly—think automated trading bots, fraud detection, or live customer support—this model is a great fit. It’s designed to handle high-throughput tasks with minimal latency, meaning you get responses almost instantly without sacrificing too much accuracy.
• Command R – A slightly more balanced version of R+, Command R still delivers fast responses but with a focus on accuracy. It’s well-suited for applications where real-time insights matter but don’t require ultra-low latency, like monitoring live social media trends, summarizing breaking news, or analyzing streaming data.

Get started → Start building with Cohere Models on Chatbase

6. Meta AI (Llama Series)

Meta’s Llama (Large Language Model Meta AI) series is all about open-source flexibility. Unlike other major LLMs that are locked behind APIs, Llama models give developers more control, making them a popular choice for businesses that want to fine-tune AI to their needs.

Llama models aren’t just about customization—they’re also efficient. They’re designed to run well on local machines and lower-powered hardware, making them a solid pick for companies that want AI without massive cloud costs. Whether it’s chatbots, research, or AI-powered apps, Llama models give you powerful tools with fewer restrictions. Here’s a look at the key models in the series.

• Llama 3-70B – This is the most powerful model in the Llama lineup, built for deep reasoning, complex problem-solving, and high-level coding. It can handle in-depth research, generate high-quality technical content, and assist in writing sophisticated software. Developers and researchers could use it to build AI-powered applications, generate advanced code, or automate time-consuming data analysis tasks.
• Llama 3-8B – A smaller but efficient model, Llama 3-8B balances intelligence and resource efficiency. It’s great for running AI-powered tools on local machines without needing extensive cloud infrastructure. Businesses could use it for chatbots, internal AI assistants, or customer support automation that feels natural and engaging.
• Llama 2-70B – Though part of the previous generation, this model still delivers strong performance for knowledge-intensive tasks. It’s useful for generating long-form content, tackling detailed problem-solving, and engaging in deep AI conversations. Content creators and educators could use it to generate articles, explain complex topics, or assist in educational AI tutoring.
• Llama 2-13B – This mid-sized model offers a solid balance between power and efficiency. It’s well-suited for business AI applications, document summarization, and intelligent virtual assistants. Companies could integrate it into AI-driven workflows, knowledge management systems, or customer-facing chatbots that need a reliable and informative response system.
• Llama 2-7B – The smallest model in the Llama 2 lineup, optimized for fast, low-resource AI applications. It works well for mobile AI assistants, simple automation tasks, and real-time responses. Startups and small businesses could use it to power lightweight AI tools, automate repetitive processes, or provide quick AI-driven customer interactions.

Finding the Best LLM for Your Needs

There’s no single “best LLM”—it all depends on what you need. OpenAI’s GPT series leads in versatility, making it great for everything from customer support to creative writing. Anthropic’s Claude models stand out in structured, precise, and nuanced content generation. Google DeepMind’s Gemini models are optimized for speed and real-time data processing. Meta’s Llama series is a strong choice for those looking for open-source AI that balances power and efficiency. Cohere’s Command models specialize in fast, high-efficiency AI, while DeepSeek is built for deep data analysis.

Each model has its strengths and trade-offs—some are faster, others more creative, and some excel in specialized fields like research or coding. The key is choosing the right one for your use case.

If you’re ready to build AI-powered applications, Chatbase makes it easy to experiment with these top LLMs. Whether you're developing a chatbot, an automation tool, or an ai agent, you can test and integrate these models with ease.

Get started → Start building with 17 of the best AI Models on Chatbase.