The AI Shopping Mall

Choosing a chatbot is like choosing a store. Same mall. Very different vibes.

▼ FLOOR 1: CHATBOTS ▼
A guide by Deb Haas · Mostly Human

There are hundreds of AI tools out there. But most people only need to understand a handful to get started — and the best way to understand them is to think of something you already know.

This is a map of the chatbots that matter most right now, as of March 2026. Each one is a store. The store tells you the vibe. Click any store to learn more.

🎨 Color = parent company 📍 Location = who they're closest to 👆 Click any store for details
📍 YOU ARE HERE — FLOOR 1: CHATBOTS
— GOOGLE WING —
🪑
Gemini
is the
IKEA
(Google)
— INDEPENDENT WING —
🌺
Claude
is the
Trader Joe's
(Anthropic)
📦
DeepSeek
is the
ALDI
(DeepSeek)
— SPECIALTY WING —
🔍
Perplexity
is the
Apple Genius Bar
(Perplexity AI)
💀
Grok
is the
Spencer's Gifts
(xAI)
— OPENAI WING —
🎯
ChatGPT
is the
TARGET
(OpenAI)
← GOOGLE WING
💨
Meta AI
Spray Perfume Kiosk
(Meta)
OPENAI WING →
🗂️
NotebookLM
is the
Container Store
(Google)
⛺
Mistral
is the
REI
(Mistral AI)
📎
Copilot
is the
Office Depot
(Microsoft, powered by OpenAI)
🚧 Floor 2
Agents & Tools
Coming Soon
Google
OpenAI
Microsoft
Anthropic
Perplexity AI
xAI
Meta
DeepSeek
Mistral AI
📍 You Are Here

The AI Shopping Mall

FLOOR 1: CHATBOTS
Google Wing
▼ 🪑
Gemini is the IKEA
(Google)
Packed with potential and deeply woven into your Google life — but some assembly required. Bring patience and an Allen wrench.
▼ 🗂️
NotebookLM is the Container Store
(Google)
Doesn't create anything new — it organizes what you already have. Bring your own material and watch it turn into something actually useful.
OpenAI / Microsoft Wing
▼ 🎯
ChatGPT is the Target
(OpenAI)
The reliable all-rounder that started the whole shopping trip. Familiar, handles almost everything — but you've been here so many times it's lost a little of its magic.
▼ 📎
Copilot is the Office Depot
(Microsoft, powered by OpenAI)
ChatGPT in a business casual outfit. If you live in Microsoft 365, it's already at your desk waiting. Same engine, different showroom.
Independent Wing
▼ 🌺
Claude is the Trader Joe's
(Anthropic)
Thoughtful, a little different, surprisingly good at nuance. The one you go to when you want something that actually sounds like a human wrote it.
▼ 🔍
Perplexity is the Apple Genius Bar
(Perplexity AI)
Sleek, fast, and shows its work. When you need answers with receipts, this is your stop.
▼ 📦
DeepSeek is the ALDI
(DeepSeek)
Appeared from nowhere, shockingly capable for free, and rattled every other store in the mall. You do quietly wonder what you agreed to when you signed up.
Specialty Wing
▼ 💀
Grok is the Spencer's Gifts
(xAI)
Edgy, irreverent, and not for everyone. You'll either love it immediately or walk straight out. Can't say it's boring.
▼ ⛺
Mistral is the REI
(Mistral AI)
European, principled, built for people who care what's in the product. Stripped down, sturdy, and proud of it.
Center Court
▼ 💨
Meta AI is The Spray Perfume Kiosk
(Meta)
It's everywhere you walk. You didn't ask for it, it found you. Does a limited thing, and somehow you're already using it inside Instagram and WhatsApp.
Under Construction
🚧 Floor 2
Agents & Tools — Coming Soon

Floor 2 is under construction.

Agents, tools, creative AI, and more — drop your email and we'll tell you when the next wing opens.

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