Alice and GigaChat: the Russian AI assistants explained
Alice
Alice is Yandex's assistant. It runs on the company's smart speakers, in its iOS and Android apps, in AppGallery and on the web, and voice is its primary interface. Besides conversation it generates text and images, works with files and answers questions about photographs.
The Yandex Plus subscription costs 449 roubles a month or 4,490 roubles a year, and a wider bundle is 990 roubles a month. A separate «Alice Plus» option costs 199 roubles a month and adds work on smart devices, on the website and in the app, a research tool, personalised conversation on the speakers, unlimited chat history storage, English practice and priority when the system is busy.
GigaChat
GigaChat is Sber's service. Its official documentation describes it as an interface for embedding the company's neural network into products and services, while end users can reach it through a web version, a Telegram bot, a VK bot and an API.
Both free and paid tiers are offered to individuals. No voice mode is described in the official documentation, so a conversation with GigaChat is a written one.
Side by side
Prices and terms are taken from the official pages as of 20 September 2026.
| What we compare | Alice | GigaChat | Companion AI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built for | A voice assistant for tasks and devices | An assistant and a developer platform | Conversation with a character |
| Voice | Voice is the primary interface | Not described in the documentation | Voice replies, and it understands your voice messages |
| Where it runs | Speakers, apps, the web | Web, bots, API | Inside Telegram |
| Payment | Free, with an option from 199 roubles a month | Free and paid tiers | One-off message packs |
| Personality | An assistant with a recognisable style | A neutral helper | A character with their own manner and voice |
What the difference feels like
An assistant answers the question and waits for the next one. A companion carries the conversation: it remembers what you said yesterday, asks how it went, and reacts to your mood. The difference shows up within a few messages.
Voice is the other divide. Alice's voice is familiar and good, but it is the voice of an assistant. A companion's voice belongs to a character, with its own intonation and pauses.
Which to choose
- Weather, timers, music, smart home: an assistant.
- A work task: an assistant or a specialised tool.
- Someone to talk to in the evening: a companion.
- Voice messages in a messenger you already use: a companion inside Telegram.
How Companion AI works
@CompanionVoiceBot runs in Telegram, with no install and no separate registration. Write or send a voice note, and the reply comes as text or as a real-sounding voice message. The character answers in the language you use and says honestly that it is an AI if you ask seriously.
Payment is one-off packs of messages with no subscription; Telegram Stars work anywhere. The first messages are free, the history is stored encrypted and you can erase it whenever you like.
FAQ
Can you just chat with Alice?
Yes, though Alice is designed as an assistant for tasks and devices.
What does the Alice Plus option cost?
199 roubles a month, according to Yandex's official page.
What does Yandex Plus cost?
449 roubles a month or 4,490 roubles a year; the wider bundle is 990 roubles a month.
Does GigaChat have a voice mode?
It is not described in the official documentation.
Where can I use GigaChat?
In its web version, a Telegram bot, a VK bot, and through its API.
Is GigaChat free?
Both free and paid tiers are offered to individuals.
How is a companion different from an assistant?
A companion holds a conversation and remembers you; an assistant performs tasks.
Can I use both?
Yes. They are different tools for different needs.
Sources
- Yandex: Plus plans and the Alice Plus option (accessed 20 September 2026)
- Yandex: the Alice page (accessed 20 September 2026)
- Sber: GigaChat overview (accessed 20 September 2026)
- Sber: GigaChat API plans (accessed 20 September 2026)