40 genuinely useful free AI tools
The best AI tools with a free plan or open-source version, across writing, images, video, audio and coding.
You can do a surprising amount with AI without paying anything. Every tool below has a usable free plan or is open source, not just a short trial.
Free plans have limits on usage, quality or features, so we noted what you get in each case on the full review page.
We may earn a commission if you sign up through links in this guide. It never affects which tools we recommend. Learn more.
Quick picks
| # | Tool | Best for | Price | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ChatGPT | Everyone | From $20/mo | 9.5 |
| 2 | Canva | Small businesses | From $15/mo | 9.4 |
| 3 | GitHub Copilot | Professional developers | From $10/mo | 9.3 |
| 4 | Cursor | Professional developers | From $20/mo | 9.4 |
| 5 | Google Gemini | Google Workspace users | From $19.99/mo | 9.3 |
| 6 | Grammarly | Students | From $12/mo | 9.2 |
| 7 | HubSpot Marketing Hub | Marketing teams | From $15/mo | 9.2 |
| 8 | Notion | Startups | From $10/mo | 9.2 |
| 9 | Zapier | Small businesses | From $19.99/mo | 9.1 |
| 10 | CapCut | Social creators | From $9.99/mo | 8.9 |
| 11 | Google Translate | Travellers | Free | 8.8 |
| 12 | Duolingo | Language learners | Free plan | 8.8 |
| 13 | ElevenLabs | Creators | From $5/mo | 9.5 |
| 14 | Figma | Product designers | From $16/mo | 9.4 |
| 15 | Adobe Firefly | Designers | From $9.99/mo | 9.0 |
| 16 | Mailchimp | Small businesses | From $13/mo | 8.4 |
| 17 | Claude | Writers | From $20/mo | 9.5 |
| 18 | Perplexity | Researchers | From $20/mo | 9.2 |
| 19 | Sora | Content creators | From $20/mo | 9.0 |
| 20 | Lovable | Founders | From $25/mo | 9.0 |
| 21 | Microsoft Copilot | Microsoft 365 users | Free plan | 8.7 |
| 22 | Character.AI | Fans | From $9.99/mo | 8.6 |
| 23 | Upwork | Small businesses | Free | 8.6 |
| 24 | TurboTax | US taxpayers | Free plan | 8.4 |
| 25 | Wix | Small businesses | Free plan | 8.2 |
| 26 | Runway | Filmmakers | From $12/mo | 9.2 |
| 27 | Suno | Hobbyists | From $10/mo | 9.2 |
| 28 | Google Gemini API | Developers | Free plan | 9.2 |
| 29 | HeyGen | Marketers | From $29/mo | 9.1 |
| 30 | Hugging Face | ML engineers | From $9/mo | 9.1 |
| 31 | Microsoft Power BI | Enterprises | From $14/user/mo | 8.7 |
| 32 | Leonardo.Ai | Content creators | From $10/mo | 8.8 |
| 33 | Google Veo | Filmmakers | Free plan | 9.2 |
| 34 | Gamma | Founders | From $8/mo | 9.1 |
| 35 | Synthesia | L&D teams | From $29/mo | 9.1 |
| 36 | Klaviyo | E-commerce brands | From $20/mo | 9.0 |
| 37 | Descript | Podcasters | From $16/mo | 9.0 |
| 38 | n8n | Technical teams | Free plan | 8.9 |
| 39 | Make | Agencies | From $9/mo | 8.8 |
| 40 | Otter.ai | Students | From $8.33/mo | 8.7 |
ChatGPT
OpenAI's all-purpose AI assistant for chat, writing and analysis. ChatGPT is OpenAI's flagship conversational assistant, used for writing, brainstorming, coding, data analysis, image generation and web search. It offers a free tier plus paid plans with access to more capable models, deep research and agent features.
Why we like it: Extremely versatile across tasks. Large ecosystem of custom GPTs and integrations.
Watch out for: Best models and limits are behind paid plans.
Canva
Easy online design platform with Magic Studio AI. Canva is a hugely popular online design platform for social graphics, presentations, documents, video and print, with AI features under Magic Studio. It serves everyone from individuals and teachers to enterprise marketing teams.
Why we like it: Extremely easy to use. Vast template and asset library.
Watch out for: Less precise than professional design tools.
GitHub Copilot
AI pair programmer built into GitHub and major editors. GitHub Copilot offers inline code completion, chat and an agent mode across VS Code, JetBrains, Visual Studio and GitHub itself. Its coding agent can be assigned issues and opens pull requests for review. It is the most widely adopted AI coding assistant among professional developers.
Why we like it: Deep GitHub integration. Works in almost every popular IDE.
Watch out for: Premium model requests are metered.
Cursor
AI-first code editor with agentic multi-file editing. Cursor is a fork of VS Code rebuilt around AI, with fast tab completion, codebase-aware chat and an agent that edits many files at once. It supports frontier models from several providers and background agents that work in the cloud.
Why we like it: Excellent autocomplete quality. Familiar VS Code experience and extensions.
Watch out for: Usage-based limits on heavy agent use.
Google Gemini
Google's multimodal AI assistant connected to Search and Workspace. Gemini is Google's AI assistant, with deep integration into Gmail, Docs, Drive and other Google services. It handles text, images, audio and video, and paid Google AI plans add higher limits, Deep Research and more advanced models.
Why we like it: Tight integration with Google apps. Strong multimodal capabilities.
Watch out for: Best features require a Google AI plan.
Grammarly
AI writing assistant for grammar, clarity and tone everywhere. Grammarly checks grammar, spelling, clarity and tone across browsers, desktop apps and mobile keyboards. Its generative AI features help draft, rewrite and personalise text, with plagiarism and AI-detection tools on paid plans.
Why we like it: Works almost everywhere you type. Excellent grammar and clarity suggestions.
Watch out for: Best suggestions require Pro.
HubSpot Marketing Hub
All-in-one marketing platform with Breeze AI agents built in. HubSpot Marketing Hub combines email, landing pages, forms, ads, social and automation on top of HubSpot's CRM. Its Breeze AI layer adds content generation, a content agent and AI-assisted campaign building for small to mid-sized marketing teams.
Why we like it: Free CRM and tools to start. Huge integration marketplace.
Watch out for: Costs rise sharply at Professional tier.
Notion
Connected workspace for docs, wikis and projects with AI. Notion combines docs, wikis, databases and project management in one workspace, with Notion AI for writing, search across connected apps, meeting notes and agents.
Why we like it: Extremely flexible. Huge template ecosystem.
Watch out for: Can get slow in large workspaces.
Zapier
Automate workflows across 8,000+ apps with AI. Zapier connects thousands of apps with no-code automations (Zaps), AI steps, Tables, Interfaces and AI agents. It's the most widely used workflow automation platform for non-developers.
Why we like it: Largest integration library. Very easy for beginners.
Watch out for: Gets expensive at high task volume.
CapCut
Free, AI-packed video editor from ByteDance. CapCut is a widely used video editor from ByteDance with AI features like auto captions, background removal, text-to-speech, effects and templates. It runs on mobile, desktop and web and is a go-to for short-form social video.
Why we like it: Extremely capable free tier. Huge template library.
Watch out for: Key features moved behind Pro.
Google Translate
Free translation for 200+ languages with camera and voice. Google Translate translates text, documents, websites, images and conversations across more than 200 languages. Its mobile app supports camera translation, offline packs and live conversation mode.
Why we like it: Free and supports the most languages. Excellent mobile features.
Watch out for: Less nuanced than DeepL for some language pairs.
Duolingo
Gamified language learning with AI-powered practice. Duolingo is the world's most popular language-learning app, offering gamified lessons in 40+ languages plus maths, music and chess. Its Max tier adds AI features such as Video Call and Explain My Answer.
Why we like it: Fun and habit-forming. Huge language selection.
Watch out for: Limited conversational depth.
ElevenLabs
The leading AI voice platform for speech, cloning and dubbing. ElevenLabs provides highly realistic text-to-speech, voice cloning, dubbing, sound effects, music and conversational voice agents. It serves creators, publishers and developers via its web studio and API.
Why we like it: Best-in-class voice realism. Huge voice library.
Watch out for: Character-based pricing adds up.
Figma
Collaborative interface design with built-in AI. Figma is the leading collaborative design tool for UI/UX, prototyping and design systems, with AI features such as First Draft, Figma Make for prompt-to-app prototypes, and asset search. It is used by product teams of all sizes.
Why we like it: Industry standard for product design. Real-time collaboration.
Watch out for: AI features are credit-limited.
Adobe Firefly
Commercially safe generative AI built into Adobe apps. Adobe Firefly is Adobe's family of generative models for images, vectors, video and audio, trained on licensed content to be commercially safe. It is available as a web app and powers features like Generative Fill inside Photoshop, Illustrator and Express.
Why we like it: Designed for commercial use with IP indemnity on enterprise plans. Deep integration with Creative Cloud.
Watch out for: Generative credits run out quickly.
Mailchimp
Popular email marketing platform with Intuit Assist AI. Mailchimp is one of the best-known email marketing platforms, offering templates, automations, segmentation and landing pages. Intuit Assist adds AI content generation, send-time optimisation and predictive segments.
Why we like it: Easy to start. Lots of integrations.
Watch out for: Gets expensive as lists grow.
Claude
Anthropic's AI assistant known for writing, reasoning and coding. Claude is Anthropic's AI assistant, widely used for long-form writing, document analysis, coding and research. It supports large file uploads, projects, artifacts and integrations with tools like Google Workspace.
Why we like it: Natural, high-quality writing style. Strong at coding and long-document analysis.
Watch out for: Usage limits on busy plans.
Perplexity
AI answer engine with real-time, cited web results. Perplexity is an AI-powered answer engine that searches the web and returns concise answers with citations. Pro adds access to multiple frontier models, Research mode, Labs and file analysis, and it also offers the Comet browser.
Why we like it: Fast, sourced answers. Choice of top models on Pro.
Watch out for: Sources can be low quality at times.
Sora
OpenAI's text-to-video model with synced audio and a social app. Sora is OpenAI's video generation model that creates short, realistic clips with sound from text prompts and images. It is available through ChatGPT plans and the standalone Sora app, which adds remixing and a social feed.
Why we like it: Highly realistic motion and physics. Native audio generation.
Watch out for: Usage limits on lower tiers.
Lovable
Build full-stack web apps by chatting with AI. Lovable turns natural-language prompts into working React web apps with a Supabase backend, authentication and deployment. It's popular with founders and non-developers building MVPs and internal tools.
Why we like it: Very fast from idea to working app. Clean, modern UI output.
Watch out for: Credits run out quickly on complex apps.
Microsoft Copilot
Microsoft's AI companion across Windows, Edge and Microsoft 365. Microsoft Copilot is a free consumer AI assistant for chat, search and image creation, built into Windows, Edge and Bing. Paid Microsoft 365 plans bring Copilot into Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.
Why we like it: Free access to strong models. Built into Windows and Edge.
Watch out for: Several overlapping Copilot products can be confusing.
Character.AI
Chat with millions of user-created AI characters. Character.AI lets users chat with AI characters created by the community, from fictional heroes to study helpers, and create their own. It is one of the most popular consumer AI apps.
Why we like it: Huge character library. Free to use.
Watch out for: Strict content filters frustrate some.
Upwork
Hire AI experts and freelancers, with an AI hiring assistant. Freelance marketplace for hiring independent talent, including AI engineers, automation builders, prompt engineers and content creators. Its AI assistant, Uma, helps write job posts, shortlist candidates and manage contracts.
Why we like it: Huge pool of AI and automation talent. Free to post a job.
Watch out for: Client marketplace fee on payments.
TurboTax
Tax filing with Intuit Assist AI. TurboTax is Intuit's tax preparation software, now with the Intuit Assist AI helper and optional live experts. It guides individuals and self-employed filers through US federal and state returns.
Why we like it: Most popular US tax software. Very guided experience.
Watch out for: Can get expensive with upsells.
Wix
Website builder with an AI site creator. Wix is a leading website builder whose AI site generator creates a full site from a conversation, plus AI tools for text, images and business features like booking and e-commerce.
Why we like it: All-in-one for small businesses. Huge template selection.
Watch out for: Hard to switch templates later.
Runway
Gen-4 video models and creative tools for filmmakers. Runway is a creative AI platform whose Gen-series models generate and transform video from text, images and reference footage. It adds editing tools such as motion brush, camera controls and Act-style performance capture, and is used by filmmakers, studios and agencies.
Why we like it: Among the most polished, film-oriented video models. Rich control tools beyond plain prompting.
Watch out for: Credits run out quickly on longer projects.
Suno
Create full songs with vocals from a text prompt. Suno generates complete songs with vocals, lyrics and instrumentation from text prompts or uploaded audio. Its studio tools let users extend, remix, edit sections and export stems.
Why we like it: Remarkably high-quality songs. Very easy to use.
Watch out for: Commercial rights only on paid plans.
Google Gemini API
Gemini models via Google AI Studio and Vertex AI. The Gemini API offers Google's multimodal Gemini models with very long context, native audio and video understanding and grounding with Google Search. Developers can start free in Google AI Studio and scale on Vertex AI.
Why we like it: Generous free tier. Excellent price-performance.
Watch out for: Two overlapping platforms (AI Studio vs Vertex).
HeyGen
Lifelike AI avatars, digital twins and video translation. HeyGen produces talking-avatar videos from text using stock avatars or your own digital twin, plus video translation with lip sync. It also offers interactive streaming avatars and an API for developers.
Why we like it: Very realistic avatars and lip sync. Excellent video translation.
Watch out for: Credit limits on plans.
Hugging Face
The hub for open-source models, datasets and AI apps. Hugging Face hosts millions of open models and datasets, Spaces for demo apps, and libraries like Transformers. It also offers Inference Providers and endpoints for deployment.
Why we like it: Centre of the open-source AI ecosystem. Free to explore and download.
Watch out for: Overwhelming for beginners.
Microsoft Power BI
Microsoft's BI platform with Copilot. Power BI is Microsoft's business intelligence platform for dashboards and reports, with Copilot to build reports, write DAX and answer questions about data, integrated with Microsoft Fabric.
Why we like it: Affordable for Microsoft shops. Huge community.
Watch out for: Copilot needs Fabric capacity.
Leonardo.Ai
Versatile AI image and video platform for creators. Leonardo.Ai is a generative platform (owned by Canva) offering its own and third-party models for images and video, plus a real-time canvas, upscaler and texture generation. It is popular with game artists, marketers and content creators.
Why we like it: Generous free daily tokens. Wide choice of models and styles.
Watch out for: Token pricing can be confusing.
Google Veo
Google DeepMind's video model with native sound, via Gemini and Flow. Veo is Google DeepMind's family of video generation models that produce high-fidelity clips with native dialogue, sound effects and music. It is available in the Gemini app, the Flow filmmaking tool and the Vertex AI / Gemini API for developers.
Why we like it: Top-tier realism and prompt adherence. Native audio generation.
Watch out for: Best access requires Google AI paid plans.
Gamma
Create beautiful decks, docs and sites from a prompt. Gamma generates polished presentations, documents, social posts and simple websites from a prompt, outline or file, using a flexible card-based format. It is one of the most popular AI presentation tools for businesses and educators.
Why we like it: Fast, attractive results. Flexible web-native format.
Watch out for: Less granular layout control than PowerPoint.
Synthesia
Enterprise AI avatar videos in 140+ languages. Synthesia creates presenter-led videos from text using realistic AI avatars and voices in over 140 languages. It is widely used for training, onboarding and internal communications at large companies.
Why we like it: Market leader in enterprise avatar video. Strong security and compliance.
Watch out for: Custom avatars cost extra.
Klaviyo
E-commerce email and SMS with AI-powered segmentation. Klaviyo is a marketing automation platform for e-commerce, combining email, SMS and push with deep store data. Klaviyo AI builds segments, writes content, predicts customer value and powers automated flows.
Why we like it: Best-in-class e-commerce data. Powerful automations.
Watch out for: Costs rise quickly with contacts.
Descript
Edit video and podcasts by editing the transcript. Descript is an audio and video editor that lets you edit recordings by editing their transcript. It includes screen recording, Studio Sound enhancement, filler-word removal, AI voice cloning and an AI co-editor called Underlord.
Why we like it: Transcript editing is fast and intuitive. All-in-one for video and podcasts.
Watch out for: Can be sluggish on long projects.
n8n
Fair-code workflow automation with native AI agents. n8n is a source-available workflow automation tool that can be self-hosted or used in the cloud, with deep AI agent nodes built on LangChain, code steps and hundreds of integrations.
Why we like it: Self-host for free. Very flexible for technical users.
Watch out for: More technical than Zapier.
Make
Visual automation platform with AI agents. Make (formerly Integromat) is a visual automation platform where you build multi-step scenarios on a canvas with routers, iterators and AI modules, including Make AI Agents.
Why we like it: Powerful logic at lower cost than Zapier. Clear visual debugging.
Watch out for: Steeper learning curve.
Otter.ai
AI meeting notes, transcription and meeting agents. Otter.ai records and transcribes meetings in real time, generating summaries, action items and searchable notes. It joins Zoom, Google Meet and Teams automatically and offers Otter AI Chat across your meetings.
Why we like it: Pioneer with strong accuracy. Generous free tier.
Watch out for: Free plan minute caps.
How we chose
We shortlisted tools by reputation, reader interest and real-world usefulness, then scored each on output quality, ease of use, features and value. Read how we review for details.
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