Artificial intelligence is no longer science fiction. It is shaping how we live, work, and think right now. From classrooms to boardrooms, kitchens to creative studios, AI tools are quietly rewriting the rules of productivity and possibility. They are not just clever gadgets; they are companions that help us think faster, work smarter, and dream bigger.
The truth is, the world is moving at lightning speed, and those who learn to harness the best AI tools gain a real advantage. Whether it is automating repetitive tasks, generating new ideas in seconds, or providing insights that used to take days, AI is transforming industries and everyday life in ways we once thought impossible.
What makes this exciting is how relatable it has become. We use AI to filter emails, get shopping recommendations, chat with assistants, or even craft music and art. These tools are no longer reserved for tech experts. They are in our hands, reshaping our routines and giving us more time to focus on what matters.
It is time to learn the best AI tools available today and unearth how they are helping us unlock creativity, efficiency, and innovation across every corner of life. If you have ever wondered how AI could make your day easier or your work sharper, you are about to find out.
What are AI Tools?
AI tools are software applications or platforms powered by artificial intelligence that help people perform tasks faster, smarter, and often more creatively than before. They use technologies like machine learning, natural language processing, and computer vision to understand information, make decisions, and even generate content.
Think of AI tools as digital assistants that go beyond the ordinary. Unlike traditional tools that only do what you tell them, AI tools can learn from data, adapt to your needs, and sometimes even predict what you want next. This makes them powerful in everyday life as well as in specialised industries.
For example, some of the best AI tools can write articles, design graphics, analyse complex data, or even automate customer support. Others help with personal tasks, such as managing your schedule, recommending movies, or guiding you through fitness routines. In business, AI tools are streamlining operations, improving decision-making, and unlocking new levels of efficiency.
In short, AI tools are not just about technology. They are about empowerment. They make life easier, help us work smarter, and open up opportunities that were once out of reach. Whether you are a student, a professional, or just curious, learning how to use AI tools can give you a real edge today.
The 15 Best AI Tools Today
Here’s a selection of 15 of the Best AI Tools Today, each presented simply yet with practical depth. Organised by field, each tool includes what it does, when it was founded (if available), the advantage it offers, and how to access it or its cost:
1. Perplexity
Perplexity is like a search engine built for the AI era. It not only gives you direct answers to your questions but also cites the sources it used, making it reliable for students, researchers and professionals. If you need quick facts, study help or trustworthy insights, Perplexity is a powerful companion.
Use: An AI-powered search engine that delivers real-time answers, complete with citations. Great for research, summarisation, and fact-checking.
Founded: 2022 by Perplexity AI in San Francisco
Advantage: Combines conversational AI with live web search to provide up-to-date, cited responses, especially useful in academic or investigative contexts.
Cost: Free tier offers basic usage; Pro version includes advanced features like “Perplexity Research” for deeper analysis.
Best For: Researchers, journalists, students, professionals needing quick, reliable answers.
Pro Tip: Use the Pro version to upload your own PDFs and have the AI analyse them for you.
2. Google Gemini
Gemini AI Mode integrates with Google’s search and productivity tools, making it easy to fact-check, summarise or create content directly within your workflow. It is especially useful if you already use Gmail, Docs or Sheets. With a free tier and an affordable pro option, it is accessible to both casual users and businesses.
Use: Google’s generative AI assistant embedded across Android, Chrome, Photos, Workspace, and more, supporting chat, image generation, search, and summarisation.
Founded: Launched February 2024 (Gemini model December 2023).
Advantage: Strong multimodal capabilities and deep integration with Google’s ecosystem; can replace Google Assistant and access real-time web information.
Cost: Free standard access; AI Pro at £18.99/month; AI Ultra at £119.99/month.
Best For: Everyday users who already rely on Google services.
Pro Tip: Try Gemini Ultra for multimodal tasks, upload a photo, ask a question, and get instant insights.
3. ChatGPT (Plus / Pro)
ChatGPT is one of the most versatile AI tools available today. It can write essays, create marketing copy, generate code, brainstorm ideas or even tutor you in complex topics. Whether you are a student, professional or entrepreneur, ChatGPT saves time and boosts creativity. This is one of the first AI tools that popped out.
Use: Conversational AI for writing, brainstorming, coding, editing, summarising, and more. Broadly useful across work, study, and creativity.
Founded: OpenAI launched ChatGPT in late 2022; Plus and Pro subscription tiers followed.
Advantage: Versatile and powerful, with strong reasoning and bias sensitivity. It performs well in gathering and refining information.
Cost: Free tier available; Plus ($20/month) offers extended limits; Pro ($200/month) unlocks full features like o1 models and advanced voice support.
Best For: Writers, coders, entrepreneurs, and anyone juggling multiple tasks.
Pro Tip: The Pro plan unlocks advanced models with better reasoning, making it ideal for strategy or high-stakes writing.
4. Recraft
Recraft is designed for creating polished graphics in seconds. With just a prompt, it generates illustrations, logos and designs that are ready for marketing or personal use. It is a great choice for startups and individuals who need professional visuals without hiring a designer.
Use: AI image generator aimed at designers and hobbyists for creating visuals, from mockups to various art styles.
Founded: 2022.
Advantage: User-friendly with daily free credits and multiple visual styles; good starting point for creators without design experience.
Cost: 50 free credits per day; access to advanced models (like GPT-4o, Imagen 4) requires a paid subscription.
Best For: Startups, marketers, small businesses, hobbyists.
Pro Tip: Use free daily credits for testing, then subscribe if you’re producing content at scale.
5. ClickUp Brain
An AI inside ClickUp that automates tasks and summaries. It keeps projects on track with less effort.
Use: Project management AI automation that streamlines tasks and workflows.
Founded: Included in ClickUp’s AI features.
Advantage: Increases productivity by about 23% through automating repetitive tasks within projects.
Cost: Around $7/user/month plus $7 for AI add-on.
Best For: Teams managing multiple projects.
Pro Tip: Pair it with Slack or Teams for seamless updates without switching apps.
6. Pipedrive AI Sales Assistant
Sales-focused AI that manages pipelines and follow-ups. AI tools like Pipedrive AI Sales Assistant help sales teams close deals faster.
Use: AI for sales teams. It automates follow-ups, suggests actions, and helps close deals.
Founded: Part of Pipedrive’s AI options.
Advantage: Boosts deal closures by 12–18%, helping sales reps work smarter, not harder.
Cost: $12–$37/user/month (no hidden fees).
Best For: Sales teams in SMEs.
Pro Tip: Use analytics to identify which leads are most likely to close.
7. Notion AI
Turns notes into clean documents, summaries and action items. It is useful for personal productivity and team collaboration.
Use: Built into Notion for writing help, summaries, translations, and brainstorming directly in your workspace.
Founded: Notion AI was added to Notion, a growing platform.
Advantage: Seamlessly fits into existing productivity workflow. It streamlines thought and writing inside Notion.
Cost: Add-on at around $10/user/month.
Best For: Knowledge workers, students, and content creators.
Pro Tip: Combine it with Notion databases to turn rough notes into polished documents.
8. Canva Magic Design
This is one of Canva’s latest AI tools that takes the stress out of creating presentations, posters and social media graphics. It offers ready-made templates enhanced with AI, so anyone can produce high-quality designs quickly. This makes it especially helpful for small businesses and content creators.
Use: Automates visual content creation, presentations, social graphics, etc., using AI design suggestions.
Founded: Canva launched AI-powered tools within its platform.
Advantage: Quickly produces polished visuals; ideal for busy marketers and creators.
Cost: Approx. $15/month; watch for export limits.
Best For: Content creators, teachers, freelancers.
Pro Tip: Start with a template, then let Magic Design suggest creative variations.
9. Synthesia
Synthesia is a leader in AI video creation, offering realistic avatars that can speak in multiple languages. Companies use it for employee training, marketing videos and online education, reducing the need for traditional filming. It is one of the AI tools that is scalable and saves both time and production costs.
Use: AI video production that creates talking head videos from text, ideal for training, marketing, and presentations.
Founded: Synthesia was established in the AI video space.
Advantage: Scales video creation cost-effectively, removing the need for actors or cameras.
Cost: $29–$89/month, depending on rendering credits.
Best For: Corporations, educators, and marketing teams.
Pro Tip: Custom avatars let you maintain a consistent brand presence.
10. Murf AI
Murf AI creates humanlike voice-overs that can match different tones, accents and styles. It is ideal for podcasters, video creators and marketers who need professional audio without expensive recording equipment. The result is natural-sounding narration that can bring content to life.
Use: Automates voice-over generation using AI voices for presentations, videos, and e-learning.
Founded: Murf is a known AI voice platform.
Advantage: Allows high-quality voice-overs without recording; saves time and resources.
Cost: $29–$199/month, depending on storage needs.
Best For: Content creators, trainers, podcasters.
Pro Tip: Experiment with tone and style options to match your brand voice.
11. Perplexity Pro
A research tool that answers questions with sources you can trust. It makes studying and fact-checking faster and easier.
Use: Enhanced AI search and research for private files and knowledge hubs.
Founded: Upgraded version of Perplexity.
Advantage: More powerful searches (300+ pro searches/day), upload capability, and collaboration features.
Cost: $20/month.
Best For: Professionals working with heavy documentation.
Pro Tip: Use the “Pro Search” feature for in-depth, multi-step queries.
12. DeepSeek (R1)
An open source AI that is affordable and flexible. Developers use it to build custom AI solutions.
Use: Open-source Chinese AI model offering chatbot functionality and AI reasoning.
Founded: Developed by DeepSeek (Chinese firm); gained attention in 2025.
Advantage: Offers powerful AI at much lower cost than Western alternatives; open-source flexibility.
Cost: Free/open-source, though requires technical setup; cost-effective for skilled users.
Best For: Developers, researchers, and companies in emerging markets.
Pro Tip: Pair with local datasets to customise results for niche industries.
13. Gemini (via AI Mode in Google)
The most advanced version of Gemini that handles text, images and voice together. It is built for complex workflows and professional use.
Use: AI search assistant providing accurate answers, citations, and real-time information within Google’s ecosystem.
Founded: Google’s AI Mode is evolving Gemini’s capabilities.
Advantage: Leads in trivia and recent events accuracy, per the librarian’s study.
Cost: Often included in Google services; advanced features may require a subscription.
Best For: Professionals needing reliable, up-to-date search results.
Pro Tip: Use alongside traditional search to compare perspectives.
14. Grok (X)
Grok is an AI chatbot crafted by Elon Musk’s xAI, designed to offer witty, unfiltered conversation and real-time insights via its integration with X (formerly Twitter). Its evolution—from Grok-1 through Grok-4—has brought enhanced reasoning, coding skills, voice interaction, image generation, and even advanced “Think” and “DeepSearch” modes, making it one of the most capable and dynamic assistants today. Grok 4, the latest version, excels in complex tasks such as math, science, coding, and multimodal interaction, and is accessible via X Premium+ or SuperGrok tiers.
Use: Created by Elon Musk’s company xAI, Grok first appeared in 2023 and has rapidly evolved through Grok-1 to Grok-4 by 2025.
Founded: Various companies; part of the 2025 AI evolution.
Advantage: Unlike many AI tools that stick to polished or safe outputs, Grok’s edge lies in its boldness, humour, and advanced features like reasoning, coding, image generation, and its “Think” and “DeepSearch” modes.
Cost: Grok is available through X Premium+ and SuperGrok tiers, making it accessible via a subscription for X users.
Best For: Writers, researchers, and businesses looking for quick, raw, and thought-provoking answers, as well as individuals who enjoy a more human-like, personality-driven AI.
Pro Tip: Use Grok alongside more formal AI tools like Claude for long-form reasoning and documentation. Grok can spark ideas and provide real-time context, while others can polish and structure them.
15. 1min.AI
1min.AI combines multiple AI functions such as text, video and audio creation into one platform. This is one of the few AI tools built with affordability in mind, making it suitable for freelancers and small businesses. This all-in-one approach reduces the need for multiple tools while still delivering quality results.
Use: All-in-one AI platform bundling ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, plus tools for writing, video, image, voice-over, transcription, and keyword research.
Founded: Launched in 2023.
Advantage: Pools multiple AI functionalities into a single interface, very convenient for generalists.
Cost: Lifetime Pro subscription currently discounted (~$30 instead of ~$234).
Best For: Solopreneurs, freelancers, and content marketers.
Pro Tip: Take advantage of the lifetime deal if you plan to use multiple AI services regularly.
Table of The Best AI Tools
| Field | Tool(s) | Strength | Access / Cost | Best Pick For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Research & Search | Perplexity, Gemini AI Mode | $29–$199 per month or one-time deal | Free / $20 (Pro) | Students, professionals, fact checkers |
| Writing & Generative | ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini | Up-to-date information with citations | Free / $20–200 per month | Writers, coders, businesses |
| Visual & Design | Recraft, Canva Magic Design | Easy images and design | Free tier / $15 per month | Marketers, startups, creatives |
| Video & Voice Over | Synthesia, Murf, 1min.AI | Scalable multimedia | $29–$199 per month or one time deal | Educators, YouTubers, trainers |
| Productivity & Sales | ClickUp Brain, Pipedrive AI, Notion AI | Automation, workflow gains | $7–$37 per month | Teams, project managers, sales reps |
| Open & Low Cost AI | DeepSeek | Affordable, open source | Free (tech skills required) | Developers, startups, researchers |
These best AI tools span research, creativity, productivity, and more. They offer practical ways to simplify tasks, boost results, and explore fresh ideas.
AI tools are no longer futuristic add-ons; they have become everyday partners reshaping how we think, work, and create. From simplifying research and powering creativity to automating sales and building entire videos in minutes, these tools are helping people move faster and smarter across every field.
The best AI tools today are not just about technology. They are about possibility. Whether you’re a student looking to study smarter, a professional aiming to boost productivity, or a business trying to stay ahead of competition, there is an AI tool designed to give you that edge.
The future belongs to those who embrace these innovations early. Try them, explore them, and make them work for you because AI is not replacing human potential; it is amplifying it.
Till I come your way again, don’t forget to subscribe to Doyin’s Honest Notes and enjoy a drop of honey for your day…