Best AI Tools to Use in 2026

Looking for the best AI tools in 2026? This curated list covers the top AI software for writing, video creation, productivity, research, and business. Whether you’re a creator, entrepreneur, or professional, these tools can help you work faster and smarter.

Disclosure: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links. This means we may earn a commission if you sign up through them, at no extra cost to you.¹

1. ChatGPT – 🔥 Best all-around AI for writing, research, and ideas

ChatGPT is one of the most widely used AI tools for writing, brainstorming, summaries, and everyday productivity.

PROS

• Best for general writing and ideas
• Easy to use for beginners
• Useful across many tasks

CONS

• Advanced features require paid plan
• Can occasionally be inaccurate

PRICE

• Free plan available
• Paid plans start at ~$20/month

2. Jasper – 🏆 Best for marketing teams and long-form content

Jasper is an AI writing tool built for marketing and long-form content such as blog posts, ads, and email campaigns.

PROS

• Best for marketing copy and blogs
• Templates for ads, emails, and landing pages
• Used by content teams and businesses

CONS

• More expensive than general AI tools
• Less flexible outside marketing use cases

PRICE

• Paid plans start at ~$39/month

3. Copy.ai

Copy.ai focuses on short-form writing like social posts, product descriptions, and quick marketing copy.

PROS

• Best for short-form content
• Easy for beginners
• Popular with small businesses

CONS

• Not ideal for long-form content
• Limited customization on lower plans

PRICE

• Free plan available
• Paid plans start at ~$36/month

1. Runway  – 🎬 Best AI video generator for creators

Runway is a powerful AI video creation and editing platform used for video generation and visual effects.

PROS

• Best for AI video generation
• Advanced editing features
• Used by creators and filmmakers

CONS

• Learning curve for beginners
• Advanced features require paid plan

PRICE

• Free plan available
• Paid plans start at ~$15/month

2. Pictory

Pictory converts text, articles, or scripts into short videos automatically, making it ideal for social media.

PROS

• Best for text-to-video
• No editing experience needed
• Great for marketing videos

CONS

• Limited creative control
• Not ideal for cinematic videos

PRICE

• Paid plans start at ~$19/month

3. Synthesia

Synthesia lets users create videos with AI avatars and voiceovers, commonly used for training and presentations.

PROS

• Best for AI avatar videos
• Useful for training and business
• Supports multiple languages

CONS

• Less creative freedom
• Higher cost than basic video tools

PRICE

• Paid plans start at ~$30/month

1. Notion – 📘 Best AI for notes and organization

Notion AI adds AI-powered writing, summaries, and task assistance inside the Notion workspace.

PROS

• Best for notes and organization
• Works inside Notion
• Good for teams and individuals

CONS

• Can feel overwhelming at first
• AI is an add-on cost

PRICE

• Free plan available
• AI add-on starts at ~$10/month

2. ClickUp

ClickUp AI helps with task management, summaries, and project planning inside the ClickUp platform.

PROS

• Best for project management
• AI-powered task summaries
• Used by teams and businesses

CONS

• Interface can feel complex
• Setup takes time

PRICE

• Free plan available
• Paid plans start at ~$10/month

3. Motion

Motion automatically schedules tasks and meetings using AI to optimize your calendar.

PROS

• Best for time management
• Smart calendar scheduling
• Ideal for busy professionals

CONS

• No free plan
• Best suited for solo users or managers

PRICE

• Paid plans start at ~$19/month

1. Perplexity – ⚡ Fastest AI research tool with sources

Perplexity AI is an AI-powered search and research tool that provides sourced answers to complex questions.

PROS

• Best for research and fact-checking
• Provides sources
• Faster than traditional search

CONS

• Limited customization
• Advanced features require paid plan

PRICE

• Free plan available
• Pro plan starts at ~$20/month

2. Elicit

Elicit is designed for academic and professional research, helping summarize papers and extract insights.

PROS

• Best for academic research
• Summarizes papers
• Useful for students and researchers

CONS

• Focused mainly on academic use
• Limited general-purpose features

PRICE

• Free plan available
• Paid plans start at ~$10/month

3. Consensus

Consensus uses AI to find answers directly from scientific research papers.

PROS

• Best for evidence-based answers
• Uses peer-reviewed research
• Ideal for serious research

CONS

• Narrow focus
• Not suited for creative tasks

PRICE

• Free plan available
• Paid plans vary

1. Hubspot

HubSpot AI helps businesses automate marketing, sales, and customer support tasks.

PROS

• Best for marketing automation
• CRM-powered AI tools
• Used by growing businesses

CONS

• Can get expensive as you scale
• Feature overload for small teams

PRICE

• Free tools available
• Paid plans start at ~$20/month

2. Salesforce Einstein

Salesforce Einstein adds AI insights and automation to the Salesforce CRM platform.

PROS

• Best for enterprise sales
• Predictive analytics
• Deep CRM integration

CONS

• Expensive
• Overkill for small businesses

PRICE

• Pricing varies by Salesforce plan

3. Zoho AI

Zoho AI provides automation and analytics tools across Zoho’s business software ecosystem.

PROS

• Best for small-to-medium businesses
• AI-powered analytics
• Affordable business tools

CONS

• UI not as polished as competitors
• Some tools feel basic

PRICE

• Free tools available
• Paid plans start at ~$10/month

How We Chose These AI Tools

• Actively used in 2025–2026
• Strong AI capabilities and reliability
• Popular with creators, teams, and businesses
• Proven productivity or revenue impact

1. Affiliate Disclosure ↩︎