Best AI Tools for 2026: Which Subscription Should You Choose Based on Your Needs?

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Marina

Updated on

August 28, 2026

Best AI Tools for 2026: Which Subscription Should You Choose Based on Your Needs?

You open ChatGPT to write a message, Perplexity to verify some information, and then Gemini because the document is already in Drive. A few weeks later, you find yourself with several overlapping subscriptions, even though they’re used for almost the same things.

The choice becomes easier once you start with your actual needs. Some tools are designed for writing and analysis, while others are for finding sources, creating images, or making short videos. And in many cases, a single paid subscription—supplemented by a few free versions—is more than enough.

You can also consult the guide to AI subscriptions available at Spliiit to find services designed for multiple users.

Which AI tool should you choose based on what you actually do?

No.|Tool|Main Use|Free Access|Paid Plans|Limitations to Be Aware Of
1|ChatGPT|Writing, analysis, coding, various tasks|Yes|Several personal and professional applications|May produce very generic text if the request lacks context
2|Claude|Long documents, rewriting, analysis, code|Yes|Pro, Max, Team, Enterprise|Long conversations quickly use up usage limits
3|Gemini|Gmail, Docs, Drive, Search, and Multimedia|Yes|Google AI Plus, Pro, and Ultra|It's less useful if you don't use Google services much
4|Perplexity|Web search, monitoring, and sourced answers|Yes|Pro, Max, and Enterprise|The cited references must still be opened and verified
5|Microsoft Copilot|Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook|Chat available|Microsoft 365 and business plans|AI features in a personal plan are limited to the account holder
6|Mistral Vibe|Research, writing, coding, and automation|Yes|Pro, Team, and Enterprise|A service that is still evolving
7|Midjourney|Illustrations and Art Direction|Not available on the web or Discord|Basic, Standard, Pro, and Mega|Individual account and public creations by default
8|Runway|Video Creation and Editing|Limited Trial|Standard, Pro, Max, and Enterprise|Credits can run out quickly during trials

1. ChatGPT: The Most Versatile Option to Get Started

ChatGPT remains the simplest choice when looking for an assistant capable of handling a wide range of tasks. It can edit text, summarize a document, explain a concept, analyze data, generate code, or create an image. The use cases presented by OpenAI give a good idea of its versatility.

It’s also one of the most user-friendly tools for beginners. The interface understands natural language queries and allows you to refine the results as the conversation progresses, without having to learn a series of commands.

Its main flaw becomes apparent precisely when it is given too much freedom. A request such as “write a good article” often results in a text that is polished but bland, repetitive, and lacking in personality. ChatGPT works much better with examples, a specific audience, constraints, and some context.

The free version already lets you explore a large part of the experience. A paid plan starts to make sense if you frequently hit the limits, regularly work on files, or use the tool at various points throughout your day.

Choose ChatGPT if you want a general-purpose assistant before looking for more specialized tools.

2. Claude: more comfortable with long texts and documents

Claude is appealing not so much because of the sheer number of buttons he has collected, but rather because of the way he works with written material. It’s a pleasure to reread a report, revisit an argument, compare several documents, or clarify a text without immediately turning it into a sales pitch.

Projects allow you to organize files and instructions into a cohesive workspace. Claude can then draw on this document repository during various conversations. Anthropic explains how these spaces work in its presentation on Claude projects.

However, it does have its limitations. The more messages and attachments a conversation contains, the more of the available quota it uses. The number of requests is therefore not fixed: it depends on the model used, the size of the files, and the complexity of the task.

Claude's plans range from free access for occasional use to subscriptions designed for much more frequent use. It's best to start with the free plan and see how often the limits actually interrupt your work.

Claude is particularly well-suited for people who spend a lot of time reading, restructuring, or improving documents.

3. Gemini: The logical choice if you're already working with Google

Gemini really comes into its own when it's not confined to a single tab. Its strength lies in its integration with Gmail, Docs, and other Google services. This means it can work right where your messages, documents, and files already are.

Whether you're drafting a reply in Gmail, copying text from Docs, or working with a document saved in Drive, this seamless integration eliminates the need to copy content to another interface. Google AI services are gradually adding more limits, storage, and features to Google apps.

The free version is sufficient for occasional searches, brainstorming, or short summaries. The paid plans are a better fit for people who actually use Workspace integrations, large files, or the creative tools offered by Google.

Outside of this ecosystem, the choice isn't as clear-cut. If you don't use Gmail, Drive, or Docs very often, ChatGPT and Claude offer an equally accessible, general-purpose experience.

Gemini is especially useful when your work habits are already centered around Google services.

4. Perplexity: for searching without losing track of your sources

Perplexity is more like a conversational search engine than a traditional writing assistant. You ask a question, it searches the web, constructs an answer, and displays the sources it used.

It’s useful for setting up a monitoring system, identifying documents, or quickly getting a handle on a new topic. The free version already covers many common research needs. Perplexity’s paid plans provide expanded access to in-depth research, files, and a wider selection of templates.

However, you must resist the temptation to assume that a cited response is automatically accurate. A reference may address the correct topic without specifically substantiating the sentence it accompanies. For a date, a number, a contractual term, or important advice, always click on the link.

Perplexity writes well, but that’s not where it really stands out. It’s most useful at the beginning of a project, when you need to gather information. Another tool can then help you organize or rephrase that information.

Choose Perplexity if the traceability of information is more important than the creativity of the answer.

5. Microsoft Copilot: Useful when your files are stored in Office

Copilot really comes into its own in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. It can help you revise a document, summarize a conversation, analyze a spreadsheet, or prepare a presentation without requiring you to constantly rely on an external service.

However, how convenient this is depends on your habits. If you only use Word occasionally, it will be hard to justify the subscription just for the AI. If you already do all your work through Microsoft 365, the integration becomes much more appealing.

There is also an important difference between sharing Microsoft 365 and accessing Copilot. Microsoft states in its AI credits summary that advanced features are reserved for the subscription holder. Other invited users can enjoy the shareable benefits of Microsoft 365, but do not automatically receive the same AI features.

This is something to keep in mind before joining a shared plan solely to use Copilot. The subscription may still be worthwhile for Office apps and storage, but the AI feature shouldn’t be promised to every co-subscriber.

Copilot is a good choice if your primary goal is to enhance the Microsoft tools you already use.

6. Mistral Vibe: A French Alternative That Has Become More Ambitious

Mistral's Chat has evolved into Vibe. The service now combines several ways of working: quick conversations, search, multi-step work tasks, and code assistance.

The tool handles French with ease and responds quickly to common requests. It can summarize a document, search the web, edit a text, or help explore data. Mistral also offers integrations with numerous tools within the Vibe interface.

The free plan is suitable for quick questions and small tasks. Paid subscriptions are better suited for lengthy tasks, agents, code, and team use.

Vibe is evolving rapidly, which is both its strength and its weakness. New features are added regularly, but the product’s structure and the names of certain features may still change. The ecosystem is also less established than those of Google or Microsoft.

Vibe is worth a try if you're looking for a French solution that can handle writing, research, and coding all within the same interface.

7. Midjourney: for creating a visual universe

Midjourney isn't meant to replace a general-purpose assistant. Its primary purpose is to create images, test out a mood, design a poster, put together a mood board, or explore an artistic direction.

Contrary to a still-widespread belief, Discord is no longer essential. Midjourney now has a full-fledged web-based creation interface. There, you can enter a prompt, add reference images, change the format, and generate variations.

Its aesthetic quality remains its main appeal, but the tool requires patience. Creating a cohesive character, adhering to a style guide, or positioning text correctly can take a lot of trial and error. A beautiful first image doesn’t necessarily mean that an entire campaign will be easy to execute.

All Midjourney subscriptions are paid plans on the web and Discord. By default, creations are also visible to the public. The feature that allows you to keep them private is available only with certain higher-tier plans.

Finally, the account is intended for individual use. Midjourney specifies that sharing access is not permitted.

Midjourney is best suited for people who value visual style more than the simplicity of the first result.

8. Runway: To Switch from Image to Video

Runway is designed for creators who want to generate or edit short video clips. You can start with text, an image, or an existing video to test a camera movement, change the mood, or prepare a shot.

Free access is based on a one-time allocation of credits. It is primarily intended to help you familiarize yourself with the interface. As soon as you start trying out different options, extending the duration, or experimenting with different models, your credits will run out quickly.

This is the main thing to watch out for. Video rendering rarely works on the first try: a strange movement, an element that disappears, or a clunky transition is enough to trigger a re-render. In fact, Runway acknowledges in its presentation of its various plans that creative projects often require multiple attempts.

This tool is very useful for animated storyboards, short commercials, video backgrounds, or mockups. However, it is less effective as a substitute for actual editing once the sequence becomes long and complex.

Sharing login credentials is not supported. Collaborative workspaces operate with editors that are added and billed separately.

You should consider using Runway if video is actually part of your production—not just to test a few effects.

Is it really worth paying for an AI subscription?

Stick with the free version as long as the limitations don't interfere with your work

Whether you're writing a few messages, summarizing a document, or asking specific questions, the free versions of ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity, Copilot, and Vibe are already useful.

There's no reason to subscribe right away in the first week. Try the same type of task on two or three tools, then see which one you naturally feel like using again.

Can you share an AI subscription on Spliiit ?

A subscription that can be used on multiple devices is not necessarily intended for multiple people. Similarly, the existence of a business plan does not automatically allow you to share the login credentials for an individual account.

Some solutions are better suited for shared subscriptions. Copy.ai Advanced, for example, supports multiple seats and separate invitations. The Copy.ai sharing guide explains the relevant plan and the steps to follow.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Best AI Tools

What is the best free AI tool?

ChatGPT is a good starting point for a variety of needs. Claude is useful for summarizing a text or analyzing a document, while Perplexity is more practical for searching for information with visible references.

The best choice, therefore, depends less on an overall ranking than on the task you repeat most often.

ChatGPT or Claude: Which One Should You Choose for Writing?

ChatGPT is more versatile and offers a wider range of tools within the same interface. Claude is often more restrained when it comes to proofreading, restructuring, or refining a long text.

The easiest way is to submit the same draft to both free versions. The difference in tone becomes apparent right away.

Can Perplexity replace a search engine?

It can speed up an initial exploration of a topic, especially thanks to the references included in the answers. However, it does not eliminate the need to consult the original sources, particularly to verify a fact, a date, or a figure.

Which tool should you choose to create images?

Midjourney is well-suited for artistic research, visual concepts, and moods. ChatGPT or Gemini may be more convenient if you want to combine writing, analysis, and image creation in a single conversation.

For animating an image or creating a short video clip, Runway is better suited for video.

Can you share a ChatGPT, Claude, or Midjourney account?

Personal plans are designed for the account holder. The number of authorized devices should not be confused with the number of users.

If you want to share an account, look for a plan that includes multiple seats or an invitation system. Do not share the login credentials for an individual account if the terms of service do not allow it.

Does a paid subscription guarantee better answers?

Above all, it provides access to higher limits, more features, and sometimes more advanced models. However, an imprecise request can still result in an incorrect response.

The quality of the context provided, the examples, and the checks is at least as important as the formula chosen.