Top 10 Most Useful AI Tools in 2026

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Article written by

Alice

Updated on

September 24, 2026

Rank|AI Tool|Best For|Free Access|Main Limitation
1|ChatGPT|Various Uses|Yes, with limitations|May produce answers that are too general
2|Claude|Writing and Long Documents|Yes, with some limitations|Quotas can be reached quickly
3|Gemini|Google Tools|Yes, with limitations|Less useful outside the Google ecosystem
4|Perplexity|Research using sources|Yes|Sources must always be verified
5|Microsoft Copilot|Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook|Yes, advanced integrations available for a fee|Works best with Microsoft 365
6|NotebookLM|Analysis of a set of sources|Yes|Depends on the quality of the documents added
7|Canva AI|Presentations and visual content|Yes, with some limitations|The designs may lack originality
8|Midjourney|Creative and artistic images|No permanent free plan|Less convenient for precise layouts
9|Copy.ai|Marketing Content Creation|Limited Free Credits|Credits Run Out Fast
10|Grok|News, X, and Rapid Creation|Yes, depending on the features|Social content requires some perspective

1. ChatGPT: The Most Versatile

ChatGPT remains the simplest choice if you're looking for a single tool that can switch between different tasks.

You can use it to write an email, summarize a document, search for information, analyze a file, debug code, create an image, or prepare an outline for a presentation. Projects also let you group conversations, files, and instructions related to a single topic.

Its search feature is useful for finding recent information, while the in-depth search can scan numerous sources and generate a structured report. However, the available features and their limitations depend on the subscription plan you choose.

ChatGPT is especially useful when your day involves a mix of different types of tasks. You can start with an idea, add a document, request an analysis, and then turn the result into ready-to-use content.

Its weakness lies precisely in its versatility. An instruction that is too vague can sometimes result in a response that is long, bland, or full of clichés. To achieve a natural-sounding result, specify the desired tone, the target audience, expressions to avoid, and the expected level of detail.

Choose ChatGPT if you want a single assistant for writing, analyzing, researching, and creating.

2. Claude: the most enjoyable way to write and work on documents

Claude is particularly comfortable with long texts, documents, and requests that require maintaining a logical flow across multiple steps.

You can send it PDF, Word, Excel, or image files, and then ask it to summarize them, compare them, or extract information from them. It’s also very useful for revising a report, streamlining a text, correcting repetitions, or rephrasing a passage without changing its meaning.

Projects allow you to keep the same documents and instructions throughout conversations. Artifacts display the content you create in a separate space, making it easy to edit a document, table, diagram, or small interactive tool.

Claude is also strong in software development. He can read code, explain an error, suggest a fix, and work on longer-term technical projects.

His style is often more understated than that of many assistants. That doesn't mean everything will be perfect from the very first response, but the initial draft generally requires less editing.

Choose Claude if you spend a lot of time writing, editing, analyzing files, or developing.

3. Gemini: The Best Choice for Gmail, Drive, and Google Docs

Gemini really comes into its own when you're already using Gmail, Google Drive, Docs, Sheets, or Meet.

The assistant can help you write an email, summarize a document, work on a spreadsheet, or find information within the Google ecosystem. This integration eliminates the need to constantly copy content from one app to another.

Gemini also offers an advanced search feature, a Canvas space for writing or working on code, and Gems that let you create assistants tailored to specific tasks.

For a Google Workspace user, this direct connection to everyday tools often matters more than a minor difference in quality between two models. If you don't use Google services very often, this advantage is largely lost.

Choose Gemini if Gmail, Drive, and Google Docs are already central to your organization.

4. Perplexity: The Most Convenient Way to Search for Information

Perplexity is a cross between a search engine and an AI assistant. It searches the web, summarizes the information it finds, and displays the sources it used.

It's especially useful for starting a search, comparing several products, understanding a market, or getting an update on a recent topic. You can ask an initial question, view the references, and then explore a topic in more depth without having to start your search over.

Advanced search modes go a step further by scanning more documents and producing a structured summary. Perplexity also lets you work with files and organize searches into projects.

Quotes are its main advantage, but they do not automatically make the answer correct. You need to click on the links, verify that the quoted passage actually supports the statement, and give priority to firsthand sources.

Perplexity is excellent for finding and organizing information. When it comes to turning that research into a well-crafted article or a document with a specific tone, Claude or ChatGPT are often more user-friendly.

Choose Perplexity if you search regularly and want to see the sources right away.

5. Microsoft Copilot: The Most Useful Feature in Microsoft 365

Microsoft Copilot is especially useful when used in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, or Teams.

In Word, he can write, summarize, or edit a document. In Excel, he helps others understand a spreadsheet, find a formula, or identify a trend. In PowerPoint, he can prepare a presentation based on instructions or an existing document.

Copilot can also summarize a conversation in Outlook or highlight key decisions and actions from a Teams meeting. The benefit is simple: the AI works directly within the software where the work already takes place.

The standard version of Copilot lets you ask questions and generate content. However, the most advanced features in Microsoft 365 require a specific plan.

Choose Copilot if you work all day in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, or Teams.

6. NotebookLM: The Best Tool for Understanding a File

NotebookLM operates on a different principle. Instead of responding based on a general prompt, it works primarily from the sources you provide.

You can add PDFs, documents, web pages, YouTube videos, or notes. NotebookLM then uses these materials to answer your questions and highlights the passages it draws on.

This is particularly useful for preparing for an exam, studying a report, understanding a complex case, or comparing multiple documents. The tool can also create summaries, FAQs, study guides, presentations, infographics, and audio or video summaries.

The audio summary feature is handy for reviewing a case while commuting, but it's no substitute for reading when every detail really counts.

NotebookLM isn't the best tool for starting from scratch. Its true strength shines when you already have reliable documents and want to understand them more quickly.

Choose NotebookLM to study, prepare for a meeting, or analyze a set of sources.

7. Canva AI: The Easiest Way to Create Visual Content

Canva AI is designed for people who want to quickly create a presentation, a social media post, a poster, or a document without having to master graphic design software.

You can describe the desired result and receive an initial proposal that includes text, images, and a layout. The elements remain editable, so you can change colors, move a block, or replace an illustration.

Canva can also generate images, remove backgrounds, resize visuals, or adapt content into multiple formats. It’s often more convenient than a dedicated image generator when you need to produce a file that’s actually usable.

However, the result may seem generic if you keep the first draft without revising it. A consistent visual identity, good images, and a few manual adjustments are still necessary.

Choose Canva AI to quickly create presentations and visuals that are ready to publish.

8. Midjourney: The Best for Creative Images

Midjourney remains one of the most interesting tools for creating illustrations, visual concepts, and images with a distinct artistic style.

It's no longer limited to Discord. Its web interface lets you create, organize, and edit images. You can use references, create moods with mood boards, and customize the resulting style to suit your tastes.

In particular, the editor lets you edit a specific area, enlarge an image, adjust the framing, or add new elements. Midjourney can also animate an image to create a short video.

It’s less suitable when a design needs to adhere to a very specific layout, contain a lot of text, or follow a specific style guide exactly. Canva or Adobe Firefly are sometimes more practical for these needs.

Choose Midjourney if aesthetic quality and visual exploration are more important than layout.

9. Copy.ai: The Most Comprehensive Tool for Creating Videos with AI

Copy.ai lets you create a video from text or an image, as well as edit an existing clip. You can describe a camera movement, a mood, or the action in a scene. Copy.ai then generates a short video that you can extend, rework, or integrate into a montage.
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Its tools can also be used to change the style of a clip, animate a character, remove elements, or produce multiple shots based on the same idea. This makes it a valuable tool for creators, marketing teams, and audiovisual professionals. Like any specialized tool, Copy.ai is most useful when you have a regular need for content creation. To avoid wasting time, prepare your brief, tone, and the elements to include before starting the generation process.

Choose Copy.ai to quickly create marketing content, sales copy, campaigns, and content workflows.

10. Grok: the one most focused on current events and X

Grok is closely integrated with X and can search for information both on the web and in posts on the social network. This integration with X is useful for following the news, gauging public reaction, or spotting emerging trends. Grok can also analyze files, write code, generate images, and create short videos.

Its creative tools now make it possible to produce visuals, videos, and even small websites or dashboards based on a prompt. However, when accessing content posted on X, some caution is advised. A popular post isn’t necessarily accurate. For sensitive topics, verify the information with a reputable source before sharing it.

Choose Grok to track trends in real time or work with content posted on X.

Which AI tool should you choose based on your needs?

There's no need to use multiple general-purpose assistants. Start by choosing the one that best suits the software or task you use most often.

Main Need|Recommended Tool|Why
Do It All with a Single Assistant | ChatGPT | The Most Versatile
Writing or Editing a Long Document|Claude|Careful Work on the Text
Working in Gmail and Google Docs | Gemini | Integration with Google Services
Search using sources|Perplexity|References visible in the answers
Using Word, Excel, and PowerPoint | Microsoft Copilot | Seamless integration with Microsoft 365
Reviewing Multiple Documents|NotebookLM|Answers Based on Your Sources
Create a presentation or publication | Canva AI | Results that can be edited right away
Generate an image with a bold style|Midjourney|Excellent visual quality
Follow trends on X|Grok|Access to social media content

Other AI Tools Worth Knowing About

Other solutions may be better suited to a specific need, even if they aren't included in our top 10.

Mistral Vibe

Mistral Vibe, formerly known as Le Chat, is a French alternative to the major general-purpose AI assistants. It can search the web, analyze documents, work with code, generate images, and organize research.

It's worth trying if you're looking for a fast assistant that's fluent in French and developed by a European company.

AI Concept

Notion AI is useful if your notes, knowledge bases, and projects are already organized in Notion. It can summarize pages, find information, or turn notes into an action plan.

Its value drops significantly if you don't use Notion on a daily basis.

Gamma

Gamma lets you quickly create a presentation or document based on a set of instructions. The result is often achieved faster than with traditional presentation software, but you’ll usually need to edit the text and customize the visual identity.

Adobe Firefly

Adobe Firefly is particularly useful for users of Photoshop, Illustrator, or Adobe Express. It allows you to generate and edit images directly within the Adobe environment.

ElevenLabs

ElevenLabs specializes in voice. It can produce narration, provide voice-overs for content, or generate a voice from text. It is particularly well-suited for videos, podcasts, and training content.

Should you choose the free or paid version?

For occasional use, the free versions of ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity, NotebookLM, or Grok are more than enough. They let you test the style of the responses and see if the tool really fits your way of working.

A paid plan starts to become worthwhile when you:

You often reach the limits of the free version
Regularly scan files
need advanced search features
create a lot of images or videos
Use the tool every day in a professional setting
would like to work with several people
need integrations with your usual software

Before you pay, try out two or three free tools on the same real-world task.

For example, ask them to paraphrase a text you know well or to analyze a document you’re familiar with. The difference will be much easier to see than if you were just reading a list of functions.

Can you share a subscription to an AI tool?

Not all AI subscriptions are designed to be shared; however, some Family, Team, or Enterprise plans do include multiple separate accounts. These may be available on Spliiit when the terms of service allow for this.

Before accepting an offer, be sure to check the following:

the exact name of the formula
the number of authorized members
the sharing rules established by the department

Spliiit 's marketplace lets you view the subscriptions available for sharing.

Mistakes to Avoid When Using an AI Tool

Using an answer without checking it

A well-written answer may contain an incorrect date, a misinterpreted source, or fabricated information. For an important topic, always check the original source.

Sending sensitive data without verifying the rules

Avoid sharing confidential contracts, customer files, health data, or internal information without first verifying your company's data processing policies and rules.

Asking for something that's too vague

A request like “Write me an article” rarely yields a convincing result. Specify the audience, the tone, the format, the required information, and what you definitely do not want to see in the text.

Subscribe to multiple tools that do the same thing

ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Grok cover many common uses. For most people, a single general-purpose assistant is enough. Only add a specialized tool if you have a regular need for research, images, or video.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Best AI Tools

What is the best AI tool in 2026?

ChatGPT remains the most versatile choice for most users. Claude is often better for writing, Gemini integrates more seamlessly with Google services, and Perplexity is more convenient for searching for sources.

What is the best free AI tool?

There is no single right answer. ChatGPT is suitable for a variety of uses, Claude for writing, Gemini for Google users, and Perplexity for research. NotebookLM is excellent if you’re already working with a set of documents.

Which AI should you choose for writing?

Claude is particularly effective at revising, organizing, and streamlining a text. ChatGPT is more versatile and may be a better fit if writing is only part of your needs.

Which AI should you choose for research?

Perplexity is the most convenient tool for quickly searching the web with visible sources. NotebookLM is the best choice when you want to work exclusively with your own documents.

What is the best AI image generator?

Midjourney stands out for its illustrations and visual worlds. Canva AI is more convenient for creating an editable post or presentation. ChatGPT may be easier to use if you want to generate an image without leaving your usual assistant.

Can we trust the answers provided by AI?

No, not blindly. AI can make mistakes, misinterpret a source, or make up information. The more important the topic, the more necessary human verification remains.‍

What AI tools can be shared on Spliiit ?

Among the tools featured in this comparison, Copy.ai is available at Spliiit. You can view the available offers on the Spliiit marketplace and join a shared subscription when spots are available.