Introduction
AI is transforming how we work, create, and automate tasks—but many powerful tools come with expensive subscriptions. Luckily, there are completely free AI tools that rival paid options..
In this post, we’ve tested and ranked the 10 best free AI tools you should be using right now. Whether you need AI writing, design, video editing, or coding help, this list has you covered.
1. ChatGPT (OpenAI) – Best Free AI Chatbot
🔗 https://chat.openai.com
✅ Best for: Content writing, brainstorming, coding help
💰 Free Plan: Yes (GPT-3.5)
ChatGPT remains one of the most versatile free AI tools. Use it for:
✔ Blog post ideas
✔ Email drafting
✔ Python & JavaScript coding help
Limitation: GPT-4 is paid, but GPT-3.5 is still powerful.
What Makes It Special?
ChatGPT’s free version (GPT-3.5) is a Swiss Army knife for text-based tasks—unlike most AI tools, it doesn’t bombard you with paywalls mid-task.
How to Use It for Free (Without Hitting Limits)
- Accessing GPT-3.5: Go to chat.openai.com → Click “Try ChatGPT” → Sign up with Google/email.
- Be Specific with Prompts: Instead of “Write a blog,” try:
“Give me a 500-word outline for a blog titled ‘Best Free AI Tools’ with H2 and H3 headers.” - Bypass Word Limits: If it cuts off, say “Continue” or “Expand on point #3.”
- Code Debugging: Paste error messages + ask for fixes (works for Python, JS, even Excel formulas).
Workarounds for Paid Features
- No GPT-4? Use Perplexity.ai (free + real-time web search).
- Need longer responses? Break queries into smaller chunks.
Limitations to Mention
- No file uploads in free tier (use Claude.ai instead).
- Forgets context after ~3000 words.
2. Canva AI – Best Free AI Design Tool
🔗 https://www.canva.com/ai-tools/
✅ Best for: Social media graphics, presentations, logos
💰 Free Plan: Yes (with premium features)
Canva’s AI-powered Magic Studio helps:
✔ Generate images from text
✔ Remove backgrounds instantly
✔ Auto-resize designs for different platforms
Secret Free Features Most Miss
- Magic Edit: Replace parts of images (e.g., change a T-shirt color) without Photoshop.
- Text-to-Design: Type “Instagram post about summer sale” → AI generates templates.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Remove Backgrounds:
- Upload image → Click “BG Remover” → Download instantly (no watermark).
- AI Image Generation:
- Open “Magic Media” → Type “cyberpunk cityscape” → Pick a style → Download.
- Resize for Free:
- Open design → “Resize” → Enter new dimensions (works even in free plan).
Tricks to Avoid Paywalls
- Export as MP4 for videos (free, unlike premium tools like Pictory).
- Use “Magic Write” for blog intros (hidden in the “Apps” tab).
3. Grammarly (Free Version) – Best AI Writing Assistant
🔗 https://www.grammarly.com
✅ Best for: Grammar checks, tone adjustments
💰 Free Plan: Basic spelling & grammar
Grammarly’s free version helps:
✔ Fix typos & punctuation
✔ Improve sentence clarity
✔ Adjust tone (formal/casual)
Upgrade needed for: Full-style rewrites & plagiarism checks.
How to Maximize the Free Plan
- Browser Extension: Works in Gmail, Google Docs, Twitter.
- Tone Adjustments: Hover over sentences → Click the tone icon (even free users get this).
What You Can’t Do for Free
- Plagiarism checks (use QuillBot’s free checker).
- Full rewrites (but you can paraphrase sentence-by-sentence).
Pro Tip
Combine with ChatGPT for drafting → Grammarly for polishing.
4. CapCut – Best Free AI Video Editor
🔗 https://www.capcut.com
✅ Best for: TikTok, YouTube Shorts, Reels
💰 Free Plan: Full access (watermark-free)
CapCut’s AI features:
✔ Auto-captions
✔ AI-generated scripts
✔ Background remover
Zero-Watermark Method
- Edit Normally: Trim clips, add text.
- Before Exporting:
- Remove CapCut logo from the timeline.
- Use “Custom Export” → 1080p (still free).
Hidden AI Tools
- Auto-Captions: Upload video → “Captions” → “Auto-generate” → Edit mistakes.
- AI Script Generator: Tap “+” → “AI Script” → Type topic (e.g., “Why AI tools are useful”).
Limitation
- 4K exports require paid (but 1080p is fine for YouTube/TikTok).
5. Google Gemini (Formerly Bard) – Best ChatGPT Alternative
🔗 https://gemini.google.com
✅ Best for: Research, summaries, coding
💰 Free Plan: Yes (connected to Google Search)
Gemini excels at:
✔ Real-time web searches
✔ Summarizing articles
✔ Generating Excel formulas
Free Features You Didn’t Know
- Image Uploads: Ask “What’s in this photo?” (unlike free ChatGPT).
- Google Workspace Integration: Type “Summarize my Google Doc” (connects to Drive).
Step-by-Step Usage
- Real-Time Research:
- Ask “Latest news about AI in healthcare” → Gemini fetches live links.
- Data Analysis:
- Upload a CSV → “Find trends in this sales data” (free, unlike ChatGPT).
When to Avoid It
- Creative writing (ChatGPT’s free version is better for stories).
6. Runway ML – Best Free AI for Creatives
🔗 https://runwayml.com
✅ Best for: AI art, video effects, green screen removal
💰 Free Plan: Limited credits
Runway’s AI can:
✔ Remove objects from videos
✔ Generate AI art from text
✔ Slow-mo videos with AI
Free Credits Hack
- Multiple Accounts: Sign up with different emails to reset the 1GB free monthly limit.
Practical Uses
- Green Screen Removal:
- Upload video → “Green Screen” → Adjust sensitivity → Download.
- AI Slow Motion:
- Upload 30fps clip → “Slow Mo” → Render at 60fps.
Warning
- Watermarks on free exports (use CapCut for watermark-free edits).
7. Perplexity AI – Best AI for Research
🔗 https://www.perplexity.ai
✅ Best for: Citations, deep research
💰 Free Plan: Yes (with sources)
Unlike ChatGPT, Perplexity:
✔ Provides cited answers
✔ Searches the web in real-time
✔ Summarizes research papers
Why It’s Better Than ChatGPT for Facts
- Sources Every Claim: Ask “How does blockchain work?” → Get cited answers.
- Thread Follow-Ups: Like Twitter threads—deep dives without losing context.
Free Usage Tips
- Academic Research: Type “Studies about AI in education” → Filter by .edu/.gov sources.
- Comparison Queries: “ChatGPT vs. Gemini for coding” → Gets neutral comparisons.
8. ElevenLabs – Best Free AI Voice Generator
🔗 https://elevenlabs.io
✅ Best for: Text-to-speech, voice cloning
💰 Free Plan: 10,000 characters/month
Use ElevenLabs for:
✔ YouTube voiceovers
✔ Audiobook narration
✔ Custom AI voices
How to Get the Most Out of Free Tier
- Voice Cloning: Record 1 minute of your voice → Clone it (free for personal use).
- Extend Character Limit: Split long texts into 250-word chunks.
Best for
- YouTube Narration: More natural than Google’s robotic TTS.
- Audiobook Samples: Non-commercial use allowed.
9. Notion AI (Free Plan) – Best AI for Productivity
🔗 https://www.notion.so/product/ai
✅ Best for: Notes, task automation
💰 Free Plan: Limited AI queries
Notion AI helps:
✔ Summarize meeting notes
✔ Generate to-do lists
✔ Draft blog outlines
Hidden Free Uses
- Meeting Notes: Paste transcript → “Summarize key points” (no paywall).
- Database Automation: Type “Create a content calendar” → AI builds the template.
Limitation
- 20 free AI responses/block (but you can make multiple blocks).
10. Hugging Face – Best Free AI for Developers
🔗 https://huggingface.co
✅ Best for: Open-source AI models
💰 Free Plan: Yes (community-driven)
Hugging Face offers:
✔ Free LLMs (like Llama 2)
✔ AI chatbot playground
✔ Image-generation models
How Non-Coders Can Use It
- Chatbot Testing: Visit Hugging Face Spaces → Try user-made AI demos.
- Image Generation: Search “Stable Diffusion” → Use free web interfaces.
For Developers
- Free API Access: Many models allow 1000 free calls/month.
