Updated November 15, 2026

Free AI Tools: 30 Best Free AI Tools List (2026)

The best free AI tools you can use today for chatting, writing, research, images, video, voice, presentations and coding. Every tool below has a real free plan, and we explain what you get for free, what it is best for and the limits to know before you start.

By GrowthPi Editorial · 18 min read · 30 tools in 7 categories

30 best free AI tools, updated November 2026

The 30 best free AI tools at a glance

#Free AI toolBest forCategory
1ChatGPTAll-round writing, questions, brainstorming and everyday helpChatbots
2Google GeminiPeople who live in Gmail, Google Docs, Drive and YouTubeChatbots
3ClaudeLong documents, careful writing and thoughtful analysisChatbots
4Microsoft CopilotWindows users and quick answers with web sourcesChatbots
5PerplexityResearch questions where you want sources for every answerChatbots
6DeepSeekFree reasoning for math, logic and coding questionsChatbots
7Meta AIQuick help inside WhatsApp, Instagram and FacebookChatbots
8GrokReal-time topics and conversations happening on XChatbots
9Le ChatA fast, privacy-minded European alternativeChatbots
10Gemini NotebookStudents and researchers studying their own documentsResearch
11Google AI StudioTrying Google's newest AI models and building simple AI appsResearch
12GrammarlyFixing grammar, spelling and clarity everywhere you writeWriting
13QuillBotParaphrasing, summarizing and checking grammarWriting
14DeepLNatural-sounding translationsWriting
15CanvaSocial media graphics, flyers and presentations with AI helpImages
16Adobe FireflyImages designed to be safe for commercial useImages
17IdeogramImages that include readable text, like posters and logosImages
18Leonardo.AiArtistic images, game art and consistent stylesImages
19Microsoft DesignerQuick social posts, cards and background removalImages
20CapCutEditing short videos for TikTok, Reels and ShortsVideo & audio
21Kling AITurning text or photos into short AI video clipsVideo & audio
22ElevenLabsRealistic AI voiceovers and text to speechVideo & audio
23Otter.aiMeeting notes and transcriptsVideo & audio
24GammaCreating presentations, documents and simple web pages fastProductivity
25ZapierAutomating repetitive tasks between apps, with AI stepsProductivity
26GitHub CopilotCode suggestions and chat inside your code editorCoding
27CursorAn AI-first code editor for building whole featuresCoding
28BoltBuilding and publishing web apps in the browser with an AI agentCoding
29LovableCreating websites and web apps by chatting, without codingCoding
30Hugging FaceTrying thousands of open-source AI models for freeCoding

How we chose these free AI tools

There are thousands of AI tools, and many "free" ones turn out to be short trials. For this list, every tool had to meet four rules:

  • A real free plan you can keep using, not just a 7-day trial.
  • Useful on the free plan for everyday tasks, even if heavy users will hit limits.
  • From an established company with a clear privacy policy.
  • Easy to start, usually in your browser with no credit card.

Free-plan limits change often. We checked every tool in November 2026; confirm the current details on each official site before you rely on a feature. Tools are grouped by what they do, and the number is simply each tool's place in this guide.

Best free AI chatbots and assistants

1. ChatGPT

by OpenAI · Chatbots

ChatGPT by OpenAI, a free AI tool for chatbots

Best forAll-round writing, questions, brainstorming and everyday help

Free planFree account with unlimited text chats on the GPT-5.6 Luna model, plus web search, file uploads, image generation and voice, which keep their own limits

ChatGPT is the AI assistant that made generative AI mainstream, and it is still the tool most people try first. You type a question or task in plain English and it answers in a conversation, so you can ask follow-up questions, ask it to rewrite something or change the tone.

The free plan covers most everyday needs: drafting emails and posts, summarizing articles, explaining difficult topics, planning trips, writing simple code and searching the web for current information. You can also upload files and photos, create images and talk to it out loud on your phone.

What you can do with ChatGPT for free

  • Draft emails, cover letters and social media posts
  • Summarize long documents and web pages
  • Explain a topic step by step for study
  • Brainstorm business, content or gift ideas

Good to know: Unlimited text chat is subject to OpenAI's abuse guardrails, and file uploads, images and other tools still have separate limits. OpenAI is also gradually letting free users try its newer GPT-6 Luna model, so the model menu may differ between accounts. The free plan does not include the top paid models and limits advanced features such as deep research. Free accounts may see sponsored messages below some answers. You can stop your chats being used for training in the data controls settings.

Use this AI chatgpt.com · opens the official site

2. Google Gemini

by Google · Chatbots

Google Gemini by Google, a free AI tool for chatbots

Best forPeople who live in Gmail, Google Docs, Drive and YouTube

Free planFree with a Google account on the Flash-Lite model, including connections to Google apps, with limits that refresh every five hours up to a weekly cap

Gemini is Google's AI assistant. It works in the browser, as a phone app and inside many Google products. Its biggest advantage is how well it connects to the Google services you already use: it can find details in your Gmail, summarize a YouTube video or pull information from Google Drive when you allow it.

The free version covers everyday use. It can write and edit text, answer questions with Google Search, analyze images and documents, and create and edit images with Google's image model.

What you can do with Google Gemini for free

  • Summarize a long YouTube video
  • Find information across your Gmail and Drive
  • Create or edit images from a text description
  • Plan trips with Google Maps and Flights information

Good to know: Since October 9, 2026, free users without a Google AI plan only get the Flash-Lite model, and image or video generation uses up the free allowance faster. Connecting Gmail and Drive is optional and can be switched off. Images made with Gemini include a visible or invisible watermark that marks them as AI-generated.

Use this AI gemini.google.com · opens the official site

3. Claude

by Anthropic · Chatbots

Claude by Anthropic, a free AI tool for chatbots

Best forLong documents, careful writing and thoughtful analysis

Free planFree account with chat, file and image uploads, web search and the Claude Design, Slides and Docs tools, with usage limits that reset over time

Claude, made by Anthropic, is known for natural, well-structured writing and for handling long documents. You can upload reports, contracts or research papers and ask it to summarize, compare or find specific details.

Many people use Claude for editing and rewriting, because it tends to follow detailed instructions closely and keeps a consistent tone. It is also strong at explaining code and reasoning through complex questions step by step.

What you can do with Claude for free

  • Summarize and question long PDFs
  • Edit writing for clarity and tone
  • Compare two documents side by side
  • Get step-by-step explanations of hard topics

Good to know: Free usage limits are lower than paid plans, and Design, Slides and Docs share the same allowance as chats, so long sessions can hit a pause until the limit resets. Check the privacy settings to choose whether your chats can be used to improve the models.

Use this AI claude.ai · opens the official site

4. Microsoft Copilot

by Microsoft · Chatbots

Microsoft Copilot by Microsoft, a free AI tool for chatbots

Best forWindows users and quick answers with web sources

Free planFree to use with or without a Microsoft account, including web search and image creation

Microsoft Copilot is a free AI assistant built into Windows, the Edge browser and its own apps for phones and the web. It answers questions with links to web sources, writes and rewrites text, and can create images from a description.

Because it is already on most Windows PCs, Copilot is one of the easiest ways to start using AI without installing anything or creating a new account.

What you can do with Microsoft Copilot for free

  • Ask questions and get answers with source links
  • Create images for presentations or social posts
  • Rewrite text in a different tone
  • Get help with Windows settings

Good to know: Copilot inside Word, Excel and Outlook for work is a separate paid Microsoft 365 product. Sign in for longer conversations and saved history.

Use this AI copilot.microsoft.com · opens the official site

5. Perplexity

by Perplexity AI · Chatbots

Perplexity by Perplexity AI, a free AI tool for chatbots

Best forResearch questions where you want sources for every answer

Free planFree unlimited basic searches plus a limited number of advanced searches each day

Perplexity is an AI answer engine. Instead of giving you a list of links like a search engine, it reads sources from the web and writes a short answer with numbered citations, so you can click through and check where each fact came from.

It is especially useful for current events, product comparisons and research where accuracy matters. You can ask follow-up questions and focus searches on specific types of sources.

What you can do with Perplexity for free

  • Research a topic with citations
  • Compare products before buying
  • Catch up on recent news
  • Find statistics and where they come from

Good to know: Always open the cited sources for important facts. AI summaries can still misread or oversimplify what a source says.

Use this AI perplexity.ai · opens the official site

6. DeepSeek

by DeepSeek · Chatbots

DeepSeek by DeepSeek, a free AI tool for chatbots

Best forFree reasoning for math, logic and coding questions

Free planFree chat on the web and in its apps, including a reasoning mode and web search

DeepSeek is a Chinese AI company whose free chatbot became popular for strong reasoning on math, logic and programming problems. You can turn on a "think" mode that works through problems step by step before answering.

Its models are also released openly, which means developers can run versions of them on their own computers or servers.

What you can do with DeepSeek for free

  • Work through math and logic problems
  • Debug and explain code
  • Get a second opinion on a hard question

Good to know: DeepSeek's app and website are operated from China and store data there under its privacy policy. Some U.S. government agencies and companies restrict its use, so avoid sharing personal or work information.

Use this AI chat.deepseek.com · opens the official site

7. Meta AI

by Meta · Chatbots

Meta AI by Meta, a free AI tool for chatbots

Best forQuick help inside WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook

Free planFree inside Meta's apps and on the web for casual use, including image generation

Meta AI is the assistant built into WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook and Messenger, and it also has its own website and app. Because it lives inside apps billions of people already use, you can ask it questions or create images without leaving a chat.

It can answer questions, help write messages and captions, and generate or edit images from a short description.

What you can do with Meta AI for free

  • Write captions and messages
  • Create quick images to share in chats
  • Ask questions without switching apps

Good to know: Meta now sells paid plans for people who make many images or videos or use its heavier reasoning, so heavy free use can hit limits. Conversations with Meta AI are handled under Meta's privacy policy. Do not share private information you would not want stored.

Use this AI meta.ai · opens the official site

8. Grok

by xAI · Chatbots

Grok by xAI, a free AI tool for chatbots

Best forReal-time topics and conversations happening on X

Free planFree chat and voice on the web, in its app and on X, with usage limits that can change

Grok is the AI assistant from xAI, available as its own app and website and built into X (formerly Twitter). It can search the web and posts on X, which makes it useful for seeing what people are saying about a topic right now.

Like other chatbots, it can write, summarize, answer questions and create images.

What you can do with Grok for free

  • See what people are saying about trending topics
  • Summarize long X threads
  • General writing and questions

Good to know: Free use is capped and the limit can change with demand. The strongest image and video tools and the newest models are mostly on paid plans. Posts on social media are not always reliable, so check important information against trusted sources.

Use this AI grok.com · opens the official site

9. Le Chat

by Mistral AI · Chatbots

Le Chat by Mistral AI, a free AI tool for chatbots

Best forA fast, privacy-minded European alternative

Free planFree plan with chat, web search, document uploads and image generation, with limits

Le Chat is the assistant from Mistral AI, a French company known for efficient AI models, several of which are openly released. It is fast, supports many languages well and offers web search, document analysis and image generation.

Some people choose it as a European alternative to U.S. chatbots.

What you can do with Le Chat for free

  • Translate and write in European languages
  • Quick answers and summaries
  • Analyze uploaded documents

Good to know: Check the privacy settings to control whether conversations can be used for training.

Use this AI chat.mistral.ai · opens the official site

Best free AI for research and study

10. Gemini Notebook

by Google · Research

Gemini Notebook by Google, a free AI tool for research

Best forStudents and researchers studying their own documents

Free planFree with a Google account, with a usage allowance that refreshes every five hours up to a weekly cap

Gemini Notebook, called NotebookLM until Google renamed it in July 2026, is Google's AI research notebook. You add your own sources, such as PDFs, Google Docs, websites, YouTube videos or pasted text, and the AI answers questions using only those sources, with citations back to the exact passage.

It can also turn your material into study guides, briefing documents, mind maps, flashcards and even podcast-style "audio overviews" where two AI voices discuss your sources. That makes it one of the most useful free AI tools for studying.

What you can do with Gemini Notebook for free

  • Turn lecture notes into a study guide and quiz
  • Ask questions across many research papers
  • Listen to an audio summary of a report on your commute

Good to know: Answers are grounded in your sources, which reduces made-up facts, but it can still misunderstand. Click the citations to check.

Use this AI notebooklm.google.com · opens the official site

11. Google AI Studio

by Google · Research

Google AI Studio by Google, a free AI tool for research

Best forTrying Google's newest AI models and building simple AI apps

Free planFree to use in the browser with a Google account, with rate limits

Google AI Studio is Google's free playground for developers and curious users. It gives direct access to Google's latest Gemini models, often before they reach the regular Gemini app, with controls for longer documents, video and audio input.

You can test prompts, analyze large files, try real-time voice and video conversations, and generate a free API key to build your own apps.

What you can do with Google AI Studio for free

  • Test new AI models early
  • Analyze very long documents or videos
  • Prototype an AI app and get an API key

Good to know: The interface is aimed at developers. Data use rules can differ from consumer apps, so read the terms before uploading sensitive files.

Use this AI aistudio.google.com · opens the official site

Best free AI writing and language tools

12. Grammarly

by Grammarly · Writing

Grammarly by Grammarly, a free AI tool for writing

Best forFixing grammar, spelling and clarity everywhere you write

Free planFree grammar, spelling and punctuation checks, plus a limited number of AI writing prompts

Grammarly checks your writing as you type in your browser, email, documents and many apps. The free version catches grammar, spelling and punctuation mistakes and suggests clearer wording.

It also includes AI features that can rewrite a sentence, adjust tone or draft a quick reply, with a limited allowance on the free plan.

What you can do with Grammarly for free

  • Catch typos before you send an email
  • Make writing clearer and more concise
  • Adjust tone to sound more professional or friendly

Good to know: Advanced suggestions such as full-sentence rewrites for style are mostly on paid plans.

Use this AI grammarly.com · opens the official site

13. QuillBot

by QuillBot · Writing

QuillBot by QuillBot, a free AI tool for writing

Best forParaphrasing, summarizing and checking grammar

Free planFree paraphraser, grammar checker, summarizer and citation generator with word limits

QuillBot offers a set of simple writing tools in one place. Its best-known tool is the paraphraser, which rewrites a sentence or paragraph in different ways so you can find clearer wording.

The free plan also includes a grammar checker, a summarizer, a translator and a citation generator, which makes it popular with students.

What you can do with QuillBot for free

  • Rephrase an awkward paragraph
  • Summarize an article into key points
  • Create citations for school papers

Good to know: Paraphrasing other people's work does not make it yours. Follow your school's or employer's rules on AI use and always cite sources.

Use this AI quillbot.com · opens the official site

14. DeepL

by DeepL · Writing

DeepL by DeepL, a free AI tool for writing

Best forNatural-sounding translations

Free planFree text translation with character limits, plus limited document translations

DeepL is an AI translator known for translations that sound natural rather than word-for-word. It supports dozens of languages and lets you choose alternative words and formal or informal tone for some languages.

DeepL Write, its companion tool, also helps improve wording in your own language.

What you can do with DeepL for free

  • Translate emails and messages
  • Read foreign-language articles
  • Polish writing in a second language

Good to know: Free-plan text may be used to improve the service. Use the paid plan for confidential business documents.

Use this AI deepl.com · opens the official site

Best free AI image and design tools

15. Canva

by Canva · Images

Canva by Canva, a free AI tool for images

Best forSocial media graphics, flyers and presentations with AI help

Free planFree design tool with a limited number of AI image generations and other AI features

Canva is an easy online design tool with thousands of templates, and its AI features make it even faster. You can generate images from a description, write text with AI, resize designs and get help laying out presentations.

For small businesses and creators, Canva is often the quickest way to turn an idea into a finished social post, thumbnail or flyer.

What you can do with Canva for free

  • Create social media posts and YouTube thumbnails
  • Generate images for a presentation
  • Design flyers, menus and invitations

Good to know: Many premium templates, photos and some AI tools require Canva Pro. Check the license before using designs commercially.

Use this AI canva.com · opens the official site

16. Adobe Firefly

by Adobe · Images

Adobe Firefly by Adobe, a free AI tool for images

Best forImages designed to be safe for commercial use

Free planFree account with a limited number of daily generations for images, video and audio on selected models, which reset each day

Adobe Firefly is Adobe's family of AI image tools. You can create images from text, fill or remove parts of a photo, expand an image beyond its edges and generate text effects.

Adobe says its own Firefly models were trained on licensed content and public domain material, which matters to businesses worried about copyright.

What you can do with Adobe Firefly for free

  • Create images for marketing materials
  • Remove or replace objects in photos
  • Extend a photo to fit a different size

Good to know: Adobe does not publish the exact number of free daily generations and says it can change, so heavy use runs out quickly. Free accounts can run only one generation at a time. Firefly also connects to Photoshop and Adobe Express.

Use this AI firefly.adobe.com · opens the official site

17. Ideogram

by Ideogram · Images

Ideogram by Ideogram, a free AI tool for images

Best forImages that include readable text, like posters and logos

Free planFree account with a small weekly allowance of credits if you sign in with Google, Apple or Microsoft

Ideogram is an AI image generator that stands out for placing clear, correctly spelled text inside images. That makes it handy for posters, social graphics, T-shirt designs and logo ideas, where many other generators struggle with lettering.

You type a description, choose a style and aspect ratio, and it creates several options to choose from.

What you can do with Ideogram for free

  • Design posters and event graphics with text
  • Brainstorm logo and T-shirt ideas
  • Create eye-catching social media images

Good to know: Ideogram's pricing table no longer shows a Free column, but its help center still says free accounts that sign in with Google, Apple or Microsoft get weekly credits. Accounts created with an email and password do not get free credits, and the allowance can change, so confirm it when you sign up. On the free plan, images you create are generally public. Do not use other brands' logos or trademarks in your designs.

Use this AI ideogram.ai · opens the official site

18. Leonardo.Ai

by Canva · Images

Leonardo.Ai by Canva, a free AI tool for images

Best forArtistic images, game art and consistent styles

Free planFree plan with a daily allowance of tokens for image generation

Leonardo.Ai is an image generator popular with artists, game designers and content creators. It offers many styles and models, plus tools to keep characters and styles consistent across several images.

It also includes image editing tools and short video generation from images.

What you can do with Leonardo.Ai for free

  • Create concept art and illustrations
  • Generate a consistent character across scenes
  • Make backgrounds for videos and games

Good to know: Free-plan images are usually public, and daily tokens reset each day.

Use this AI leonardo.ai · opens the official site

19. Microsoft Designer

by Microsoft · Images

Microsoft Designer by Microsoft, a free AI tool for images

Best forQuick social posts, cards and background removal

Free planFree with a Microsoft account, including AI image creation and photo edits such as background removal, with usage limits

Microsoft Designer turns a short text description into images, social media posts, greeting cards, invitations, banners and stickers. You can also upload your own photos and edit them with AI.

Its editing tools can remove or blur a background, erase unwanted objects and upscale images, which makes it a handy free option for clean product photos and profile pictures.

What you can do with Microsoft Designer for free

  • Remove the background from a product photo or headshot
  • Create a social media post or invitation from a short description
  • Erase unwanted objects from a photo

Good to know: Designer is licensed for personal, non-commercial use, and heavy users may need a subscription to create more often. Text inside AI images can contain spelling mistakes, so check it before you post. We replaced remove.bg on this list because its standalone website closes on December 1, 2026, with background removal moving into Canva.

Use this AI designer.microsoft.com · opens the official site

Best free AI video, voice and audio tools

20. CapCut

by ByteDance · Video & audio

CapCut by ByteDance, a free AI tool for video & audio

Best forEditing short videos for TikTok, Reels and Shorts

Free planFree video editor with many AI features; some advanced tools and assets require Pro

CapCut is a video editor for phones, computers and the web, made by the company behind TikTok. Its AI features automatically add captions, remove backgrounds, cut silences, suggest edits and apply effects.

For creators making short-form videos, it offers a lot of power without needing professional editing skills.

What you can do with CapCut for free

  • Add automatic captions to videos
  • Turn long videos into short clips
  • Remove video backgrounds without a green screen

Good to know: Some effects, templates and AI tools are Pro-only, and terms for commercial use vary. Read the terms before using it for client work.

Use this AI capcut.com · opens the official site

21. Kling AI

by Kuaishou · Video & audio

Kling AI by Kuaishou, a free AI tool for video & audio

Best forTurning text or photos into short AI video clips

Free planFree Basic plan with a monthly batch of credits you claim when you log in, for watermarked video and image generation below 1080p

Kling AI creates short video clips from a text description or brings a still image to life. It is one of the more capable AI video tools that still has a free plan.

Creators use it for B-roll, social media clips and creative experiments.

What you can do with Kling AI for free

  • Animate a still photo
  • Create short B-roll clips for videos
  • Experiment with AI video ideas

Good to know: Daily bonus credits are now a perk for paid members; free accounts get monthly credits that expire after about 31 days, and Kling does not publish the exact amount. Free videos carry a Kling watermark, are not licensed for commercial use and can wait in a queue at busy times. Label realistic AI video clearly when you publish it.

Use this AI klingai.com · opens the official site

22. ElevenLabs

by ElevenLabs · Video & audio

ElevenLabs by ElevenLabs, a free AI tool for video & audio

Best forRealistic AI voiceovers and text to speech

Free planFree plan with a monthly allowance of characters for text to speech

ElevenLabs turns written text into very natural-sounding speech in many voices and languages. It is widely used for video voiceovers, audiobooks, podcasts and accessibility.

It also offers sound effects, dubbing into other languages and speech-to-text transcription.

What you can do with ElevenLabs for free

  • Create voiceovers for YouTube videos
  • Listen to articles read aloud
  • Make sound effects for videos

Good to know: Free-plan audio generally requires attribution and is not licensed for commercial use. Never clone a real person's voice without their permission.

Use this AI elevenlabs.io · opens the official site

23. Otter.ai

by Otter.ai · Video & audio

Otter.ai by Otter.ai, a free AI tool for video & audio

Best forMeeting notes and transcripts

Free planFree plan with a monthly cap on transcription minutes and conversation length

Otter.ai records and transcribes meetings, lectures and interviews in real time, then creates a summary with action items. It can join Zoom, Google Meet and Microsoft Teams calls automatically.

You can search transcripts later and ask the AI questions about what was said.

What you can do with Otter.ai for free

  • Get automatic notes from online meetings
  • Transcribe lectures and interviews
  • Search what was said in past calls

Good to know: Tell people when you are recording, and follow the laws in your state, some of which require everyone's consent.

Use this AI otter.ai · opens the official site

Best free AI for presentations and productivity

24. Gamma

by Gamma · Productivity

Gamma by Gamma, a free AI tool for productivity

Best forCreating presentations, documents and simple web pages fast

Free planFree plan with a starting allowance of AI credits

Gamma creates a full presentation from a short prompt or an outline. It writes the slides, picks a layout and adds images, and you can then edit everything by clicking or by asking the AI for changes.

It can also make documents and simple one-page websites, and export to PowerPoint or PDF.

What you can do with Gamma for free

  • Turn notes into a slide deck in minutes
  • Create a pitch deck draft
  • Build a simple one-page site

Good to know: Free-plan presentations include Gamma branding, and credits are limited. Always check AI-written facts on your slides.

Use this AI gamma.app · opens the official site

25. Zapier

by Zapier · Productivity

Zapier by Zapier, a free AI tool for productivity

Best forAutomating repetitive tasks between apps, with AI steps

Free planFree plan for simple automations with a monthly task limit

Zapier connects thousands of apps so work moves between them automatically. For example, a new form entry can be added to a spreadsheet and trigger an email, without you lifting a finger.

Its AI features let you describe an automation in plain English and add AI steps that summarize, sort or draft text inside a workflow.

What you can do with Zapier for free

  • Save email attachments to cloud storage automatically
  • Send new leads to a spreadsheet and your phone
  • Summarize form responses with AI

Good to know: Multi-step workflows and higher task volumes require a paid plan. See our guide to automating repetitive tasks.

Use this AI zapier.com · opens the official site

Best free AI coding and website builders

26. GitHub Copilot

by GitHub (Microsoft) · Coding

GitHub Copilot by GitHub (Microsoft), a free AI tool for coding

Best forCode suggestions and chat inside your code editor

Free planFree plan for individual developers with monthly limits on code completions and chat

GitHub Copilot suggests code as you type in editors such as Visual Studio Code and JetBrains IDEs, and lets you chat about your code to explain, fix or write it.

The free plan gives individual developers a monthly allowance of completions and chat messages, which is enough to learn and to help with small projects.

What you can do with GitHub Copilot for free

  • Autocomplete repetitive code
  • Explain unfamiliar code
  • Write tests and fix bugs

Good to know: Verified students, teachers and maintainers of popular open-source projects may qualify for more access. Review AI-written code carefully for errors and security issues.

Use this AI github.com · opens the official site

27. Cursor

by Anysphere · Coding

Cursor by Anysphere, a free AI tool for coding

Best forAn AI-first code editor for building whole features

Free planFree plan with limited Agent, chat and Tab completion use on Cursor's own models

Cursor is a code editor built around AI. It is based on Visual Studio Code, so it feels familiar, but you can ask it to make changes across many files, explain a codebase or build a feature from a description.

It is popular with professional developers and people learning to build software with AI help.

What you can do with Cursor for free

  • Build features from a plain-English description
  • Ask questions about a large codebase
  • Refactor code across many files

Good to know: The free plan runs out quickly with heavy use. Keep backups and use version control such as Git.

Use this AI cursor.com · opens the official site

28. Bolt

by StackBlitz · Coding

Bolt by StackBlitz, a free AI tool for coding

Best forBuilding and publishing web apps in the browser with an AI agent

Free planFree plan with 1 million AI tokens a month (up to 300,000 a day), public and private projects and website hosting

Bolt (bolt.new) builds websites and full-stack web apps from a chat in your browser, with no setup. Describe what you want and it writes the code, runs a live preview and lets you keep improving the app by chatting.

It is a good way for beginners and founders to turn an idea into a working prototype and put it online.

What you can do with Bolt for free

  • Build a simple web app from a description
  • Prototype an idea without installing anything
  • Publish a small website with a shareable link

Good to know: Free tokens do not roll over, and sites built on the free plan show Bolt branding. Bigger projects use tokens quickly, so a paid plan is needed for heavy use.

Use this AI bolt.new · opens the official site

29. Lovable

by Lovable · Coding

Lovable by Lovable, a free AI tool for coding

Best forCreating websites and web apps by chatting, without coding

Free planFree plan with a small daily allowance of AI messages

Lovable builds websites and web apps from a conversation. Describe what you want, such as a booking page or a simple dashboard, and it creates the design and code, which you can refine by chatting.

It is aimed at founders, designers and non-programmers who want to launch something quickly.

What you can do with Lovable for free

  • Create a landing page for a business idea
  • Build a simple internal tool
  • Prototype an app before hiring developers

Good to know: Complex apps still need technical knowledge to maintain. Read our guide on writing a landing page that converts.

Use this AI lovable.dev · opens the official site

30. Hugging Face

by Hugging Face · Coding

Hugging Face by Hugging Face, a free AI tool for coding

Best forTrying thousands of open-source AI models for free

Free planFree account with access to many public AI demos (Spaces), with usage limits

Hugging Face is the largest community hub for open AI models. Its "Spaces" section hosts thousands of free demos where you can try AI tools for images, audio, translation, text and more directly in your browser.

It is a great place to explore what open-source AI can do and to find specialized tools that big companies do not offer.

What you can do with Hugging Face for free

  • Try new open-source AI models
  • Find niche tools like music separation or OCR
  • Run AI demos without installing anything

Good to know: Spaces are made by different people and organizations, so quality and privacy vary. Avoid uploading sensitive files to unknown demos.

Use this AI huggingface.co · opens the official site

How to get the most from free AI tools

  1. Start with one chatbot. Learn one general assistant well before adding more tools. Our guide on how to choose an AI chatbot helps you compare them.
  2. Write better prompts. Clear instructions, examples and context make free models far more useful. Read how to write better AI prompts or try our AI prompt generator.
  3. Check facts. AI can sound confident and still be wrong. See AI hallucinations explained.
  4. Protect your privacy. Never paste passwords, ID numbers or private client data. Read what not to share with AI chatbots.
  5. Mix free plans. When one tool hits its daily limit, another often has room. Different tools are also better at different jobs.
  6. Pay only when it saves real time. Upgrade when you hit limits on work that matters, and review subscriptions regularly. See how to evaluate an AI tool.

Free AI tools: frequently asked questions

Are free AI tools really free?

Yes, every tool on this list has a free plan you can use without paying. Most free plans have limits, such as a number of messages, images or credits per day or month, and some features are only available on paid plans. You do not need a credit card to start with most of them.

What is the best free AI tool?

For most people, a general AI chatbot such as ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Claude or Microsoft Copilot is the most useful free AI tool, because it can help with writing, research, planning and learning. For specific jobs, a specialized tool usually works better, such as Gemini Notebook (formerly NotebookLM) for studying, Canva for design or Otter.ai for meeting notes.

What is the best free AI tool like ChatGPT?

Google Gemini, Claude, Microsoft Copilot, Perplexity, DeepSeek, Meta AI, Grok and Le Chat all offer free chatbots similar to ChatGPT. Perplexity is best if you want sources for every answer, Gemini if you use Google apps, and Claude for long documents and careful writing.

What are the best free AI tools for students?

Gemini Notebook (formerly NotebookLM) for studying your own notes, ChatGPT or Claude for explanations, Perplexity for research with citations, QuillBot and Grammarly for writing, and Gamma for presentations. Always follow your school's rules on AI use.

Can I use free AI tools for my business?

Often yes, but check each tool's terms. Some free plans do not allow commercial use, add watermarks or require attribution. Never paste confidential customer or company information into a free AI tool without checking its privacy terms.

Are free AI tools safe?

Tools from well-known companies are generally safe to use, but free plans may use your conversations to improve their AI. Do not share passwords, ID numbers, financial account details or private information. Read our guide on what not to share with AI chatbots.

Can I trust what AI tools tell me?

Not completely. AI tools can make mistakes or invent facts. Check important information, especially about health, money or law, against trusted sources.

More AI guides from GrowthPi

GrowthPi is independent and is not affiliated with the companies listed. Product names are trademarks of their owners and are used only to identify the products. We do not receive payment for placement on this list. Free-plan features and limits are set by each company and can change at any time.