Beyond ChatGPT: Free Generative AI Tools You Should Be Using Right Now

By now, you’ve likely had a chat (or fifty) with ChatGPT. And while it’s arguably the most well-known generative AI tool out there, it’s far from the only player in the game.

Whether you’re crafting visuals, whipping up audio tracks, generating code, or creating content—there’s a whole world of free generative AI software waiting for you.

Let’s explore some of the best AI tools out there that aren’t ChatGPT. Bonus: most of them are free to use or offer generous free plans—so you can test them out without investing a cent.

1. Claude by Anthropic

Best for: Thoughtful long-form writing, summarization, and ethical AI interactions

Why it's worth trying: Claude is the brainchild of Anthropic, designed to be a more “harmless” AI model that’s easy to have long, productive conversations with. Its tone is generally more balanced and less “robotic” than some alternatives. Claude is especially strong at summarizing documents and maintaining context over longer conversations.

Personally, I've found that Claude's writing reads more human than ChatGPT's, which makes it my go-to for blog writing and my 'make this email sound professional' prompts.

Free version available? Yes – you can try Claude for free on claude.ai.

2. Perplexity AI

Best for: Research, citations, and factual queries

Why it's worth trying: Perplexity feels like the lovechild of ChatGPT and Google. It's an AI-powered search engine that answers questions conversationally while linking directly to its sources. If you’re tired of hallucinations and want verified information fast, this one’s for you.

Free version available? Yes – visit perplexity.ai and start asking away without an account.

3. Leonardo.Ai

Best for: Generating digital art, product mockups, and game assets

Why it's worth trying: Leonardo.Ai is one of the best AI image generators, with a user-friendly interface and a focus on creating polished, usable assets—think logos, character design, and concept art. It’s like Midjourney, but easier to use and built with creators in mind.

Free version available? Yes – with a limited number of daily image generations. leonardo.ai

4. Runway ML

Best for: AI video editing, motion graphics, and real-time green screen

Why it's worth trying: Runway ML is a creative powerhouse. You can erase backgrounds, generate videos from text, or use its suite of AI tools to edit content with minimal manual effort. It’s used by creators, YouTubers, and even filmmakers.

Free version available? Yes – limited free credits monthly. runwayml.com

5. ElevenLabs

Best for: Realistic voiceovers and speech synthesis

Why it's worth trying: Need to create a voiceover for your podcast, video, or presentation? ElevenLabs offers shockingly realistic AI voices—male, female, and regional accents included. You can even clone your own voice (yes, really).

Free version available?Yes – with limited voice generation per month. elevenlabs.io

6. Soundraw

Best for: Custom music tracks and background scores

Why it's worth trying: If you’ve ever spent hours searching for royalty-free music only to end up disappointed, Soundraw is a dream. You can customize the genre, mood, instruments, and length of your track—and the AI generates a fully original piece of music in seconds.

Free version available?Yes, with some download limits. soundraw.io

7. Notion AI

Best for: Productivity, note-taking, and task management

Why it's worth trying: Notion AI is built directly into the popular productivity app Notion. It helps you write better meeting notes, summarize content, generate ideas, and even auto-fill entire pages with outlines and to-dos. It’s ideal for professionals who want AI within their existing workflow.

Free version available? Notion has a free plan, but AI features require an upgrade—however, you can try it free for a limited time or via trial offers. notion.so

8. Poe by Quora

Best for: Accessing multiple AI models in one spot

Why it's worth trying: Poe lets you chat with various AI models including Claude, GPT-4, and even LLaMA, all in one interface. It’s useful if you’re trying to compare outputs across models or want variety in tone and expertise.

Free version available? Yes – some model access is limited unless you upgrade, but Claude and others are accessible for free. poe.com

9. Tome

Best for: AI-powered presentations and storytelling

Why it's worth trying: Need a slide deck in a pinch? Tome lets you type in your topic, and then it builds a full presentation—complete with text, layout, images, and suggested talking points. Great for pitches, product updates, and internal reports.

Free version available? Yes – basic features included in the free plan. tome.app

10. Canva Magic Studio

Best for: All-in-one visual content creation

Why it's worth trying: Canva has added powerful AI tools like Magic Write (text), Magic Design (auto-generate templates), and Magic Edit (manipulate photos with text prompts). It’s perfect for marketers, social media managers, and business owners who need great-looking content fast.

Free version available? Yes – Magic tools are included in the free tier with some limitations. canva.com

ChatGPT may have kicked off the generative AI craze, but it’s just the tip of the iceberg. Whether you’re designing visuals, writing code, narrating audio, or building entire presentations, there’s a free AI tool out there that can save you time and spark creativity.

So if you’ve only been chatting with one bot, try expanding your AI circle. These tools aren’t just cool: they’re a gateway to making your workflow faster, your content richer, and your life a little easier.