Tools directory

AI tools, reviewed in plain English

We've tested them so you don't have to. Honest verdicts — written for people who just want something that works.

We only recommend tools we genuinely believe in. Affiliate relationships are disclosed clearly on every card.

Our top pick for beginners

Gemini

by Google

Our pick for beginners Free

Google's AI assistant — if you already have a Gmail address, you're ready to use it right now. No new account, no downloads. For anyone new to AI, that familiarity is genuinely valuable.

What we like

✓ Works with your existing Google account
✓ Built into Gmail, Docs, and Android
✓ Very simple, clean interface
✓ Can search the web for current info
✓ Completely free to get started

Worth knowing

– Occasional errors on complex topics
– Some features need a paid plan
– Needs an internet connection

Our verdict

If you're brand new to AI and want to start with something familiar and safe, Gemini is our first recommendation. Start here.

Also excellent — our thoughtful alternative

Claude

by Anthropic

Most honest Free

Made by Anthropic, a company founded specifically to build safe and honest AI. Claude is more upfront about what it doesn't know, less likely to confidently state something wrong, and writes in a particularly warm tone. It's the one we use ourselves most often.

What we like

✓ Very honest — admits when it's unsure
✓ Warm, natural conversational tone
✓ Excellent at writing and editing
✓ Built by a safety-focused company

Worth knowing

– Requires a new account signup
– Doesn't always search the web
– Less well-known than ChatGPT

Our verdict

If you care about honest, careful answers — especially for health questions or big decisions — Claude is worth the extra two minutes to sign up. Once you're comfortable with Gemini, try Claude next.

Other tools worth knowing

ChatGPT

by OpenAI

Most well-known

The AI tool you've probably heard most about. It's capable and genuinely useful, with a large community online. We don't lead with it because Gemini requires one fewer sign-up for most people, and Claude tends to be more careful with its answers. But if you've already started with ChatGPT and you're happy, there's no need to switch.

Perplexity

by Perplexity AI

Always cites sources

Like a search engine and AI combined. Every answer includes links to the sources it drew from — which makes it much easier to verify what it tells you. For anyone worried about AI making things up, this transparency is reassuring. Great as a second tool once you're comfortable with Gemini.

Affiliate disclosure: Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you sign up for a paid plan through our link, we earn a small commission — at no extra cost to you. This never influences which tools we recommend or what we say about them. We only list tools we have tested ourselves and would genuinely suggest to a friend.