In this guide, I’ll break down the top 10 AI apps and websites, highlighting both free and paid options. I’ll also provide insights into what makes each one stand out, based on my hands-on experience with these tools.
Most Popular AI Apps and Sites In 2024
Whether you're a creative professional, a student, or simply curious about AI, these apps offer powerful solutions that enhance efficiency and creativity. Here are the top 10 most popular AI apps and websites in 2024:
1. ChatGPT: Best AI app overall
2. Google Gemini: Best for multi-modal tasks integrating text and images
3. Claude AI: Best for creative writing and content collaboration
4. Midjourney: Best for creating AI-generated art
5. CapCut: Best for AI-powered video editing
6. Perplexity.ai: Best for fast and precise AI-driven search
7. Character.ai: Best for AI-driven storytelling and interaction
8. Microsoft Copilot: Best for boosting productivity within Microsoft Office
9. QuillBot: Best for paraphrasing and improving written content
10. DeepL: Best for highly accurate AI translations
I explored these AI tools, analyzing their strengths, unique features, and real-world applications.
Here’s an in-depth review of the top 10 AI apps and websites:
1. ChatGPT
- Best for: Conversational AI and content generation
- App availability: Available on web, iOS, and Android apps
- Free version: Yes, provides access to the GPT-3.5 model with basic functionalities
ChatGPT remains the most well-known conversational AI, thanks to its ability to assist with a wide range of tasks, including writing, answering questions, and even coding. Its versatility makes it useful for anyone from casual users to business professionals.
ChatGPT, built on OpenAI’s GPT-4 architecture, is arguably the most well-rounded conversational AI available today. I used ChatGPT for various tasks, including content creation, answering technical questions, and brainstorming ideas, and it performed at a high level in all instances.
One of its standout features is its ability to remember past conversations, allowing for seamless and context-rich dialogue. Whether you're looking for help with writing, generating code snippets, or simply having a conversation, ChatGPT excels across the board.
Why I chose it: Its versatility and strong conversational abilities make ChatGPT a go-to for users seeking everything from casual conversation to professional-level writing assistance.
What can you do for free? ChatGPT offers both free and paid versions. The free version provides access to the GPT-3.5 model, which is great for basic tasks like answering questions, writing, and brainstorming. However, the paid version, ChatGPT Plus, costs $20 per month and unlocks access to the more powerful GPT-4 model. GPT-4 is more accurate, faster, and better at understanding complex queries. The paid version also includes priority access during high-traffic times, ensuring faster response times and more reliable performance.
2. Google Gemini
- Best for: Multi-modal tasks integrating text and images
- App availability: Accessible through web and integrated with Google services
- Free version: Expected to offer a free version, but details may vary as it's still new
Google Gemini pushes the boundaries by blending natural language processing with visual analysis, making it ideal for users who need an AI that can handle diverse tasks like image recognition and text understanding.
Google Gemini, an evolution of Google’s AI capabilities, is a powerful tool that combines natural language understanding with image recognition.
I tested Gemini for both text and image-based tasks, and it was especially effective when handling tasks that required multiple modalities, such as describing an image in detail or integrating visual data with text.
Why I chose it: Its multi-modal approach to AI makes it ideal for users who need a tool capable of handling both visual and textual data.
What can you do for free? Google Gemini is expected to offer both free and paid options, though exact details may vary as it's a new service. Typically, Google AI tools like Google Bard or Google Cloud's AI services provide basic functionality for free, with premium tiers offering advanced features. Paid versions will likely provide higher limits for tasks, priority access to features like multi-modal capabilities, and integrations with Google's broader ecosystem, including more API access for developers and businesses.
3. Claude AI
- Best for: Creative writing and real-time collaborative content creation
- App availability: Available on web, integrated with third-party platforms
- Free version: Yes, offers basic content generation capabilities with limited usage
Claude AI is a cutting-edge tool designed to assist with creative writing, content generation, and real-time collaboration. What sets Claude AI apart is its ability to not only generate high-quality written content but also actively collaborate with users throughout the writing process.
Claude AI's standout feature was the real-time co-writing functionality. It can take user input, suggest improvements, and even refine drafts on the go, offering a level of collaboration that feels intuitive and natural. The AI adapts well to various writing styles, ensuring that the final output aligns with your voice and intent, whether you’re drafting a blog post, a marketing pitch, or a creative story.
Why I chose it: Claude AI is perfect for creative professionals and teams who want to boost productivity and collaborate on writing projects.
What can you do for free? Claude AI provides both free access and paid plans. The free tier is suitable for generating basic content, offering limited usage and functionalities. The paid version, Claude Pro, enhances the AI’s ability to handle more complex tasks, such as longer texts and more refined collaborative writing features. The paid plan also includes more extensive usage limits, priority support, and the ability to integrate Claude AI into professional workflows, which makes it an excellent choice for businesses and content creators.
4. Midjourney
- Best for: AI-generated art creation
- App availability: Accessible via web and Discord
- Free version: Free trial available, but mostly operates on a subscription model
Midjourney allows users to generate stunning visuals from text prompts, offering a tool that empowers artists, designers, and anyone looking to explore digital art through AI.
Midjourney has become the go-to AI for generating digital artwork. I tried it with various text prompts and the quality and creativity of the images were impressive, rivaling professional design tools. It’s an excellent platform for designers, artists, or hobbyists looking to create visually stunning pieces of art with minimal effort.
Why I chose it: It’s one of the most intuitive AI art generators, making high-quality digital art creation accessible to everyone.
What can you do for free? Midjourney operates primarily on a subscription model, and while it offers a free trial, access is limited without a paid plan. The paid subscriptions, starting at $10 per month, unlock more powerful rendering options, faster generation speeds, and increased image generation limits. Paid users also gain access to Midjourney’s community channels, where they can interact with other users, share creations, and participate in exclusive design challenges, making it a must-have for professionals in the creative industry.
5. CapCut
- Best for: AI-powered video editing
- App availability: Available on web, iOS, and Android apps
- Free version: Yes, includes basic editing tools and features
CapCut offers a suite of tools for video creators, with AI features that allow for automatic scene transitions, filters, and enhanced video editing, making professional-level video editing accessible for everyone.
CapCut provides an easy way to create polished videos, thanks to its AI-driven editing tools. Even those with no prior editing experience can create professional-grade videos using CapCut.
During my trial, I found its auto-editing features—like scene transitions, effects, and filters—particularly useful for streamlining the video editing process.
Why I chose it: Its AI-enhanced video editing tools offer a fast and efficient way to create professional-quality videos, perfect for creators of all levels.
What can you do for free? CapCut offers a robust free version that includes basic editing tools, AI-powered effects, and the ability to create high-quality videos. However, the paid version, known as CapCut Pro, introduces advanced features such as higher export resolutions, exclusive filters and transitions, and access to a larger library of music and effects. The Pro version also removes watermarks from edited videos and provides enhanced AI tools for more detailed video editing, making it ideal for professional content creators and influencers.
6. Perplexity.ai
- Best for: AI-powered, context-driven search engine
- App availability: Available on web
- Free version: Yes, fully free to use with no paid version currently
Perplexity.ai focuses on directly answering questions by understanding the deeper context behind each query. This results in more accurate, relevant, and concise responses, saving users valuable time by cutting through the noise typically associated with web searches.
Instead of relying on keyword matching, the AI processes the meaning behind the question, leading to more relevant and nuanced answers.
During my tests, Perplexity.ai was consistently able to tackle complex, multi-layered questions. Whether it was explaining intricate concepts, summarizing large amounts of information, or providing clear guidance on specific topics, the AI delivered detailed, tailored responses with impressive speed.
Why I chose it: Its fast and contextually accurate responses make it the best choice for users looking for precise information quickly.
What can you do for free? Perplexity.ai is free to use, making it accessible for anyone looking for fast, AI-powered search results. As of now, there is no paid version, and all users have access to the full range of search functionalities, including its contextual understanding of queries and real-time, concise responses. If a premium tier is introduced in the future, it could likely offer features like faster response times, enhanced API access for developers, or higher limits for professional use cases.
7. Character.ai
- Best for: AI-driven interactive storytelling and character creation
- App availability: Available on web, iOS, and Android apps
- Free version: Yes, but has a paid subscription option for premium features
Character.ai creates immersive interactions by allowing users to create and converse with AI characters. It’s an innovative tool for storytellers, gamers, and those who love interactive, creative conversations.
Character.ai is an innovative tool that allows users to create and interact with AI characters. It’s a unique blend of AI and creativity, making it perfect for interactive storytelling or just casual fun.
I created a few characters of my own and found the interactions to be surprisingly lifelike and engaging.
Why I chose it: The combination of creativity and interactivity makes it ideal for users who want to create immersive experiences.
What can you do for free? Character.ai is free to use with basic features that allow users to create and interact with AI characters. However, the platform has recently introduced a paid subscription called Character.ai+ for $9.99 per month. The paid version includes faster response times, early access to new features, and priority access during peak usage periods. For users who engage heavily in storytelling or interactive experiences, the paid tier enhances the overall user experience by reducing lag and offering more sophisticated interactions with AI characters.
8. Microsoft Copilot
- Best for: Boosting productivity in Microsoft Office tools
- App availability: Available with Microsoft Office 365 applications (Word, Excel, etc.)
- Free version: Free trial available, but full features available through paid subscription
Integrated into Microsoft Office products like Word and Excel, Microsoft Copilot offers AI-driven support that helps users write, analyze, and manage data more efficiently.
Microsoft Copilot integrates directly into Microsoft Office, offering AI-powered assistance with writing, data analysis, and presentations. In my tests, Copilot was especially useful for automating repetitive tasks like summarizing long documents or generating quick insights from data.
Why I chose it: It seamlessly boosts productivity within familiar tools like Word and Excel, making it invaluable for professionals who rely on Microsoft Office.
What can you do for free? Microsoft Copilot is part of Microsoft 365, so it's available through a paid subscription, though some users can access limited features through a free trial. The paid version, included with premium Microsoft 365 plans, offers enhanced AI-powered features such as smart document drafting, real-time data analysis in Excel, and advanced email composition in Outlook. These premium features automate complex tasks, making Copilot a powerful tool for professionals looking to boost productivity and streamline workflows within the Microsoft Office suite.
9. QuillBot
- Best for: Paraphrasing, summarizing, and improving written content
- App availability: Available on web and as a Chrome extension
- Free version: Yes, offers basic paraphrasing and grammar checking
QuillBot is an AI-powered writing tool that assists with paraphrasing, grammar correction, and enhancing the overall quality of your content, making it invaluable for writers, students, and professionals alike.
QuillBot’s AI is designed to assist with writing tasks like paraphrasing, summarizing, and grammar checking. Whether you're working on an academic paper or a marketing copy, QuillBot’s AI-driven tools can help refine your writing.
Why I chose it: Its ability to enhance the quality of writing quickly and effectively makes it a top choice for writers of all kinds.
What can you do for free? QuillBot offers both a free and paid version. The free plan allows users to access basic paraphrasing, summarizing, and grammar-checking tools, but is limited in terms of word count and the number of modes available. The premium version, priced at $9.95 per month, expands these limits significantly and offers access to advanced features such as increased word limits, access to all writing modes (like formal or creative), and a plagiarism checker. Premium users also benefit from faster processing times and a higher degree of customization for their content.
10. DeepL
- Best for: AI-powered translations with high accuracy
- App availability: Desktop apps for Windows, macOS; mobile apps for iOS, Android
- Free version: Yes, offers basic translation features with limited character usage
DeepL is recognized for its industry-leading AI translations, providing accurate and nuanced translations that go beyond basic word-to-word conversion, making it a favorite for businesses and travelers.
DeepL is an AI-powered translation tool known for its superior accuracy compared to competitors like Google Translate. I tested it with several languages and it was able to capture the nuances of each language while maintaining context. This makes it a useful tool for businesses, travelers, and linguists alike.
Why I chose it: DeepL provides the accurate AI translations, making it a useful tool for anyone needing reliable translations.
What can you do for free? DeepL offers a free version that provides highly accurate translations for up to a certain character limit. For more extensive use, the paid version, DeepL Pro, unlocks unlimited translation capabilities and includes additional features such as document translation, enhanced privacy protections (no data storage), and faster translation speeds. DeepL Pro is available through several pricing tiers, depending on individual or business needs, with advanced options designed for professionals who need precise, large-scale translations on a regular basis.
AI, Your Way
In 2024, AI technology has proven to be more than just a buzzword—it’s an essential tool that enhances creativity, boosts productivity, and simplifies complex tasks across various industries. The top 10 AI apps and websites I've reviewed represent the forefront of innovation, offering solutions that cater to a wide range of users, from professionals to hobbyists.
What unites these tools is their ability to seamlessly integrate AI into everyday tasks, making them more efficient, creative, and accessible. As AI continues to evolve, these apps and websites are at the cutting edge, empowering users to unlock new possibilities and push the boundaries of what’s possible with technology. Whether you're a creative professional, a student, or someone simply looking to explore the world of AI, these platforms provide invaluable resources to enhance your workflow and spark new ideas.
