Which AI should I use?
There is no single “best AI”. Each one has a thing it does really well. The smart move is to pick the right one for each task, just like you would pick the right tool from a toolbox.
The main AI assistants and models
ChatGPT
Best for: Everyday all-round help
One app for chat, images, files and code. The easiest place to start.
The default all-rounder: chat, images, files and code in one app. Best first assistant for most beginners.
Claude
Best for: Writing, long documents and code
Careful reasoning and a calm, natural writing style. Handles long files well.
Anthropic's assistant for writing, analysis and code, now with decks, spreadsheets and scheduled tasks. A top pick for long documents and careful reasoning.
Gemini
Best for: Work inside Google apps
Built into Gmail, Docs and Drive, so it can help where your files already are.
Google's assistant, strongest if you live in Gmail, Docs and Drive.
Grok
Best for: Live news and trends
Real-time answers from the web and X, plus images and code.
Assistant with real-time answers from the web and X, plus images and code. Pick it if X is part of your research.
Perplexity
Best for: Research with sources
Every answer comes with citations you can click and check.
Answer engine with cited sources: the fastest way to research anything.
DeepSeek
Best for: Reasoning on a budget
Strong at step-by-step reasoning, cheap via API, and releases open models.
Chat assistant and API from DeepSeek, which also releases open models like DeepSeek-R1. Strong at reasoning and cheap via API; consider data-residency rules before sharing sensitive data.
Midjourney
Best for: Beautiful images and art
Very high visual quality for art, concepts and moodboards.
Highest aesthetic quality for art and concept images.
Runway
Best for: AI video
Text- and image-to-video plus editing tools used by real studios.
Best all-round generative video: text/image-to-video plus editing tools used by real studios.
Quick match: which AI for which task
| Task | Our picks | See more |
|---|---|---|
| ✍️ Writing | Claude, ChatGPT | writing tools |
| 💻 Coding | Claude, ChatGPT | vibe-coding tools |
| 🔎 Research | Perplexity, Gemini | research tools |
| 📄 Long documents | Claude, Gemini | summarise a long document |
| 🧠 Strategy & analysis | Claude, DeepSeek | data & analysis tools |
| 🎨 Images | Midjourney, ChatGPT | image tools |
| 🎬 Video | Runway | video tools |
| 📰 News & trends | Grok, Perplexity | research tools |
The takeaway: combine them
You don't have to choose just one. Many people use a main assistant like ChatGPT or Claude for everyday work, Perplexity when they need sources, and a specialist like Midjourney or Runway for visuals. Use each tool for what it is good at.
Browse more: AI assistants · writing · coding · research · images · video · step-by-step use cases such as writing better emails, summarising a long PDF and making a presentation.
FAQ
Which AI is best overall?
No single AI wins at everything. ChatGPT is the easiest all-rounder to start with, but Claude, Gemini, Perplexity and others are better at specific jobs.
Which AI is best for research?
Perplexity, because it shows sources for every answer. For live news and trends on X, try Grok.
Which AI is best for images and video?
Midjourney for artistic images and Runway for AI video. ChatGPT can also make images inside the same chat.
Should I pay for more than one AI?
Start with the free plans. Most people do well with one main assistant plus one specialist tool for the job they do most.