7 Best Free AI Tools for Content Creators

Creating content sounds simple, but reality shows that it is not.

First you need an idea, then research, outline, script, write, make graphics, edit and record a video, add captions, voice over, make a thumbnail, publish...and the second you finish, you need to come up with something else.

Does it sound familiar?

Lucky for you, there are now a number of tools that can help you in many of these repetitive and time-consuming tasks.

AI can assist you in coming up with new ideas, editing your writing, making graphics, video editing, researching, making voice-over, thumbnails and much more.

And you don’t need to be a tech genius to use them!

Some of these tools are not free, but if you want to start small, you can use the free versions of the tools listed below.

In this guide I will share with you 7 of the best free AI tools for content creators.

What to Look for in an AI Tool for Content Creators

Not all “free” tools are equal.

Some tools have generous free plans, while others will give you just a taste before trying to get money out of you. When evaluating these tools, I focused on the following 5 criteria:

• Free access: Does the tool offer a truly generous entry-level plan?
• Easy to use: Can the average person easily use the tool without a degree in computer science or graphic design?
• High quality output: Does the tool deliver high quality results that you would be proud to use?
• Time-saving potential: Can the tool help you save time?
• Versatile: Can this tool do multiple types of jobs?

It is important to keep in mind that most “free” tools have limitations. Most often, they use a system of credits or tokens or limit the functions available to the free user.

Now, let‘s check out these 7 AI tools for content creators.

1. ChatGPT – The Ultimate Tool for Writing Assistance, Ideas, Outlines & Planning

In my opinion, this tool is one of the most useful for content creators, as it can help you in various tasks, such as planning and writing.

Do you need an idea for your post this week? ChatGPT can give it to you. Need an outline for a long blog post? The tool will create it for you. If you are making a YouTube video, ChatGPT can help you come up with a concept, a hook, a script, a title and a description. Besides, you can use this tool to repurpose content. For example, you can turn one blog post into a LinkedIn post, several Instagram stories, a YouTube video, a script for a TikTok or Reels, or a list of articles.

Need some inspiration for a content plan for the month? ChatGPT can help you with that too.

Using the free version of ChatGPT, you will receive access to all the basic functions of the tool, including writing assistance, web search, file and image search, but the use will be limited and may vary over time.

Best for:

Writers, bloggers, YouTubers, and social media creators

Pros:

• Very versatile
• Easy to use as a beginner
• Excellent for brainstorming
• Versatile for planning and repurposing content

Cons:

• AI-generated writing requires human editing
• Possibly limited free options

Verdict:

If you were to invest in just one AI tool, it would be difficult to find a better starting point than ChatGPT. ChatGPT should be used as a brainstorming partner rather than a replacement for human writing.

2. Canva — Best for AI-Assisted Design

Canva is ideal for the creator who has an amazing concept for a graphic but does not necessarily have the design skills to bring it to life. With Canva, you can design Instagram posts, YouTube thumbnails, PowerPoint presentations, blog graphics, posters, video content, and much more. Using the templates within Canva, you do not need to be an expert designer to create stunning visuals.

Even more exciting is the fact that Canva has integrated some AI-powered features that can help their users in the design process. Based on your plan and your allowance, you can use Canva’s AI features to generate images, text, animations, voices, and more. Canva boasts that their AI tools are available to everyone, with only the advanced tools and increased allowances being available to Pro-Plan subscribers.

This versatility makes Canva ideal for someone who wants to generate different content types.

For example, if you have a blog post idea, you could use Canva to generate a Pinterest graphic, an Instagram carousel, a YouTube thumbnail, and a PowerPoint presentation from the same blog post.

Best for:

Creators who are not professional designers

Pros:

• Very beginner friendly
• Massive template library
• Designed for multiple content types
• Includes AI-assisted tools

Cons:

• Some tools require a paid plan
• AI tools have allowances for free users

Verdict:

Canva is one of the best applications for a beginner creator to turn a vague idea into a stunning graphic.

3. CapCut — Best for AI Video Editing

If you make Reels, TikToks, YouTube Shorts, or any other form of short-form video content, CapCut should be at the top of your list of video editing tools.

Video editing can be a frightening prospect for new creators. Most traditional video editors have a steep learning curve and can overwhelm new creators. You will not find this issue with CapCut. This beginner-friendly video editing tool allows you to trim and arrange your clips, add text and captions, and use AI-assisted tools to assist you in your video creation. Additionally, CapCut has AI-powered video generation and voice tools. Keep in mind that some tools are location–based and may not be available to all users.

For the creator focused on short-form output, that’s a huge plus. No need to waste precious hours on studying the intricacies of professional-grade video editors — just focus on the content, the hook, the story, and the message.

Best for:

Short-form video creators

Pros:

• Canva is incredibly convenient for creators that have to switch between different content types.
• Stunning templates
• Easy to use
• Good enough for social media video editing
• AI-assisted editing tools

Cons:

• Certain features are only available in specific regions or accounts
• Not all AI features are available in the free plan

Verdict:

CapCut is great for anyone looking to create amazing short-form video content without having to spend hours upon hours learning the ropes of a professional editor.

4. Perplexity — Best for Research

Time to switch gears a bit.

The point of creation and production tools is to help you get your message across more efficiently. Now, this could be writing, designing, or even video making — the main idea is to spend less time on the technical aspects and more time on the message itself.

However, sometimes the process of getting the message across is part of the struggle. The more educational, technical, news-oriented, or data-driven the content, the more research you have to do before even thinking about publishing.

This is where Perplexity comes in: an AI-powered search engine and research tool that allows you to conduct research in a whole new way. By asking questions in a conversational prompt, you can perform a search, follow up on the results, and expand on the information you found.

For example, instead of using multiple search engines to find information on a particular topic, you can ask a general question and follow up on the results until you find the statistics you need.

The tool has a free plan called “Standard” that has almost no limits to the number of searches you can make. However, certain advanced searches and features are only available in the Pro plan.

The critical word here is research. Do not just blindly use any AI generated information for your article. Open up the links provided and double check significant claims. Where possible, use your own sources of information as well.

Best for:

Bloggers, YouTubers, researchers, and educators

Pros:

• Fast research
• Contextual answers
• Conversationalist tone
• Exploration of knowledge

Cons:

• AI information requires fact checking
• Advanced features require an upgrade

Verdict:

Perplexity AI is one of your best investments if research slows you down when creating content.

5. Grammarly — Best for Editing & Proofreading

Grammarly is often wrongly considered an AI writing tool, but I want to suggest using this one in a different capacity.

Rather than trying to get an AI to do all of your writing for you, think of Grammarly as the next step in your editing and proofreading process.

After you write out a blog post, email, caption, script, or social media post, let Grammarly help you edit it. It can help you spot grammatical errors, suggest improved word choices, and even spot spelling mistakes. The free version of Grammarly provides excellent writing assistance and tone detection, while advanced rewriting suggestions and other features require upgrading to a premium account. As of now, the free version also includes 100 prompts for generative AI each month.

This is great for those who have existing content and a writing style but want one final pass before publishing

Best for:

Bloggers, freelance writers, social media

Pros:

• Simple to use
• Excellent for editing
• Cross platform
• Grammar focused

Cons:

• Some advanced features are paid
• Limited free AI prompts

Verdict:

Grammarly is best used as your final gatekeeper before publishing moves from ‘I’ve finished writing’ to ‘I’m ready to publish’.

6. ElevenLabs – Best for AI Voiceovers

Not every creator wants to record their own voice.

Maybe you don’t have a good space to record, maybe you’re making faceless videos, or maybe you just want to test out a few voices before buying a microphone.

This is where ElevenLabs comes in handy. They offer AI voice cloning that can be used for YouTube narration, explainer videos, short form videos, and other uses. The free plan gives you 10,000 credits per month, with variable value depending on which feature you’re using.

There is, however, one caveat for creators — be sure to read the fine print about licensing terms before trying to monetize any ElevenLabs-based content. The company explicitly states that the free version of its voice AI tool is for non-commercial use only, and commercial rights are granted with paid subscriptions.

Which AI Tool Should You Choose?

You don’t need to subscribe to all seven AI tools on day one. In fact, it may slow you down more than help you if you try to use every tool at once.

Here’s how to pick:

• If you mostly write content: ChatGPT + Grammarly
• If you mostly create graphics: Canva + Adobe Express
• If you mostly create videos: ChatGPT + CapCut + ElevenLabs
• If you need research: Perplexity
• If you are a beginner: Canva or ChatGPT
• If you are a freelancer: ChatGPT + Canva + CapCut
• The best tools usually depend on the place where you are currently the least efficient.
• If writing takes you the longest, practice with ChatGPT first.
• If editing your CapCut videos makes you waste hours of your life, practice with CapCut.
• If you are looking for ways to speed up research for your newsletter, try Perplexity.

You are not obliged to use AI for every task, and you should only embrace it in the places where it offers the most significant benefits.

Can You Create Content Using Only Free AI Tools?

As a matter of fact, you can use several free AI tools for content creation.

A novice creator can use ChatGPT for generating ideas, Perplexity for research, Canva for graphic design, CapCut for video editing, Grammarly for proofreading, and ElevenLabs for voice acting to make a project without spending a penny.

However, there may be some limitations with using the free plan, such as inability to use certain features or reach daily limits. Nevertheless, the free plan is sufficient for exploring the tool and seeing whether it is suitable or not, as the limitations may be lifted in the future. It is not recommended to invest in a tool before ensuring that it meets most requirements.

Final Verdict

It is not necessary to use seven AI tools to improve one’s creativity.

In most cases, three leading tools, such as ChatGPT + Canva + CapCut, are sufficient for creating articles, blogs, videos, or artwork. More specific combinations may be chosen depending on the type of content.

For example, bloggers may prefer ChatGPT + Perplexity + Grammarly, whereas video creators may stick to ChatGPT + CapCut + ElevenLabs.

However, one should remember that AI tools only play a supplementary role in creating content. The uniqueness of articles and videos is determined by the creator’s experience, voice, and perspective, among other factors. It is essential to invest time in learning and analyzing the market to become a better creator rather than rely on AI tools’ ability to replace human ingenuity. After mastering the basics of the work, one can use these tools to increase productivity and take on more interesting tasks.

FAQs

What are the best free AI tools for content creators?

The best tools depend on the creators’ needs. Still, most of them would include ChatGPT for brainstorming and writing, Canva for graphic design, CapCut for video editing, and Perplexity for research. Grammarly is also helpful for proofreading, and ElevenLabs may offer voice acting for videos.

Which AI tool is best for creating content?

There is no universal tool for creating all types of content, but ChatGPT is the best AI for writing, brainstorming, and planning. When it comes to graphic design, Canva is the most popular and user-friendly tool, whereas CcapCut is the easiest video editor to work with.

What is the best free AI tool for beginners?

I think that ChatGPT is the best tool for a beginner because it is the most multifunctional and does not require any prior knowledge. Canva is also a great option if one wants to try graphic design.

Can I use free AI tools to create content for social media?

One can use social media to post text, images, videos, and voice messages. Using the aforementioned tools, it would be possible to generate ideas, write captions, create images and videos, add voice recording, and edit long articles into shorter ones suitable for social media.

Can I make money using AI content creation tools?

One can make money by using AI content creation tools, but only by selling products created with them. Thus, clients will not pay for the tools directly, but the AI-generated products can help attract more clients or make one’s services more competitive. In any case, a creator needs to invest time and effort into making products that people are interested in.