#1Top pickFree option
OpenAI's assistant with deep research, agent mode and Codex built in
ChatGPT is OpenAI's AI assistant that answers questions, writes, analyzes files and, through features like deep research and agent mode, researches the web and completes multi-step tasks for you. It also includes the Codex coding agent. There is a free plan, and paid plans run from Go at $8 to Pro from $100 a month.
Why it's here
- +Many agent features in one app
- +Large connector and app ecosystem
- +Free plan to start
Watch out for
- −Agent and research limits depend on plan
- −Agent mode is slower than doing simple tasks yourself
- −Can still state wrong facts confidently
Free · from $8/moTask agent
#2Free option
AI answer engine with cited sources and deep research reports
Perplexity is an AI answer engine that searches the web and responds with cited sources, with research modes that read many pages and write longer reports. It is a quick way to get sourced answers instead of a list of links. There is a free plan, with Pro and Max subscriptions for heavier use.
Why it's here
- +Citations on every answer
- +Fast
- +Useful free plan
Watch out for
- −Source quality varies
- −Plan limits change often
- −Less good at long, structured analysis than dedicated tools
#3Free option
Research agent that searches, screens and summarizes academic papers
Elicit is an AI research assistant that finds academic papers, extracts data from them and writes research reports and systematic reviews. It is built for evidence-based questions where you need to see which studies support an answer. The Basic plan is free; Pro costs $49 per user a month.
Why it's here
- +Built on academic sources
- +Extracts structured data from papers
- +Shows the evidence behind answers
Watch out for
- −Not for general web research
- −Paid plans are pricey for individuals
- −Coverage depends on paper availability
Free · from $49/moTask agent
#4Free option
Super Agent workspace that researches and builds slides, docs and sheets
Genspark is an AI workspace built around a Super Agent that researches topics and produces slides, documents, sheets and other outputs. It offers a free tier with daily credits and paid plans with larger credit allowances.
Why it's here
- +Many output types in one tool
- +Free tier to start
- +Runs multi-step tasks on its own
Watch out for
- −Credit limits change often
- −Outputs need checking
- −Not tied into your CRM or inbox workflows
#5Free option
General-purpose AI agent that researches, builds slides, sites and more
Manus is a general-purpose AI agent that takes a goal and works through it on its own, producing research, slides, web apps, designs, images and video. Its Wide Research mode runs many sub-tasks in parallel. Plans are credit-based, and accounts get daily refresh credits.
Why it's here
- +Handles long tasks end to end
- +Many output types from one prompt
- +Daily free credits to try it
Watch out for
- −Credit burn on long tasks is hard to predict
- −Output needs fact-checking
- −Not built for recurring workflows in your CRM
#6
Google's workplace agent platform, formerly Agentspace, for company-wide AI agents
Gemini Enterprise is Google Cloud's platform for using and building AI agents at work, grounded in company data across Google Workspace, Microsoft 365 and other business apps. It evolved from Google Agentspace. It is sold per seat through Google Cloud, with separate usage billing for agent platform features.
Why it's here
- +Searches across many company systems
- +No-code agent designer
- +Google-grade security controls
Watch out for
- −Pricing and plan names keep changing
- −Best value only for Google-centric orgs
- −Setup needs IT involvement
#7Free option
Perplexity's AI browser with an assistant that can act on web pages
Comet is a web browser from Perplexity with a built-in AI assistant that can summarize pages, manage email and carry out tasks across tabs. The browser itself is free to download. Some advanced assistant features are tied to paid Perplexity plans.
Why it's here
- +Free
- +Familiar Chromium-based browser
- +Built-in cited search
Watch out for
- −Means switching your main browser
- −Best features need a paid plan
- −Browser agents carry prompt-injection risk
#8
AI platform and agents for law firms and in-house legal teams
Harvey is an AI platform for legal and professional services that handles research, document review, drafting and contract analysis. Its agents can carry out multi-step legal work, and an orchestration layer routes tasks to the right agent. It sells to law firms and in-house teams through demos, with no public pricing.
Why it's here
- +Broad legal toolset in one platform
- +Vault for bulk document analysis
- +Shared workspaces with clients
Watch out for
- −Priced for firms, not solo lawyers
- −No self-serve signup
- −Lawyers still must review output