Artificial intelligence tools: what they are and the 15 best in 2026

Artificial intelligence tools are programs that use AI to perform content tasks in seconds, such as writing text, generating images, editing videos, creating audio and answering questions. In this guide, you will understand how they work, meet the 15 best ones of 2026 and see how to fit them into a workflow that goes from idea to sold product.

New options appear every month, and it is easy to get lost. To make things easier, we organized what really matters: what these tools do, which ones are best for each goal and how to use them in the daily routine of those who create and sell digital products. Along the way, you will also see Hotmart’s own AI solutions.

What are artificial intelligence tools?

An artificial intelligence tool is software that uses AI models to perform tasks that, until recently, depended on a person’s manual work: writing a text, creating an image, transcribing audio, summarizing a document or answering a question. What changes compared to a regular program is how it operates.

Traditional software follows fixed rules: you click, and it always runs the same way. An AI tool, on the other hand, learns patterns from large volumes of data and handles open requests written in natural language. You describe what you need in a command, the prompt, and it returns an original result, adapted to your request.

In practice, these tools cover almost the entire content production chain. There are options to write, generate images, produce video, create voice and music, build presentations, organize ideas and serve customers. Most work straight from the browser or through an app, and many have a free version for you to test.

How do AI tools work?

Most of the content tools you will use are based on generative AI, the type of AI that creates something new instead of just classifying or organizing information. It learns patterns from huge datasets and, based on them, generates text, images, audio or video on demand.

It works in two stages:

• Training: the model analyzes millions of examples and learns the relationships between them, for example, how words combine or how certain shapes and colors make up an image;
• Use: you send a prompt and the model predicts the most likely response to that request. That is why a good command makes such a difference: the clearer and more specific you are, the better the result tends to be. If you want to go deeper, it is worth learning how to write a good prompt.

Not every tool uses the same type of model. Language models handle text, while others specialize in image, voice or video. Understanding this split helps you choose the right tool for each task. To see how it all fits into your business, check our overview of artificial intelligence at Hotmart.

The 15 best AI tools in 2026

We gathered the most widely used tools in 2026, starting with a quick view in the table and, right below, an explanation of each one: what it does, what it is recommended for and how access works. Prices change often, so always confirm on the official page before subscribing.

1. ChatGPT

ChatGPT, from OpenAI, is the most popular and most versatile AI assistant on the list. It writes texts, summarizes, creates scripts, answers questions and even generates images through DALL-E, all in the same place. It is recommended for anyone who wants a single tool for the daily routine of content creation. The free version handles a lot; the paid one, from US$ 20 per month, unlocks the latest models and advanced features.

2. Claude

Claude, from Anthropic, stands out when the job calls for long text and care with complex instructions. It is recommended for writing articles and ebooks, reviewing lengthy materials and analyzing large documents without losing the thread. It has a free version and a Pro plan for frequent users.

3. Gemini

Gemini, from Google, comes integrated into Gmail, Docs and Sheets, which helps those who already work in that environment. It is recommended for summarizing texts, generating content and interpreting data inside Google’s tools. The advanced version is part of the Google One AI Premium subscription.

4. Perplexity

Perplexity works like an AI search engine: it answers questions and cites the sources it used. It is recommended for fast and reliable research, especially when you need to check a fact before publishing. It has a free plan and a Pro version with more complete answers.

5. Clarice.ai

Clarice.ai is a Brazilian tool trained in Portuguese, which reduces that literal-translation feel in texts. It is recommended for those who write a lot in Portuguese and want speed with grammar support and tone adjustment. It offers a free version and paid plans.

6. Midjourney

Midjourney is one of the best options for artistic, high-quality images. It now runs on the V8 family and has its own app in the browser, so it no longer depends on Discord. It is recommended for covers, illustrations and pieces with a professional finish. It is a paid tool, from US$ 10 per month.

7. DALL-E

DALL-E is the image generation built into ChatGPT. It is recommended for quick everyday images, when you are already chatting with ChatGPT and want an illustration on the spot, without switching tools. It is available with limits on the free version and in full on the paid plan.

8. Canva Magic Studio

Canva brings AI features into the editor that many people already know. It is recommended for posts, covers and visual materials with ready-made design, without needing to master editing software. Find more options in this list of social media tools. It has a free plan and Pro with more templates and features.

9. Runway

Runway is an AI video platform that generates scenes, removes backgrounds and applies effects that would take a lot of work in manual editing. It is recommended for those who produce video for social media and want a more polished finish. If you are starting out, see these video recording apps. It has a limited free version and paid plans based on usage volume.

10. Pictory

Pictory turns a text or article into video, with automatic cuts and captions. It is recommended for repurposing written content, turning posts into social media videos in a few minutes. It works with an initial trial and paid plans.

11. HeyGen

HeyGen creates videos with a virtual presenter from a text. It is recommended for those who want to produce video lessons or ads without appearing on camera or setting up a studio. It has a limited free version and paid plans.

12. ElevenLabs

ElevenLabs generates narration with a realistic voice in several languages. It is recommended for video lessons, audiobooks and podcasts, and also for dubbing your content to reach audiences in other countries. It starts with a limited free version and moves on to paid plans.

13. Suno

Suno creates original songs and tracks from a text description. It is recommended for jingles, video intros and background music, avoiding the headache of third-party music rights. It has limited free use and paid plans.

14. Gamma

Gamma builds presentations and pages from a topic, with a ready layout to adjust. It is recommended for those who need slides, class material or a simple page in a short time. It offers a free plan and paid versions.

15. Notion AI

Notion AI lives inside Notion and helps summarize, write and organize information. It is recommended for those who already use Notion to plan content and want to speed up notes, scripts and task lists. It is an add-on to the paid plans.

Benefits of using AI tools for those who create and sell content

For creators, the biggest advantage is time. Tasks that used to hold production back now take minutes, which frees you up for what AI does not do: defining your positioning, bringing your experience and nurturing the relationship with your audience. And its use is no longer a trend. According to the State of AI 2025 report by McKinsey, 79% of organizations already use generative AI in at least one area, with marketing and sales leading that adoption.

Translated into the routine of someone who turns knowledge into a product, this shows up as concrete gains:

• Get the idea off the ground faster, turning what you know into a course structure, script or ebook;
• Produce at scale, generating texts, images, videos and audio without relying on a large team;
• Lower the technical barrier, creating a sales page or professional video even if you are not a designer or editor;
• Serve better, with assistants that answer students at any time and free up your time;
• Test before investing, validating a topic, a title or a format in a few minutes.

How to choose the right AI tool for your goal

With so many options, the secret is to start from your goal, not from the trendy tool. A simple path helps you decide without getting lost:

• First define what you need to solve: writing, creating images, editing video, generating voice or supporting students;
• Start with free versions to feel whether the tool fits the way you work;
• Check whether it integrates with what you already use, to avoid rework;
• Assess the learning curve and prefer the most intuitive ones when you are starting out;
• Test calmly and compare results before subscribing to a paid plan.

A tip worth gold: instead of piling up ten similar tools, master two or three that cover your workflow. Fewer tools, used in depth, tend to deliver more than a collection you barely open.

How to use AI tools to create and sell a digital product

Having the tools is only the beginning. What changes the game is fitting them into a workflow that takes you from idea to sold product. Here is a practical path a creator can follow using what we have covered so far:

1. Validate and structure the idea: use a text AI to turn your knowledge into a structure of modules, lessons and target audience. Here, Hotmart AI already does this work with digital products in mind;
2. Produce the content: write with ChatGPT, Claude or Clarice.ai, record the lessons and use ElevenLabs for narration, HeyGen if you do not want to appear on camera, and Canva or Midjourney for images;
3. Build the offer: create the sales page and the promotional materials. Tools like Hotmart Pages already generate the page’s initial structure with AI;
4. Deliver and support: host the course in a members area and use AI assistants to answer students’ questions, or go further and publish an AI agent as part of the experience;
5. Publish and sell: put everything on a platform that handles checkout, payments and delivery, so you can focus on content. That is the role of an ecosystem like Hotmart when it comes to how to sell digital products.

Hotmart’s AI solutions for creators

You probably noticed that AI shows up at every stage of the workflow above. The good news is that Hotmart, the all-in-one platform for digital product creators, already brings several of these solutions with built-in artificial intelligence, in the same place where you create, sell and deliver. That way, you do not need to tie together ten loose tools to run your business.

Hotmart AI: from idea to structured product

Hotmart AI is a free tool that turns an idea into a product proposal. You enter the topic you master and it suggests the structure of modules and lessons, the persona, a price range and sales strategy paths. It is especially useful for those who have knowledge but get stuck when organizing it all into a sellable course.

Hotmart Pages with AI: a sales page in minutes

Inside Hotmart Pages, creation with artificial intelligence builds the initial structure of a sales page from your product information, generating text and sections for you to review and adjust. This shortens the time between having the product ready and putting the offer live.

Hotmart Tutor: 24-hour student support

Hotmart Tutor is an intelligent assistant that lives in the members area of Hotmart Club and answers students’ questions at any time. It learns from your course videos and, according to Hotmart, can cut by up to half the questions that you or your team would have to answer, which helps the experience and retention.

Precautions when using AI tools in your content

AI is a powerful ally, but it calls for attention in a few areas. The first is accuracy: AI can make up information, so-called hallucinations, so review data, names, numbers and sources before publishing anything.

The second is the human eye. Use AI to speed things up, not to replace your expertise, because generic content does not build authority. The third is usage rights: check each tool’s terms on commercial use, especially for images and audio, since the rules change often. And avoid entering sensitive data, yours or your customers’, into tools you do not yet know well.

Put AI tools to work for your content

AI tools do not replace your authority, but they take repetitive work off your plate so you can focus on what matters: creating and selling. The best path is to choose a few tools that cover your workflow and master each one. And when you are ready to turn knowledge into a product, start with Hotmart AI and build your product’s structure for free. Create your free Hotmart account.

Frequently asked questions