Beginner guide

Which AI model should I use? A plain-English guide (2026)

You don't need the “best” AI, you need the right one for your task. Start with the free version of whichever fits.

Research-based, not tested. Written from official pages and help docs (last checked Oct 15, 2026). We haven't run our own tests of this yet, so treat it as an explainer, not a verdict. How we test

The short answer

If you're brand new, try ChatGPT or Gemini for free first. They're the easiest all-rounders. Add Claude if you write a lot. Only pay once you keep hitting the free limits.

Pick by what you want to do

I want to…Try firstWhy
Ask everyday questions, plan, brainstormChatGPT or GeminiBoth free, easy, with voice and images built in
Write or edit long documentsClaudeKnown for careful writing; free plan includes file creation
Use AI inside Gmail, Docs or AndroidGeminiBuilt into Google's apps (some features need Google AI Plus or Pro)
Follow breaking newsGrokSearches the web and X live
Pay as little as possible for a Pro planMistral or Google AI Plus$14.99/mo and $4.99/mo respectively (as of Oct 2026)
Run AI privately on my own computerLlama or Mistral open-weight modelsFree to download, but technical to set up
Learn to code or build an appClaude, ChatGPT (Codex)Coding tools included with their paid plans
Use AI on my iPhoneSiri + the ChatGPT extensionBuilt in on Apple Intelligence iPhones

Three tips before you pay

  1. Try two free plans side by side with the same question, then keep the one you like.
  2. Check limits, not just price. Plans differ mostly in how much you can use them before you hit a cap.
  3. Don't share secrets. Read each app's privacy settings; some let you turn off model training.

See also: AI models explained · Best free AI models

Last checked Oct 15, 2026.

Sources

Prices and plans change often. Always confirm on the official site before you buy.