20 of the best AI tools for business productivity (2024)

Feeling overwhelmed by the sheer amount of AI tools on the market? If you’re reading this, chances are you’re looking for the right tool for your business, but we’d understand if your head was spinning.

Right now, there seems to be a new AI start-up springing onto the market every day. Businesses are being swamped by choice paralysis. When you add organisational resistance to this and regulatory hoops, it's not surprising that one in four businesses still haven’t implemented AI.

That's why we’ve handpicked 20 AI tools that are proven to streamline business operations, save you time, and cut costs – all without complex implementation. Plus, these tools offer the highest levels of security and governance, so you won’t have to fret about your data being compromised. After all, AI should solve problems, not create them

Let’s jump into the best AI business tools on the market right now, spread across 10 business use case categories.

1. Chatbots

OpenDialogue

OpenDialogue is an AI-powered chatbot designed to enhance customer service and engagement. It offers intelligent conversation capabilities, allowing it to understand and respond to customer inquiries promptly.

Pros:

• Personalised interactions for a tailored customer service that makes customers feel valued.
• Easy integration with various plug-in platforms that connects software seamlessly, with quick setup and minimal disruption.
• Real-time responses that reduce wait times and improve customer satisfaction.

Cons:

• Can be costly which may be prohibitive for small businesses and startups.
• Setup and training are required which takes time and resources.

Pricing: Custom pricing based on business needs. Visit OpenDialogue

Claude 2‍

Claude 2 is another leading chatbot that uses advanced AI to handle customer queries. It can manage complex interactions and provide personalized responses, improving customer success and satisfaction.

Pros:

• High response accuracy which minimises misunderstandings and improves customer service.
• Handles complex queries making it particularly useful for industries requiring detailed, varied, and nuanced responses.
• Customizable to fit business needs, allowing for a more tailored user experience.

Cons:

• Expensive for smaller operations
• Requires technical expertise to customise effectively in some cases.

Pricing: Varies based on usage and customization. Visit Claude 2

2. Note Takers

Fireflies AI

Fireflies AI is a powerful tool that transcribes meetings, taking notes automatically. It captures everything from calls and meetings, making it easier to keep track of important discussions.

Pros:

• Accurate transcription for streamlined meetings with key insights transcribed in real-time.
• Platform integration with major meeting software for a smooth user experience.
• Easy to use for beginners, so minimal training is needed.

Cons:

• Accuracy can vary with audio quality.
• Free plan limitations as only basic features available without a paid subscription.

Pricing: Free plan available, premium starts at $10/month. Visit Fireflies AI

Otter.ai

Otter.ai is another excellent tool for note-taking, especially during significant meetings. It provides real-time transcription and can identify speakers, making it particularly useful for recording detailed minutes.

Pros:

• Real-time transcription with speaker identification provides immediate insights into meetings.
• Integrates with video conferencing tools for flawless compatibility and convenience.
• Keyword summaries are available to help find important information in transcripts quickly.

Cons:

• Transcription errors can be an issue in noisy environments.
• Limited free version with restricted minutes.

Pricing: Free plan available, premium starts at $8.33/month. Visit Otter.ai

3. Content Creation

GPT-4o

GPT-4o is an advanced language model that is skilled at creating diverse types of language-based content with a high degree of customization and coherence. It's capable of understanding and generating text in multiple languages and formats, making it a powerful tool for efficient content generation across various platforms.

Pros:

• Highly sophisticated text generation produces natural language content, saving time on writing and editing.
• Multi-language support helps organisations reach numerous markets without expensive translation costs.
• Contextually relevant responses match the tone and context of every query.

Cons:

• Requires guidance with careful monitoring to avoid generating undesired content
• Cost-prohibitive for continuous high-volume use, limiting access to smaller organisations.

Pricing: Free plans recently made available, but pricing can occur based on the amount of text generated and the complexity of the tasks. Learn more about OpenAI’s offerings

Copy.ai

Copy.ai is a decent AI tool for generating creative and engaging content. It can help with writing blog posts, social media content, emails, and a whole lot more, speeding up the writing process significantly.

Pros:

• User-friendly interface with an easier learning curve for all experience levels.
• Quick content generation which helps increase productivity and online presence.
• Wide range of templates allows for efficient and well-structured content creation.

Cons:

• Inconsistent quality output means more time may be needed to get the required result.
• Human editing needed in order to polish content to a higher standard.

Pricing: Free plan available, premium starts at $49/month. Visit Copy.ai

4. Graphic Design

DALL-E

DALL-E is a cutting-edge AI program developed by OpenAI that can generate unique images and art from textual prompts. This tool allows users to create complex visuals simply by describing what they envision, making it an invaluable resource for graphic designers looking to bring ideas to life quickly.

Pros:

• High-quality image generation provides efficient image generation for a wide range of purposes.
• Editing capabilities mean some changes can be made to existing images or new variations can be created.
• Conceptual design and ideation phases are supported by the ease of use and creative assistance.

Cons:

• Unpredictable output means quality may vary depending on prompt specifics.
• Unsuitable for text heavy graphics as text in images is prone to mistakes.
• OpenAI’s content policy restrictions prevent certain types of imagery.

Pricing: Usage-based pricing; requires credits purchased through OpenAI. Visit DALL-E

Canva’s Magic Write

This is an AI-powered feature within Canva, a popular graphic design tool. Magic Write assists with generating design elements, text content, and layout suggestions based on the user’s requirements. It streamlines the design process, especially for non-designers, by making it easy to create professional-level graphics.

Pros:

• User-friendly interface ideal for beginners and professionals alike, making professional visuals accessible to those without design experience.
• Integrated AI in design process helps with layouts and ideas, so less time is spent on design iterations.
• Extensive library of templates and design elements allows for quick and easy design generation.

Cons:

• Creative limitations when compared to more advanced design software.
• Subscription required for premium features.

Pricing: Free version available; Pro version starts at $12.99 per month. Visit Canva

5. Video Creation and Editing

Descript

Descript offers advanced features like speech-to-text transcription and automated editing. It makes the video production process more seamless, especially for those without extensive editing skills.

Pros:

• Easy transcription and editing saves time and helps creators of all experience levels produce professional content.
• User-friendly interface which anyone can easily navigate
• Recommended for podcasts and videos as it allows for easy production without specialist skills.

Cons:

• Limited advanced features which professional editors may find restrictive.
• Expensive for smaller businesses with a tighter budget.

Pricing: Free plan available, premium starts at $15/month. Visit Descript

CapCut

CapCut is a free all-in-one video editing app that allows users to create sharp, high-quality videos with ease. It's particularly popular for its user-friendly interface and the vast array of editing features, including advanced filters and effects, that are typically found in more complex software.

Pros:

• Comprehensive free tool with no initial cost, making it accessible to all.
• User friendly interface that is suitable for beginners.
• Social media and short-form videos are ideal applications due to its stylish editing features.
• Advanced editing features like overlays, keyframe animations, and more make it a good choice for high-quality content.

Cons:

• Best for mobile use so it’s limited functionality on desktop makes it unsuitable for some professional needs.
• Less robust for large-scale video projects.
• Unsuitable for long form videos as it’s specifically designed for short form, social-friendly content.

Pricing: Free to use, offers in-app purchases. Visit CapCut

6. Grammar Checkers and Rewording Tools

Grammarly

Grammarly is a tried and trusted tool for ensuring clear and concise communication. It spots and corrects grammar mistakes, suggests improvements, and even helps with tone and style.

Pros:

• Highly accurate grammar correction pinpoints and fixes errors, saving time on proofreading.
• Real-time suggestions provide instant updates as you write for more efficient writing.
• Browser and app integration means it works wherever you type so writing quality is always maintained.

Cons:

• Premium version can be expensive so advanced features may be inaccessible for some businesses.
• Over-correction may occasionally cause some phrases to be incorrectly flagged.

Pricing: Free plan available, premium starts at $12/month. Visit Grammarly

Wordtune

Wordtune is another good AI tool that helps reword sentences to improve clarity and style. It’s great for ensuring your message is communicated accurately and effectively.

Pros:

• Easy to use so it’s suitable for all computer literacy levels.
• Writing style enhancement helps improve readability and professionalism.
• Integrates with popular writing platforms making it consistently available no matter which program you’re using

Cons:

• Limited free version provides few rewriting options.
• Poor contextual sensitivity means some suggestions may lack contextual relevance.

Pricing: Free plan available, premium starts at $9.99/month. Visit Wordtune

7. Project Management

Notion

Notion offers a flexible platform that combines notes, tasks, databases, and project management into one tool. It's particularly favoured for its customizability, allowing teams to create and manage their projects using a variety of templates and tools.

Pros:

• Flexible and customisable which personalises setup and makes it adaptable to different workflows.
• All-in-one tool that combines notes, databases, and task management for comprehensive organisation.
• Ideal for small teams and individuals as it scales well to meet personal or business use.

Cons:

• Steep learning curve due to its many features which may be overwhelming to new users.
• Limited search functionality means it can be difficult to find specific notes or tasks.
• Lag can sometimes occur with real-time collaboration functions.

Pricing: Free for individual use, team plans start at $8 per user per month. Visit Notion

Trello

Trello is another popular project management tool that uses the Kanban board approach to task management. It's simple to use and very visual, making it easy for teams to track project progress at a glance.

Pros:

• User-friendly interface with drag-and-drop functionality which makes it an accessible AI tool for business.
• Suitable for small to medium-sized projects that don’t require extensive resource planning as it is simple to use without unnecessary complexity.
• Integration options make it compatible with numerous software apps to enhance functionality and simplify project management.

Cons:

• Can become cluttered with large projects or too many tasks, which can reduce efficiency.
• Lacks advanced features that larger scale project management requires, such as resource management.

Pricing: Free basic plan available, premium plans start at $10 per user per month. Visit Trello

8. Service Management

EnateAI

EnateAI is a decent tool for anyone running a large service. It enables businesses to easily streamline service delivery by automating significant parts of service management and minimising manual work. Businesses like TMF rely on it to streamline service management, customer support, service desk, and back-office operations.

Pros:

• Easy 'Switch on' automation features for services including sentiment analysis AI, intelligent document processing, email triage, and classification AI.
• 97% accuracy delivers reliability and customer satisfaction.
• No coding or MLOps required so anyone can use it, just install and go
• Integrates with other leading business tools to provide a seamless operation, making it one of the best AI tools for business.

Cons:

• Requires Enate’s platform or API as access to all the AI features is available only through Enate’s workflow orchestration platform or purchasing AI features via API.
• Not recommended for smaller businesses as larger organisations benefit most from its capabilities.

Pricing: Custom pricing. Visit EnateAI

Freshservice

Freshservice is a modern, easy-to-use IT service management software that also extends to other service management areas. It provides businesses with tools to streamline their service delivery, automate tasks, and improve customer satisfaction through an intuitive interface and powerful automation capabilities.

Pros:

• User-friendly interface
• Comprehensive ITSM and customer service management features
• Strong automation and AI capabilities

Cons:

• Can be costly when adding multiple features or for large teams
• Customization options may require technical know-how

Pricing: Starts at $19 per user per month with various tiers based on features and support levels. Visit Freshservice

9. Scheduling

Clockwise

Clockwise uses AI algorithms to optimize calendars and streamline meeting scheduling. It suggests the best times for meetings based on users' schedules and preferences.

Pros:

• Automated scheduling reduces the time spent arranging meetings.
• Reduces calendar conflicts as users' availability is automatically taken into account.
• Easy set up and simple integration with calendar apps.

Cons:

• Limited free version means the paid version is needed for advanced features.
• Premium can be costly so the price may be prohibitive for smaller organisations.

Pricing: Free plan available, premium starts at $6/month. Visit Clockwise

Reclaim

Reclaim is another great tool for optimizing schedules. It helps manage meeting times, focus time, and even personal appointments.

Pros:

• Smart scheduling features balance meeting times and improve time management.
• Calendar app integration allows for seamless setup and use.
• Work-life balance support to help users balance personal time with work commitments.

Cons:

• Limited features on the free plan.
• Setup can take time as the initial configuration requires input to get the best performance.

Pricing: Free plan available, premium starts at $8/month. Visit Reclaim

10. Email Inbox Management

SaneBox

SaneBox helps prioritize important emails, declutters your inbox, and automates repetitive tasks, making email management much more streamlined and efficient.

Pros:

• Effective email filtering sorts and prioritises messages, making inbox management easier.
• Customizable features allow users to tailor features to their individual needs.
• Wide email integration so it works with most major email platforms.

Cons:

• No free plan so payment is required for access.
• Learning curve for setup so it can take a bit of time to get up and running.

Pricing: Starts at $7/month. Visit SaneBox

EnateAI

EnateAI offers advanced solutions for email management by using AI to streamline email triaging, processing and categorization. Additionally, it features sentiment analysis capabilities, which allow it to understand the tone and urgency of incoming customer messages. This enables businesses to prioritize responses based on customer sentiment, further enhancing service delivery and response times.

Pros:

• Automated email sorting and prioritisation reduce the time spent on email triage.
• Sentiment analysis detects the tone and urgency of emails and messages, enabling effective prioritisation.
• Reduces manual email handling with approximately 900 hours saved per 30,000 emails.
• Software integration makes it compatible with existing platforms for enhanced productivity.

Cons:

• Most effective when also used with Enate’s ecosystem. It works most effectively within the all-in-one workflow orchestration platform.
• Less suitable for smaller businesses as most benefits are gained from larger organisations.

Pricing: Custom pricing. Visit EnateAI