Free AI tools: six alternatives for research, writing, and everyday use

Six free options and their key features

For research and text creation

Perplexity functions as a search engine that provides answers in plain text. Each response includes the sources consulted, and users can limit their search to scientific articles, videos, or web pages. It’s particularly useful for gathering market data before a meeting.

Claude, developed by Anthropic, is designed for professional use. It creates reports, analyzes code, and manipulates files. In practice, it can summarize lengthy documents or reorganize presentation drafts. The free version has usage limits.

For those already using Google or Microsoft

Gemini, from Google, accepts commands via text, audio, and video. The Gemini Live feature enables real-time voice conversations, making it convenient for quick questions on Android phones or browsers.

Copilot, from Microsoft, works in browsers, apps, and on Windows. Since April 2026, the free version no longer operates within Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, which now require a paid license. The free chat remains available.

For mobile use and in Portuguese

Meta AI is integrated with Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp, and also has a web version. It responds to text commands and generates images, making it practical for those who already use these apps for work.

Maritaca AI is a Brazilian platform focused on Portuguese-language content. Its latest model, Sabiá-4 Thinking, displays step-by-step reasoning and cites the sources used. Comparative tests with foreign models were conducted by the company itself.

Precautions when adopting a new tool

Free versions impose usage limits, and rules can change frequently, as happened with Copilot. It’s worth testing the same command in two tools and comparing the results before deciding on a preference.

It’s essential to be cautious with sensitive data. Contracts, internal numbers, and customer information should only be entered after reviewing each service’s privacy policy. Responses also need to be verified, as language models trained on large volumes of text can make mistakes.

What the data reveals about AI usage

Widespread adoption does not yet mean constant use. In the same PwC survey, only 26% of Brazilian professionals use AI tools daily, while globally this figure is 14%. The numbers indicate that experimentation is already common, but recurring use at work is still in the consolidation phase.