Category
AI research tools search the web and your documents and return answers with citations. They are ideal for competitor analysis, supplier checks and market sizing — provided you click through and verify the sources.
Our top pick: Claude (9.4/10) — contracts, policies, long reports and polished client writing.
Anthropic • AI Assistants
Claude is the strongest all-round assistant we have tested for writing, contract and policy review, and analysing long documents — with a calm, precise tone that suits UK business communication.
Best for: Contracts, policies, long reports and polished client writing
OpenAI • AI Assistants
ChatGPT remains the Swiss Army knife of AI: fast, multimodal, packed with integrations and custom GPTs, and familiar to almost everyone you will hire.
Best for: All-round use, image generation and custom GPT workflows
Google • AI Assistants
Gemini is the natural choice for Google Workspace businesses, with AI built into Gmail, Docs, Sheets and Meet, plus a capable standalone assistant with strong research features.
Best for: Google Workspace users and research-heavy work
Perplexity AI • Research
Perplexity is the fastest way to research a market, competitor or supplier with sources you can check — it answers like an assistant but cites like a search engine.
Best for: Competitor, supplier and market research
Semrush • Marketing
Semrush is a comprehensive SEO and marketing suite with AI writing, keyword research and tracking for AI search visibility.
Best for: Businesses investing seriously in SEO and content
DeepSeek • AI Assistants
DeepSeek's models are impressively capable and free to use, but its consumer app stores data in China. We do not recommend it for confidential UK business data unless the open-weight model is self-hosted.
Best for: Non-sensitive experiments, or self-hosted open-weight use