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What AI should I use? The best tool for images, coding, websites, resumes, books and more
There’s no single best AI. The right one depends on what you’re trying to do, and for most jobs a free plan is enough to start. Here’s a plain answer for the tasks people ask about most, with what each free plan really gives you.
For everyday questions, any free plan of ChatGPT, Claude or Gemini works. For images, ChatGPT or Gemini. For coding, Codex or Claude Code. For a website, ChatGPT Sites or Claude Artifacts for quick pages, a site builder for a business. For studying PDFs, Gemini Notebook. For a Roblox game, Roblox Studio’s built-in Assistant.
The quick answer, by task
| I want to… | Start with | Free? |
|---|---|---|
| Make or edit images | ChatGPT Images 2.5 or Gemini | Yes, a few a day |
| Learn to code | ChatGPT or Claude (ask it to explain) | Yes |
| Build a real coding project | Codex or Claude Code | Codex: limited free; Claude Code: from $20 |
| Make a quick web page | ChatGPT Sites or Claude Artifacts | Artifacts yes; Sites limited |
| Fix my resume | ChatGPT or Claude | Yes |
| Write a book | Claude or ChatGPT | Yes to start |
| Make a Roblox game | Roblox Studio Assistant | Built into Studio |
| Study from PDFs and notes | Gemini Notebook (NotebookLM) | Yes |
| Everyday questions | ChatGPT, Claude or Gemini | Yes |
From each company’s product, help and pricing pages, checked Oct 12, 2026. Prices are US.
To generate images
ChatGPT (Images 2.5) is the strongest all-rounder: good at following instructions, editing your photos and putting text in pictures, though small text can still go wrong. Gemini makes and edits images free too. Free limits are small on both (about a few a day) and neither company publishes an exact number. Bing Image Creator gives 15 fast images a day. Details: ChatGPT Images 2.5 and headshot prompts.
For coding
- Learning: paste code into ChatGPT or Claude and ask “explain this line by line, as if I’m new to programming”. ChatGPT’s free plan also has a Study mode.
- Real projects: a coding agent that can read your whole project and run it. Codex comes with limited use on ChatGPT’s free plan in the desktop app; Claude Code starts with Claude Pro at $20 a month. Compared: Codex vs Claude Code.
- Building an app by describing it (no coding): see vibe coding for beginners, and read the safety guide before you put real users’ data in it.
To build a website
- A quick page or small app to share: Claude Artifacts (on Claude’s free plan) or ChatGPT Sites (in beta through ChatGPT Work; full access on Plus).
- A real business site with your own domain, search visibility and forms: a website builder with AI tools, such as Wix. Wix’s free plan shows its ads and a wixsite.com address; your own domain needs a paid plan reported.
For your resume
The free plans of ChatGPT or Claude are enough. Paste the job ad and your current resume, ask for bullet points that match the ad, and ask what’s missing. Keep every fact true, and don’t paste your home address, ID numbers or references’ contact details. Copy-paste prompts: 8 resume prompts.
To write a book
Use AI as an editor and brainstorming partner, not a ghostwriter: outlines, character notes, “where does this chapter drag?”, consistency checks. Claude is especially good with long text and has Claude Docs for writing together. ChatGPT keeps files and instructions together in Projects (Plus). Free plans handle only part of a long manuscript at once, roughly a dozen pages in ChatGPT Free’s quick mode, so work chapter by chapter.
To make a Roblox game
Use the Assistant built into Roblox Studio (click Assistant on the right of the top bar). It can write, change and explain scripts, insert assets from the Creator Store, generate 3D meshes from a description, style materials, and plan changes before building them. Roblox itself warns that generated scripts might not work flawlessly, so test as you go. Stuck on an error? Paste it into ChatGPT or Claude and ask for a plain-English explanation.
To study from PDFs and notes
Gemini Notebook, formerly NotebookLM, answers only from your own files, shows the exact passage, and turns notes into quizzes, flashcards and audio summaries. It’s free to start. Guide: what NotebookLM / Gemini Notebook can do. ChatGPT and Claude can also read uploaded files; ask them to quote the source so you can check.
For everyday questions
All three free plans are good. ChatGPT has the most features, and its free plan now gives unlimited everyday chats with GPT-6 Luna, though US free users may see ads. Claude writes most naturally and handles long documents well. Gemini fits best if you use Gmail and Google Docs. Full comparison of seven assistants: AI Tools.
Sources: ChatGPT pricing · OpenAI: images in ChatGPT · OpenAI: ChatGPT Work and Codex · Claude pricing · Roblox: Assistant guide · Google: Gemini Notebook · Bing Image Creator FAQ
Quick answers
What is the best AI for beginners?
Start with the free plan of ChatGPT, Claude or Gemini; all three are good at everyday questions and writing. Pick ChatGPT for the widest range of features, Claude for writing and long documents, and Gemini if you live in Google apps like Gmail and Docs.
What AI should I use to generate images?
ChatGPT (Images 2.5) and Google Gemini both make and edit images on their free plans, with small daily limits. Microsoft’s Bing Image Creator gives 15 fast images a day free. For commercial work, check each tool’s terms.
What AI should I use for coding?
To learn, ask ChatGPT or Claude to explain code step by step on their free plans. For real projects, use a coding agent: OpenAI’s Codex (limited free use in the ChatGPT desktop app) or Claude Code (from Claude Pro, $20 a month).
What AI should I use to make a Roblox game?
Roblox Studio’s built-in Assistant. It can write and explain scripts, insert assets, generate 3D meshes and plan changes before building. Roblox warns that generated scripts might not work flawlessly, so test them.
What AI should I use for my resume?
The free plan of ChatGPT or Claude is enough: paste the job ad and your resume, and ask for tailored bullet points. Keep every fact true and leave out your address and ID numbers.
What AI is best for studying PDFs?
Google’s Gemini Notebook (formerly NotebookLM) answers only from the files you upload, cites the exact passage, and can make quizzes and audio summaries. It’s free to start.
Keep learning
ChatGPT Free vs Go vs Plus: which plan is worth paying for?
ChatGPT Free, Go ($8) and Plus ($20) compared from OpenAI’s own pricing page: models, limits, ads, deep research and Codex, and who should pick which.
Is Claude free? What you get without paying, and what you don’t
Yes, Claude has a free plan. What it includes (Sonnet, web search, files, voice), what needs Pro at $20 (Claude Code, Opus, Research) and how limits work.
What is NotebookLM, now called Gemini Notebook? What it does, what’s free, and how to start
NotebookLM is now Gemini Notebook: Google’s free AI that answers from your own files and makes podcasts, slides and study guides. Limits, prices, privacy.