What to open first depends on what you want to make
I did not build this list around a round number. These are the tools that currently have a clear reason to deserve your time.
- Higgsfield — start here if you want one place for modern AI video workflows and access to several leading models.
- Nano Banana 2 / Pro — for image generation that becomes genuinely useful when you start editing existing images.
- Veo 3.1, Kling 3.0 and Seedance 2.5 — the video models I would compare first right now.
- Runway — when you want more control around the video workflow, not just a generation button.
- ChatGPT, Gemini and Claude — for writing, documents, analysis and everyday work.
- Perplexity — when you need a fast map of a topic with sources attached.
The short map: what each tool is for
If you do not want to read the whole article, start here.
| Tool | What I would use it for first | Why it matters now |
|---|---|---|
| Higgsfield | Video, ads, visual projects | Several strong models plus workflow tools in one place |
| Nano Banana 2 / Pro | Images and editing | Iterative image editing in plain language |
| Veo 3.1 | Cinematic video | Audio, scene control and first/last-frame workflows |
| Seedance 2.5 | Complex motion | 30-second storytelling, precise reference control and editing |
| Kling 3.0 | Characters and stories | Scene continuity, native audio and clips up to 15 seconds |
| Runway Gen-4.5 | Directed video workflows | Strong instruction following and a mature toolset around generation |
| ChatGPT | General work | Files, projects, search and many everyday tasks in one place |
| Gemini | Google-heavy workflows | Deep integration with Google services and Google’s visual models |
| Claude | Long documents and careful editing | Strong context handling, writing and coding workflows |
| Perplexity | Research and discovery | Fast source-backed exploration of a topic |
What you can actually try for free
The most interesting AI tools are not all free, but you do not need to subscribe to everything just to see what is useful.
Nano Banana 2
Gemini offers Nano Banana 2 image generation without a paid Google AI plan. Nano Banana Pro is a paid-plan feature.
Google terms →Veo 3.1 in Flow
Users without Google AI Plus, Pro, or Ultra receive 50 free Flow credits per day, usable on the Veo 3.1 options available to free users.
Flow terms →Runway
The Free plan includes 125 one-time credits, enough to explore the interface and Gen-4 Turbo. Gen-4.5 is part of paid plans.
Runway pricing →ChatGPT
The Free tier includes chat, web search, file and image uploads, and image creation, with usage limits.
Free tier details →Claude
Claude still has a free version in supported regions. Usage is more limited than paid plans, but it is enough to evaluate the product on normal tasks.
Claude terms →Perplexity
Standard includes practically unlimited basic searches, a very small number of Pro Searches, and limited file uploads.
Perplexity plans →Plans and limits change frequently. This section was checked on August 10, 2026.
Images and video: where AI feels most alive right now
This is where the gap between a flashy demo and a useful tool becomes obvious very quickly.
1. Higgsfield — where I would start with modern AI video
Higgsfield is interesting because it is not tied to one model. You can build a visual project in one place and switch between Veo, Kling, Seedance and other models when a different scene needs a different strength.
That matters more than it sounds. One model may handle camera motion better, another may preserve a face more reliably, and a third may simply fit the mood of the shot. A shared workspace makes those choices much less painful.
2. Nano Banana 2 and Pro — most useful when you stop generating from scratch
The interesting part is not another text-to-image demo. It is taking an existing image and asking for a sequence of useful changes: remove a person in the background, swap an object, change clothing, add text or rebuild the composition.
I would treat Nano Banana 2 as the everyday option and Pro as the one to reach for when the job becomes more demanding: multiple references, detailed layouts, text inside the image or high-resolution output.
After generation, get the image ready to publish
Remove the background, reduce the file size, or clear EXIF metadata. Processing happens directly in your browser.
3. Veo 3.1 — when you want a scene, not just movement
Veo 3.1 remains one of the reference points for AI video, especially when native audio, first/last-frame control, scene extension and a more directed result matter.
A polished demo still proves very little. The useful test is how many attempts it takes to get the motion, face, camera and sound you actually wanted.
4. Seedance 2.5 — one of the most interesting options for complex motion
Seedance 2.5 pushes further into longer-form AI video: ByteDance now positions it for up to 30-second storytelling, more precise reference-video control and stronger editing. It can also extend a generation twice, which makes it more relevant when an idea needs more than a short isolated clip.
The real question is still consistency: can it hold the character, motion and cinematic intent across a longer sequence rather than only producing one impressive moment?
5. Kling 3.0 — a strong candidate for characters and connected scenes
Kling 3.0 puts more emphasis on native audio, longer clips and consistency across scenes. For a short story, that matters more than producing one beautiful isolated shot.
The interesting test is not whether it can make one good clip. It is whether the same character still looks like the same person three scenes later.
6. Runway Gen-4.5 — when you want more control around generation
Runway remains interesting because it has built a serious toolset around the generation step itself. Gen-4.5 focuses on following complex direction and camera choreography, while the broader platform is useful when a clip needs more than a single generation.
For work: four tools that still deserve a tab
Less spectacle, more tools you may actually keep open all day.
7. ChatGPT
My general-purpose pick. Writing, files, search, projects, analysis and a wide range of everyday tasks in one interface.
8. Gemini
The obvious choice if your work already lives in Google. The real value is the ecosystem around search, documents and Google’s image and video models.
9. Claude
Worth trying on long documents and careful editing. Give it your own substantial text and compare the result with ChatGPT instead of trusting a generic model leaderboard.
10. Perplexity
Useful as a first pass on an unfamiliar topic. It quickly builds a map and surfaces sources, but important claims still deserve a click through to the original source.
If you do not want ten AI subscriptions
Most people only need a small stack.
Video and visuals
Higgsfield + Nano Banana. One as the video workspace, one for image creation and editing.
Writing and projects
ChatGPT + Claude. A very broad setup with two different approaches to the same document or problem.
Research
Gemini + Perplexity. One fits naturally into Google-heavy work, the other is excellent for quick source discovery.
The simplest setup
ChatGPT + Higgsfield. One for everyday work, one for modern visual AI. That alone is enough to explore a huge part of the market.
Three quick tests that tell you more than a ranking
You do not need an evening with every product. Give competing tools the same job.
Where I would start
You do not need to try everything at once.
For the most interesting side of visual AI, open Higgsfield, try Nano Banana, then put Veo, Kling and Seedance against the same scene.
For work, start with ChatGPT or Claude. Add Gemini if you live in Google, and keep Perplexity nearby when you need source discovery.
Then ignore rankings for a moment and give the tools your own task. That is still the fastest way to find out which one is actually useful.
Keep going on Letomix
Choosing an AI tool is only the start: next you usually need to prepare the file or decide which product deserves a deeper look.
Veo 3.1 vs Kling 3.0 vs Seedance 2.5
Compare the three current video models by clip length, control, audio and practical workflow.
Compare the models →Higgsfield AI in 2026
See when a multi-model production workspace makes more sense than opening each video model directly.
Read the Higgsfield review →FAQ
What is the best AI tool in 2026?
There is no single winner. For visual AI I would start with Higgsfield and Nano Banana, compare Veo, Kling and Seedance for video, and choose between ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini for everyday work.
Veo, Kling or Seedance: which one should I use?
They have different strengths, so the fairest answer is to compare them on the same scene. Veo is strong on directed scenes and audio, Kling on characters and continuity, and Seedance on complex motion and multimodal inputs.
Nano Banana 2 or Nano Banana Pro?
Start with Nano Banana 2 for everyday image work. Pro makes more sense when the job is more demanding and preserving details, text or multiple references matters more.
Why are older popular AI tools missing?
Because Letomix does not keep a tool in a roundup just to make the list longer. A product stays only if there is a clear reason for readers to care about it now.