live·260+ tools indexed·updated daily·review methodology
// the engineer's directory of AI · 263+ tools

Every AI tool
that actually ships.

A full-depth directory with ratings, pricing, and categories for 263+ AI products. Filter by 14 categories, compare head-to-head, skip the hype cycle.

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quick:coding toolsfree toolsbest for writingcompare toolsalternativesmethodologylatest news
TOOLS INDEXED
263
CATEGORIES
14
FREE TOOLS
19
FEATURED
8
COMPARISONS
252
Our product · AIFans API
Top AI models, one API key

DeepSeek, GLM, Kimi, MiniMax and Hunyuan through one OpenAI- and Anthropic-compatible API, below the official prices. Pay as you go, no subscription.

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[01]editor's picks

Worth your time this month

all tools →
№ 01 · EDITOR'S PICK
D

DeepSeek

Chinese AI lab whose DeepSeek-V4 models deliver near-frontier reasoning at a fraction of Western prices. Free chat app, 1M-token context, open weights and off-peak API discounts.
llmfreemium
№ 02 · NOTABLE
B

Bolt.new

StackBlitz's in-browser AI development agent. Writes, runs and deploys full-stack apps from a prompt using WebContainers, with no local setup at all.
codingfreemium
№ 03 · NOTABLE
C

ChatGPT

OpenAI's AI assistant, now running the GPT-5.6 family — Sol for frontier reasoning, Terra for everyday work and Luna for cheap high-volume tasks. Writing, coding, research, vision, voice and agents in one place.
llmfreemium
№ 04 · NOTABLE
C

Claude

Anthropic's AI assistant built on the Claude 5 family — Fable 5, Opus 5 and Sonnet 5, plus Haiku 4.5. Best-in-class at long-form reasoning, document analysis and agentic coding, with Claude Code included on every paid plan.
llmfreemium
[02]full index

The directory

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263 / 263 toolssort:
$ find
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tool
category
pricing
rating
01
DeepSeekPICK
Chinese AI lab whose DeepSeek-V4 models deliver near-frontier reasoning at a fraction of Western prices. Free chat app, 1M-token context, open weights and off-peak API discounts.
llm
Freemium
4.6
02
Bolt.newPICK
StackBlitz's in-browser AI development agent. Writes, runs and deploys full-stack apps from a prompt using WebContainers, with no local setup at all.
coding
Freemium
4.6
03
ChatGPTPICK
OpenAI's AI assistant, now running the GPT-5.6 family — Sol for frontier reasoning, Terra for everyday work and Luna for cheap high-volume tasks. Writing, coding, research, vision, voice and agents in one place.
llm
Freemium
4.8
04
ClaudePICK
Anthropic's AI assistant built on the Claude 5 family — Fable 5, Opus 5 and Sonnet 5, plus Haiku 4.5. Best-in-class at long-form reasoning, document analysis and agentic coding, with Claude Code included on every paid plan.
llm
Freemium
4.7
05
MidjourneyPICK
The reference AI image generator for professional creatives. V8.1 adds faster generation, HD 2K output and stronger small-detail retention, on plans from $10 to $120 a month.
image generation
Paid
4.9
06
GitHub CopilotPICK
GitHub's AI pair programmer, now agent-first. Agent mode is GA in VS Code and JetBrains, and paid plans let you pick between GPT-5.4, GPT-5.6 Sol, Claude Opus 4.6 and Gemini.
coding
Paid
4.6
07
Perplexity AIPICK
AI answer engine that cites its sources, now built around the free Comet AI browser. Pro unlocks 300+ Pro searches a day across GPT-5.6, Claude Opus 4.8 and Gemini 3.5 Pro.
search
Freemium
4.6
08
Google GeminiPICK
Google's multimodal AI assistant. Gemini 3.1 Pro handles deep reasoning while the fast Gemini 3.6 and 3.7 Flash models power everyday tasks, wired into Search, Workspace, Android and Chrome.
llm
Freemium
4.5
09
Magnific AI
AI-powered image upscaler and enhancer that hallucinates realistic details to transform low-res images into 4K+ masterpieces.
image generation
Paid
4.6
10
Higgsfield
AI-powered video creation platform that transforms text prompts into high-quality videos instantly. Ideal for marketers, creators, and businesses seeking rapid video production.
video
Freemium
4.3
11
Veo
Google DeepMind's video model. Veo 3.1 generates 4K and 1080p video with native audio in landscape and portrait, and Veo 3.1 Lite covers cost-sensitive work.
video
Freemium
4.5
12
Seedance
AI-powered platform for generating high-quality, consistent character dance videos from text or image prompts.
video
Freemium
4.3
13
Recraft
AI design tool for generating and editing vector graphics, icons, and illustrations with precise brand control.
design
Freemium
4.3
14
Reve AI
Image generator known for exceptional prompt adherence, with the cheapest paid tier in the category at $5/month and a genuinely strong free plan.
image generation
Freemium
4.3
15
Topaz Video AI
AI-powered video upscaler and enhancer for restoring, sharpening, and increasing frame rates in footage.
video
Paid
4.3
16
Cartwheel
An AI-powered design tool that generates editable UI components and design systems directly from text prompts for rapid prototyping.
design
Freemium
4.3
17
Meshy AI
Generate high-quality 3D models and textures from text or images in seconds using advanced AI for rapid prototyping and game development.
design
Freemium
4.5
18
Tripo AI
Generate high-quality 3D models from text or images in seconds using advanced AI, ideal for rapid prototyping and game asset creation.
design
Freemium
4.5
19
Stable Audio
Generate high-quality music and sound effects from text prompts using advanced diffusion models for creators.
audio
Freemium
4.3
20
Cassette AI
Generate full songs with vocals, lyrics, and instrumentation from text prompts. Ideal for creators needing instant, royalty-free music.
audio
Freemium
4.3
view all 263 tools →
[03]ai news

What changed this week

all news →
[featured] AI NEWS

After the midterms, things are looking rocky for Elon Musk and data centers

On Equity, we unpacked what the midterms mean for the tech industry.

TechCrunch·Nov 7read →
AI NEWS

Megaspeed exec was recruited to spy on Nvidia CEO, according to US intelligence memo

TechCrunch · Nov 7
AI NEWS

Crusoe sells troubled Wyoming data center project to Google

TechCrunch · Nov 7
AI NEWS

NYT Cooking’s AI assistant saved my weeknight chicken, but almost ruined my cake

The Verge · Nov 7
AI NEWS

The US let Nvidia sell chips to an empty office in China

The Verge · Nov 7
[04]perspectives + blog

Long reads from the desk

perspectives →blog →
[BLOG] by editors

Best AI Music Generator 2026 for Composing Adaptive Soundtracks for VR Experience Environments

We put 12 AI music tools through 150+ VR‑specific tasks and uncovered surprising performance gaps. This guide shows which generators deliver real‑time adaptive soundtracks without breaking your budget.

Jul 27, 2026
[BLOG] by editors

Best AI Image Generator 2026 for Creating Stylized NFT Profile Pictures with Consistent Traits

Creating NFT avatars that share a visual DNA is now easier than ever. We rank the top AI image generators of 2026 that deliver consistent, stylized profile pictures at scale.

Jul 27, 2026
[BLOG] by editors

Best AI Video Generator 2026 for Turning 2D Manga Panels into Fluid Anime Fight Scenes

By 2026, AI video generators can turn static manga panels into fluid anime fight scenes in seconds. We tested 18 tools on 500+ panels to find the best options for creators, studios, and hobbyists.

Jul 26, 2026
[BLOG] by editors

Best AI Image Generator 2026 for Designing Photorealistic Product Mockups for Shopify Stores

Struggling to create high-quality product mockups for your Shopify store? Discover the best AI image generators of 2026 that turn rough sketches into photorealistic mockups in minutes, tested across 150+ real-world tasks.

Jul 26, 2026
[05]head-to-head

Comparisons, not vibes

all comparisons →
→ COMP №001
chatgptvsclaude

Claude wins on coding precision and long-document analysis (200K context). ChatGPT wins on ecosystem — DALL-E 3, voice mode, and 3M+ GPT plugins. Both cost $20/month.

read comparison →
→ COMP №002
chatgptvsgoogle gemini

Gemini wins for Google Workspace users — it lives inside Gmail, Docs, and Drive at no extra cost. ChatGPT wins on standalone AI quality, ecosystem depth, and DALL-E image generation. Both have strong free tiers.

read comparison →
→ COMP №003
midjourneyvsdalle 3

Midjourney v6.1 produces more artistic, aesthetically polished images with simple prompts. DALL-E 3 is more accurate to complex text prompts and comes bundled inside ChatGPT Plus. Your choice depends on whether you prioritize aesthetic quality or prompt accuracy.

read comparison →
[06]use-case finder

Best AI for your job

all use cases →
BEST FOR →
Writing
BEST FOR →
Coding
BEST FOR →
Students
BEST FOR →
Small Business
BEST FOR →
Marketing
BEST FOR →
Image Generation
BEST FOR →
Video Editing
BEST FOR →
Research
[07]for makers

Built something worth listing?

We review every tool submitted to the directory. No fees, no pay-to-play — just a careful read and an honest write-up. If it's good, it gets in.

submit your tool →how we review