AI Stack

Choose the tool for the job, not the hype.

A source-checked guide to current AI tools for research, building software, automation, design, voice, and video.

Sources checked . 28 tools across 6 categories.

This is a curated guide, not a popularity ranking, benchmark, or claim that Soumik personally uses every tool. Capabilities, pricing, availability, and data policies change; check the linked official sources before subscribing.

Everyday AI & research

Think, write, search the web, and work with your own sources.

ChatGPT

Best for: A general-purpose starting point

Writing, research, file analysis, and multimodal conversations in one assistant.

Watch for: Verify factual answers and check workspace data controls.

Official source for ChatGPT

Claude

Best for: Writing, documents, and structured thinking

An assistant for drafting, analysing information, and working through complex tasks.

Watch for: Review outputs; connected tools and actions need appropriate permissions.

Official source for Claude

Gemini

Best for: Google-connected and multimodal work

Google’s assistant for research, writing, images, and work across supported Google services.

Watch for: Capabilities depend on your plan, account, and region.

Official source for Gemini

Perplexity

Best for: Web research with sources

Search-led answers and research workflows with links you can follow back to the source.

Watch for: A citation is a starting point, not proof that an answer is correct.

Official source for Perplexity

Coding & building

From a first prototype to working on an existing codebase.

Cursor

Best for: An AI coding environment

A coding agent and editor for navigating a repository and making coordinated changes.

Watch for: Review diffs, run tests, and control access to production resources.

Official source for Cursor

Claude Code

Best for: Agentic work in an existing repository

Anthropic’s coding agent for implementation, debugging, and testing from supported terminal, IDE, and web workflows.

Watch for: Set tool permissions and review changes before merging.

Official source for Claude Code

OpenAI Codex

Best for: Delegating coding tasks

OpenAI’s coding agent for building features, reviewing code, and working across software projects.

Watch for: Agent-generated code still needs security review and tests.

Official source for OpenAI Codex

GitHub Copilot

Best for: AI assistance around GitHub and your editor

Coding assistance and agent workflows for development teams already working in the GitHub ecosystem.

Watch for: Check organisational policies, permissions, and suggested code.

Official source for GitHub Copilot

Replit Agent

Best for: Building and publishing an app in one workspace

Describe an app, iterate on its implementation, and work with development and publishing tools in the same environment.

Watch for: Test the app, configure access carefully, and monitor usage and publishing costs.

Official source for Replit Agent

Lovable

Best for: Prompt-driven web products

Describe a website, internal tool, or product and iterate on a working application.

Watch for: Validate authentication, database rules, and generated business logic.

Official source for Lovable

Bolt.new

Best for: App and website prototypes

A conversational builder for turning an idea into an app or website and iterating on it.

Watch for: Review generated integrations and test important user journeys.

Official source for Bolt.new

v0

Best for: Web interfaces and application starting points

Vercel’s AI builder with templates and prompt-driven workflows for components, dashboards, and apps.

Watch for: Inspect the code and confirm backend behaviour, not just the preview.

Official source for v0

Google AI Studio

Best for: Experimenting with Gemini and its API

Explore Google’s models, prototype prompts and applications, and start building with the Gemini API.

Watch for: Check model availability, quotas, and data-use terms for your account.

Official source for Google AI Studio

Work & automation

Connect knowledge, apps, and repeatable business workflows.

n8n

Best for: Workflows with custom logic

Connect apps, APIs, and AI agents in workflows suited to technical teams.

Watch for: Handle credentials, retries, approvals, and workflow failures explicitly.

Official source for n8n

Zapier

Best for: Connecting everyday business apps

Build automations and AI workflows across supported applications without starting from custom integration code.

Watch for: Check task consumption and put approval steps before consequential actions.

Official source for Zapier

Make

Best for: Visual multi-step automation

Build and manage integrations, automations, and AI agents through visual workflows.

Watch for: Test branches, error paths, and operation limits.

Official source for Make

Notion AI

Best for: AI alongside team knowledge

Search, summarise, take meeting notes, and work with AI in a Notion workspace.

Watch for: Workspace permissions and the quality of source documents matter.

Official source for Notion AI

Design & presentations

Create visual drafts, editable assets, and clear presentations.

Canva AI

Best for: Editable visual content

AI-assisted design, writing, and creative workflows inside Canva’s visual workspace.

Watch for: Check asset licensing and refine generated layouts to fit your brand.

Official source for Canva AI

Adobe Firefly

Best for: Generative assets in creative workflows

Generate and edit images and other creative assets using Adobe’s tools and supported models.

Watch for: Review the terms for the specific model and intended use.

Official source for Adobe Firefly

Midjourney

Best for: Visual exploration and image creation

Image and video generation for concepts, visual directions, and creative experimentation.

Watch for: Check privacy settings and commercial-use terms before using outputs.

Official source for Midjourney

Gamma

Best for: Presentations and visual documents

Turn a brief into presentations, documents, and other visual communication formats.

Watch for: Verify content, polish layouts, and check exports before presenting.

Official source for Gamma

Voice & audio

Speech, Indian-language workflows, and music creation.

ElevenLabs

Best for: Speech, narration, and voice agents

Tools for generating speech and building voice experiences across supported languages.

Watch for: Voice cloning needs permission; audition the actual language and workflow.

Official source for ElevenLabs

Sarvam AI

Best for: Indian-language AI and speech

An India-focused AI platform with language and speech capabilities for applications and voice workflows.

Watch for: Validate pronunciation and quality with native speakers for each language.

Official source for Sarvam AI

Suno

Best for: Music drafts and song creation

Create and refine music from prompts using AI music-generation and editing tools.

Watch for: Check licensing, ownership terms, and rights before releasing a track.

Official source for Suno

Video

Generate footage, edit recordings, and produce explainers.

Runway

Best for: Generative video and visual production

Create video from prompts and iterate on visual concepts and footage.

Watch for: Expect iteration and check rights for inputs and outputs.

Official source for Runway

Descript

Best for: Editing recorded audio and video

A text-oriented editor and AI co-editor for recordings, podcasts, and video.

Watch for: Review transcript edits and obtain consent for voice or speaker features.

Official source for Descript

Synthesia

Best for: Avatar-led explainers and training

Create presenter-led videos and training content with AI video tools.

Watch for: Disclose synthetic presenters and check likeness and voice permissions.

Official source for Synthesia

Start with a workflow

Research and everyday work

Start with one general assistant. Add source-led research when you need evidence, or a notebook when you already have the documents.

Build a product

Choose an app builder for a first version, or a coding agent for an existing repository. You do not need every coding subscription.

Automate operations

Choose one automation platform. Begin with a low-risk workflow, add logging and approvals, then connect your team’s knowledge.

Create and communicate

Match the tool to the output: visual assets, slides, edited recordings, or narration. Keep factual review and rights checks in the process.

Sources and selection

The Top 100 Gen AI Consumer Apps — 7th Edition

Andreessen Horowitz · 2026-10-05

Consumer discovery context, not a ranking of this directory or evidence of Soumik’s personal usage.

Notes on AI Apps in 2026

Andreessen Horowitz · 2026-01-08

Context on agent-oriented work and coding tools. Individual capabilities are linked to official product sources.