The best AI tools for marketing and small businesses
You don't need an agency or a big budget to market a small business well. With a few free tools you can design posts, edit short videos, write captions, show up on Google Maps and stay in touch with customers. Every tool below has a free plan that is enough to get started.
Create content
Posters, posts, Reels and the words that go with them.
Best for designs and social posts
1. Canva by Canva
Design posters, social media posts, flyers, menus and short videos from thousands of templates. Its AI tools (Magic Studio) write captions, generate images, remove backgrounds and resize one design for every platform.
- Thousands of ready-made templates for any occasion
- AI writing, image generation and background removal built in
- Generous free plan
Watch out: The free plan includes only a limited number of AI uses, and some templates and elements need Canva Pro.
Price: Free plan with limited AI use; Canva Pro for more AI and premium contentOn: Web, iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac
Best free editor for Reels
2. Edits by Instagram (Meta)
Instagram's free video editor for making Reels and other short videos on your phone. It adds automatic captions, cuts out the background behind a person, and can animate a still photo with AI, then posts straight to Instagram.
- Free, with no watermark on exported videos
- Automatic captions and AI effects
- Made for Reels, so sizes and formats are right
Watch out: Phone only. Meta has said some AI features may become paid in future.
Price: FreeOn: iPhone, Android
Best for captions, ads and product descriptions
3. ChatGPT by OpenAI
The most widely used AI chatbot, and the easiest place to start. It handles everyday questions, writing, analysis, images and voice conversations in one app. OpenAI is now rolling out its newest model, GPT-6, to everyone in ChatGPT.
- Strong at almost everything, with the biggest range of features
- New "Intelligent UI" answers can include visuals and interactive elements
- Voice mode for hands-free conversations
Watch out: Free-plan limits are tighter on the newest model at busy times.
Price: Free plan; paid plans from about $20/month (varies by country)On: Web, iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac
Best for longer copy in your own voice
4. Claude by Anthropic
A thoughtful, careful assistant that is especially strong at writing, analysing long documents and coding. Independent benchmarks from Artificial Analysis currently rate Anthropic's Claude Opus 5.5 and Sonnet 5.5 as the most capable AI models available.
- Top-rated model quality in independent benchmarks (October 2026)
- Natural, well-structured writing and editing
- Handles very long documents and complex coding tasks
Watch out: The free plan has lower usage limits than some rivals; heavy users will want a paid plan.
Price: Free plan; Pro from $20/month, Max plans for heavy useOn: Web, iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac
Get found and talk to customers
Be where customers look, and answer them quickly.
Best free way to get found locally
5. Google Business Profile by Google
Your free listing on Google Search and Maps: address, opening hours, photos, phone number and customer reviews. When someone nearby searches for what you sell, this is often the first thing they see.
- Puts you on Google Maps and local search
- Collect and reply to customer reviews
- Completely free
Watch out: It is not an AI tool, but it is the foundation: AI chatbots can help you write the description and review replies. Keep hours and details up to date.
Price: FreeOn: Web, iPhone, Android
Best for chatting with customers in India
6. WhatsApp Business by Meta
The free WhatsApp app for businesses. Set up a business profile and product catalogue, greet customers automatically and reply even when you are away. In India, Meta is adding payments, calling and AI that can answer common customer questions.
- Where Indian customers already are
- Catalogue, quick replies and automatic greetings
- Free to download and use
Watch out: AI features are still rolling out and may not be on your account yet. Paid extras such as Meta Verified cost a monthly fee.
Price: Free app; optional paid extrasOn: iPhone, Android, Web, Windows, Mac
Keep in touch
Remember every customer and bring them back.
Best free customer list and follow-ups
7. HubSpot free CRM by HubSpot
A free place to keep track of customers and leads: contacts, deals, emails and follow-ups in one list instead of scattered spreadsheets. Its AI assistant, Breeze, can draft emails and summarise a customer's history.
- Free forever, not a trial
- Contacts, deals and email tracking in one place
- Basic AI help with emails and summaries
Watch out: The free plan is for a couple of users and carries HubSpot branding. Automation and most AI features need paid plans, which get expensive quickly.
Price: Free plan; paid plans for automation and advanced AIOn: Web, iPhone, Android
Best free email newsletters
8. Brevo by Brevo
Send email newsletters and offers to your customers, with ready-made templates and an AI assistant that helps write subject lines and emails. Higher paid plans add SMS and WhatsApp campaigns.
- Free forever plan, no card needed
- Up to 300 emails a day for free
- Drag-and-drop editor and ready-made templates
Watch out: Free emails carry a Brevo logo. Only email people who agreed to hear from you.
Price: Free plan (300 emails a day); paid plans from 5,000 emails a monthOn: Web
How to choose
- Just starting out? Set up Google Business Profile and WhatsApp Business first. Both are free and are where most local customers find and contact you.
- Posting on Instagram or Facebook? Design in Canva, edit Reels in Edits, and ask ChatGPT or Claude for captions and hashtags.
- Growing a customer list? HubSpot keeps track of who is who; Brevo sends them offers by email.
Tips for using AI in marketing
- Give the AI details. “Write an Instagram caption for our new mango kulfi, ₹60, available this weekend at our Andheri shop, friendly tone” works far better than “write a caption”.
- Keep your own voice. Edit AI drafts so they sound like you. Customers notice when every post reads the same.
- Check claims and prices before anything goes out. AI can invent details.
- Respect customers’ privacy. Only message or email people who agreed to hear from you.
- We left out CapCut, a popular video editor, because it is banned in India.
How we pick
Features and prices come from each tool’s official pages, checked on the date shown on each card, and we only include tools that independent reviews also rate well. No tool pays to be listed. See how we pick across all jobs.