AI for Everyone: The Only 12 Tools You’ll Actually Open Daily (2025 Refresh)

👋 Last updated: October 2025 – changelog at the bottom.

I test AI tools so you don’t have to. After deleting the hypeware, these 12 stayed on my phone & laptop because I open them almost every day. No affiliate links, no dev speak. Pick three that solve your biggest pain, run the mini-routine, and thank yourself later.

The 3-Second Picker

My 10-Minute Daily AI Routine (Saves ~2 hrs)

1. Morning commute (2 min) – Ask Perplexity “What happened in {my industry} overnight?” → ad-free summary.
2. Plan day (2 min) – Reclaim auto-blocks focus time around my calendar; no meeting tetris.
3. Write / reply (3 min) – ChatGPT first draft → I add human tone.
4. Meet (live) – OtterPilot records + summarises; I stay present.
5. Before bed (1 min) – Drop photos into Remini; family album done.

Total active time: ≈ 10 min. The apps do the heavy lifting while I work, eat, sleep.

Tool Deep-Dive (30-Second Version)

NotebookLM

Turn 50-page reports into a 10-min podcast with two hosts who ask each other the questions you forgot to ask. Great for walking meetings. Tip: Paste your next presentation PDF → generate audio → listen on the way to the meeting.

Perplexity

Search engine that quotes real sources (no SEO fluff). Switch to “Academic” for papers or “Social” for Reddit threads. Tip: Use voice search on mobile; faster than typing.

ChatGPT (GPT-4o mini)

Still the best blank page killer. Ask for “bad first draft, casual tone, bullet points”—easier to edit than perfect prose. Tip: Custom instructions: “I write in UK English, short sentences, emoji-free” → saves editing time.

Gamma.app

Type a one-sentence brief → gets outline → auto-builds slick slides. Export to PPT or PDF. Tip: Use “Zen” theme for investor decks; looks expensive.

OtterPilot

Joins Zoom/Meet/Teams, records + transcribes + emails summary to attendees. Tip: Say “Action @Name deadline” out loud; Otter tags it automatically.

ElevenLabs

Paste text → pick voice → download MP3. New “Speech-to-Speech” lets you record your voice then fix stumbles without re-recording. Tip: Keep one personal voice clone for Loom videos; saves retakes.

Adobe Express AI

Text-to-image and text-to-template (flyers, Reels, logos). Free tier = no watermark. Tip: Start from “Remove background” → add new AI background → post to Instagram in-app.

Glasp

YouTube summary in one click; saves highlights to a public page (great for sharing). Tip: Highlight any article line → Glasp adds timestamp → exports to Notion later.

Reclaim.ai

Auto-blocks focus, lunch, workout around existing meetings; moves with conflicts. Tip: Set “Defend 2 mornings/week for deep work” → Reclaim guards them like a bouncer.

YesPlz

Upload selfie → AI suggests three outfits using clothes already in your closet (or links to buy). Tip: Use “work casual” filter → Monday morning decision = 5 seconds.

Arc Max

Browser with built-in “Ask” sidebar: ChatGPT, Perplexity, Grammarly in one panel. Tip: Cmd-T → “Ask: summarise this page in bullet points” → no copy-paste.

Remini

Uncle’s 1998 scanned photo? One tap → HD, colour-corrected, printable. Tip: Batch 10 photos before bed; download next morning.

Living Changelog

Next update: December 2025.