5 Free AI Text Generators I Actually Use (No Credit Card Required)

AI text generators have changed how we work. From writing emails to drafting entire blog posts, they’ve become an essential part of my daily workflow.

But with so many tools promising to deliver, which ones are worth your time? The truth is, you don’t need to pay for a subscription to get started. Many of the most powerful AI text generators offer a generous free version.

The key is knowing where to look and what each tool is best for.

I’ve tested dozens of these platforms, and I’ve narrowed it down to the five I use most often.

My Top Picks for Free AI Text Generation

Here’s a quick look at my favorite free tools and what makes each one stand out.

ChatGPT: The best all-purpose AI writer.
Google Gemini: The best for writing with real-time, up-to-date information.
Perplexity AI: The best for writing that requires research and sources.
Notion AI: The best for writing and organizing your thoughts in one place.
Microsoft Copilot: The best for writing inside the apps you already use.

1. ChatGPT

Why it’s my top pick: I have to start here. ChatGPT is the most well-known and versatile AI text generator available. Its free version, which runs on the powerful GPT-3.5 model, is more than enough for most people.

I use it for almost everything. Need a quick headline for a blog post? A first draft for an email? A creative story outline? ChatGPT handles it all with ease.

My favorite use case: I primarily use ChatGPT for brainstorming and generating creative content. When I have an idea for an article, I’ll ask it to create a few different outlines to help me get started. It’s like having a creative partner to bounce ideas off of.

What you should know: The free version of ChatGPT can be a bit slow during peak hours. If you’re using it in the middle of a workday, you might have to wait a moment for a response.

2. Google Gemini

Why it’s a runner-up: While ChatGPT is great for creative writing, Google Gemini is my go-to when I need up-to-date information.

Gemini’s free version is directly connected to Google’s search engine. This means it can pull in live, real-time data from the web.

My favorite use case: I use Gemini for writing about current events or when I need to incorporate the latest stats into my articles. I’ll ask it to summarize a recent study or a news story, and it provides a concise answer with links to its sources.

What you should know: The free version of Gemini isn’t always as conversational as ChatGPT. Its responses can be a bit more straightforward and factual, which is great for research but not always for creative writing.

3. Perplexity AI

Why it’s in the top 3: If you need to fact-check everything you write, Perplexity AI is the tool for you.

This platform combines an AI chat bot with a search engine. When it generates a response, it automatically includes citations and links to the web pages it used. This saves you from having to manually find and verify your sources.

My favorite use case: I use Perplexity AI for research-heavy articles. For example, if I’m writing about a scientific topic, I’ll use it to find key facts and studies. The built-in citations are a huge time-saver.

What you should know: Because its focus is on research, Perplexity AI is not the best for creative or imaginative tasks. It’s built for finding and summarizing information, not for generating new ideas.

4. Notion AI

Why it’s a productivity game-changer: Notion is a powerful workspace, and its built-in AI tool makes it even better.

Notion AI is an incredibly useful text generator because it works with your existing notes and documents. You can highlight a piece of text and ask the AI to summarize it, improve its tone, or turn it into a to-do list.

My favorite use case: I use Notion for all my project planning. I’ll type out a few quick notes for a meeting and then ask Notion AI to turn those notes into a concise summary or a list of action items. It keeps me organized and saves me from having to reformat my notes manually.

What you should know: You can only use Notion AI inside the Notion app, so it’s not a standalone text generator.

5. Microsoft Copilot

Why it’s a solid choice: Microsoft Copilot is a powerful AI tool that’s built directly into Microsoft’s suite of products. It’s powered by OpenAI’s latest models, making it a very capable text generator.

My favorite use case: I use Copilot to write professional emails and reports. When I’m in Outlook, I can ask it to draft a response to a client or summarize a long email chain. It saves me from having to switch between apps and keeps me productive.

What you should know: While it’s a great tool, it’s most useful if you’re already a heavy user of Microsoft products. Its full power is unlocked when you use it within the Microsoft ecosystem.

Your Next Step: Stop Thinking, Start Doing

The most important thing to remember is that you don’t need to be an expert to use these tools. The best way to learn is by simply picking one and trying it out.