Free AI Tools I Recommend (As a Small Business Owner)

Running a small business often means doing it all — marketing, admin, product development, customer service, the lot. And while AI can feel like something for the big companies with even bigger budgets, I’ve found a handful of free tools that genuinely help, without needing a degree in computer science to use.

In this post, I’m sharing 5 free AI tools I use regularly. These aren’t shiny, complicated platforms that promise the moon. They’re simple, useful, and most importantly — they actually save me time or improve what I’m already doing.

Why I Look for Free Tools First

Let’s be honest: small business budgets are tight. Especially if you’re just starting out or still in the early-growth phase. Every tool we pay for has to pull its weight.

So before I subscribe to anything, I try the free version first. These five tools all offer genuinely usable free tiers — and in most cases, that’s more than enough for a solo business owner like me.

1. Canva (with Magic Write)

🎨 Best for: Creating social media posts, flyers, email headers, and more

I’ve been using Canva for years — but recently discovered their Magic Write AI assistant. It can help generate headlines, product descriptions, Instagram captions, and blog outlines within Canva.

As someone who’s often staring at a blank page or running out of ideas after a long day, this is a godsend.

✅ Why I love it:

• I don’t have to switch platforms to get writing support

• It keeps my brand consistent with templates and styles

• The free version is generous for most solo business needs

2. ChatGPT (Free tier)

🧠 Best for: Quick brainstorming, idea validation, and “can you just help me rephrase this?”

ChatGPT is my go-to digital brainstorm buddy. Whether I’m stuck on a headline, trying to simplify a product description, or just figuring out how to respond to a tricky customer email — it’s fast, helpful, and gets me unstuck.

✅ How I use it:

• To write first drafts I can tweak later

• To ask “dumb” questions I don’t want to Google

• To find new ideas when I’m in a creative slump

🎯 Tip: Always fact-check what it gives you. It’s smart, but not always accurate.

3. Grammarly (Free plan)

✍️ Best for: Polishing product listings, emails, and blog posts

If you’ve ever typed out an Instagram caption only to notice a typo after you’ve posted, this one’s for you. Grammarly catches the grammar slip-ups, but it also helps with tone and clarity.

The free version covers the essentials and works right in my browser or email.

✅ What I like:

• It saves me from embarrassing typos

• It gives helpful tone suggestions (great for customer comms!)

• It’s completely plug-and-play

4. Trello + Butler Automation

📋 Best for: Planning your week and automating simple tasks

Trello is my virtual whiteboard — I use it to plan content, map out product launches, and keep track of customer requests. But what many don’t know is that Trello has a free automation tool called Butler, which lets you automate things like:

• Moving a card when a task is done

• Adding due dates automatically

• Creating daily “to-do” lists without lifting a finger

I didn’t think I’d use this — but now I rely on it.

✅ Why it’s great for non-techy people:

• It works off simple logic (when this happens, do that)

• It saves you from repetitive admin tasks

• It’s built right into Trello

5. Pictory

🎥 Best for: Turning blog posts or scripts into short videos

Pictory lets you take a chunk of text (like a blog post or product guide) and turns it into a short, branded video. You pick a style, it picks visuals and music. You can edit it before publishing.

It’s not perfect, but it’s a fantastic way to get into video marketing without spending hours filming.

✅ How I use it:

• To repurpose blog posts into short Instagram Reels or TikToks

• To explain product features quickly

• To create videos that feel pro — even though it’s just me

Are These Tools Really Free?

Yes! All of the tools above have free plans that I’ve used successfully. A few do have paid versions with more features, but I’ve found the basics are more than enough when you’re starting out or working solo.

Here’s a quick overview:

Final Thoughts: Don’t Be Afraid to Try

The biggest hurdle I had with AI tools was thinking they were “too techy” or just not for me. But once I tried one — and it actually helped — I was hooked.

You don’t need to change how you work overnight. Just pick one tool from this list, try it out this week, and see if it makes something easier.

And if it doesn’t work for you? No harm done. That’s the beauty of free tools — zero risk, lots of potential reward.

Let me know if you try any of these, or if you’ve found your own must-have free AI tools. I’m always looking for smart (and affordable) ways to work better!