Artificial intelligence tools are transforming businesses and creating unprecedented earning opportunities across industries. Navigating the plethora of options, however, can be overwhelming. In a recent video, entrepreneur and AI expert Dan Martell evaluated 21 popular AI tools based on their potential to generate income and streamline workflows in the year 2026. With firsthand experience in testing over 500 AI tools through his firm, Martell Ventures, here’s an in-depth analysis of his rankings.

The Best AI Tools to Make Money in 2026

1. ChatGPT by OpenAI (S Tier)

At the top of the list lies ChatGPT, a conversational AI model that has revolutionized everything from writing to coding. Used by nearly 700 million people weekly, its versatility and ease of use make it invaluable for businesses across industries. Many organizations use ChatGPT for content creation, customer support automation, and even programming assistance. With OpenAI’s extensive resources and continued advancements, ChatGPT is the most reliable and scalable tool to grow your professional or business income.

2. Grock by X.AI (S Tier)

The brainchild of Elon Musk’s X.AI, Grock has quickly ascended to be a strong competitor to ChatGPT. Billed as a powerful tool for accuracy and in-depth research, Grock is especially attractive to entrepreneurs willing to pay for its premium version, priced at $300 per month. Its rapid progression and focus on first principles make it a long-term player in the AI landscape, securing its spot just behind ChatGPT in the ranking.

3. Granola.ai (S Tier)

Granola.ai is an AI productivity tool that revolutionizes note-taking and call recording. It captures meeting notes seamlessly and works across several video platforms, making it a favorite among tech professionals. Its ability to automatically generate clear recaps and action points ensures no key information gets lost. For busy professionals or those who struggle to take organized notes, Granola.ai stands out as a valuable assistant.

4. Zapier (S Tier)

An established leader in workflow automation, Zapier integrates with over 6,000 apps and requires no coding knowledge. This tool has been instrumental for businesses and agencies looking to streamline processes and save time. Whether you're automating email follow-ups or task reminders, Zapier is almost a necessary tool for modern digital operations.

5. Gamma.app (S Tier)

Gamma.app is a unique design tool that acts as a virtual designer for businesses. Specializing in creating professional reports, proposals, and presentations, Gamma is user-friendly (9/10 on ease of use) and offers high utility. Entrepreneurs and small businesses can quickly elevate their visual communication game with this tool.

---

Other High-Ranking AI Tools

Runway ML (B Tier)

Runway ML is an AI video generation tool that businesses heavily rely on for creating marketing videos, walkthroughs, and training content. While the potential to create value is clear, the tool requires a steeper learning curve, making it most suitable for experienced video creators.

11 Labs (A Tier)

11 Labs specializes in creating hyper-realistic AI-generated voices. This tool is particularly popular among content creators who need voiceovers for videos or other creative projects. The technology allows small corrections in recordings without re-entering a studio, saving time and money.

HeyGen (B Tier)

HeyGen enables the creation of AI-powered avatar videos using text prompts, making it a solid choice for training and marketing videos. It’s easy to use and highly accessible but faces increasing competition in its niche.

Leonardo.ai (B Tier)

This tool excels at creating concept art and branded visuals, making it a go-to for designers. While its outputs are vibrant and versatile, the occasional inconsistencies and its niche appeal keep it from achieving broader applicability.

Perplexity.ai (A Tier)

As one of the earliest AI-driven search engines, Perplexity provides a unique feature: verified sources, which ensure the accuracy of search results. While it’s slightly niche, researchers who depend heavily on reliable references find this tool incredibly beneficial.

---

AI Tools With Limited Use Cases

Notion AI (C Tier)

Notion AI is an assistant tool for creating organized workspaces and taking notes, yet it falls short in functionality compared to rising competitors. While it nicely integrates into the main Notion platform, it may not be indispensable for most businesses.

Fixer.ai (C Tier)

Aimed at helping users manage their inboxes with streamlined categorization and productivity features, Fixer.ai presents itself as useful but doesn’t offer significant revenue opportunities for freelancers or businesses planning to resell its functionality.

Notebook LM (C Tier)

Developed by Google, Notebook LM is a digital research assistant specializing in summarizing documents and even creating interactive conversations based on textual input. While innovative, it is still limited to niche users like researchers and academics.

---

Key Takeaways for 2026

1. Start with essential tools. If you’re just beginning to explore the possibilities of AI, tools like ChatGPT, Grock, Granola.ai, and Zapier are excellent investments for businesses of all sizes.

2. Specialized tools can open freelance opportunities. Help businesses set up systems using platforms like HeyGen, 11 Labs, or Runway ML to create videos, voiceovers, and automation workflows. These tools are especially promising for content creators and designers.

3. Prioritize scalability and potential. Tools such as ChatGPT and Grock continue to evolve rapidly, while open-source solutions like N8N are great for developers looking to customize workflows without the associated licensing fees.

4. Experiment with niche tools. Platforms like BuddyPro.ai or Leonardo.ai are promising but work best for specific use cases. It might make sense to dabble in these tools if they align with your business needs.

The future of making money with AI is expansive, but the success of any tool largely depends on how effectively it is integrated into existing workflows. Those looking to harness AI for profitability should focus on building skills and strategies that complement these powerful technologies.

---

FAQ

What is the best AI tool to make money in 2026?

According to the rankings, OpenAI's ChatGPT leads the pack. It's a powerful, versatile tool for business growth and income generation, offering use cases in writing, coding, automation, and customer support.

Is it worth learning to use AI tools for business in 2026?

Yes. AI tools can automate workflows, save time, enhance productivity, and open up new revenue streams. Tools like Zapier and ChatGPT can revolutionize how businesses operate by optimizing processes and cutting costs.

What AI tools are best for designers?

For designers, Leonardo.ai and Gamma.app stand out. Leonardo.ai is great for generating branded visuals and concept art, while Gamma.app helps create visually appealing presentations and proposals seamlessly.

Which AI tools are suitable for freelance work?

HeyGen, 11 Labs, and Runway ML are excellent for freelancers specializing in content creation, video generation, and voiceover projects. These tools can be leveraged to offer services to businesses at scale.

Is it difficult to get started with AI tools?

No. Ease of use is a common feature in most of the top AI tools, with ChatGPT often cited as the simplest platform to learn. Many tools require little to no technical background to start using them effectively.

---

Investing time to learn and apply these AI tools could prove to be a game-changer in 2026’s economy. As the landscape continues to evolve, adaptability and integration will be the keys to unlocking their full potential.