Best AI Apps in 2026: Top Apps for iPhone and Android
The best AI apps for your phone in 2026. Chatbots, image generators, productivity tools, and more. Tested recommendations for iOS and Android.
Your phone is now an AI powerhouse. The best AI apps put ChatGPT-level capabilities in your pocket.
But the app stores are flooded with garbage. Fake apps, cash grabs, and misleading names everywhere.
Here are the apps actually worth installing.
Best AI Chatbot Apps
ChatGPT (Official App)
Available: iOS, Android
What you get:
- Full ChatGPT experience on mobile
- Voice conversations
- Image analysis with camera
- GPT-4 access (Plus subscribers)
- Syncs with web version
Why it is great: The real ChatGPT, not a knockoff. Voice mode is surprisingly natural for hands-free use.
Watch out: Many fake "ChatGPT" apps exist. Only download from OpenAI.
Cost: Free with optional Plus subscription ($20/month)
For tips, see our ChatGPT tips guide.
Claude (Official App)
Available: iOS, Android
What you get:
- Claude AI on mobile
- Long conversations maintained
- File upload and analysis
- Clean, simple interface
Why it is great: Often better than ChatGPT for nuanced writing and long documents. Fast and reliable.
Cost: Free with optional Pro subscription ($20/month)
See our Claude AI guide.
Microsoft Copilot
Available: iOS, Android
What you get:
- GPT-4 powered conversations
- DALL-E image generation
- Web search integrated
- Microsoft account integration
Why it is great: GPT-4 quality for free. Image generation included. Underrated app.
Cost: Free
Google Gemini
Available: iOS, Android
What you get:
- Gemini AI conversations
- Google service integration
- Image understanding
- Can replace Google Assistant
Why it is great: Deep integration with Google apps. If you use Gmail, Docs, and Drive, this connects everything.
Cost: Free (Gemini Advanced needs Google One AI Premium)
See our Gemini guide.
Perplexity
Available: iOS, Android
What you get:
- AI search with citations
- Source references for answers
- Clean interface
- Voice search
Why it is great: The best app for research. Actually shows where information comes from.
Cost: Free with optional Pro subscription
See our Perplexity guide.
Best AI Image Apps
Microsoft Copilot (for DALL-E)
Available: iOS, Android
What you get:
- DALL-E 3 image generation
- Free to use
- High quality outputs
- Integrated with chat
Why it is great: Best free AI image generation on mobile. No subscriptions needed.
Lensa AI
Available: iOS, Android
What you get:
- AI portrait generation
- Photo editing tools
- Magic avatars feature
Why it is great: Creates artistic portraits from your photos. Fun for social media.
Watch out: Subscription model can be confusing. One-time use options available.
Cost: Free with in-app purchases
Wonder - AI Art Generator
Available: iOS, Android
What you get:
- Text to image generation
- Multiple art styles
- Regular free credits
Why it is great: Easy to use, good quality, reasonable free tier.
Cost: Free with optional subscription
Dream by WOMBO
Available: iOS, Android
What you get:
- Quick AI art generation
- Many style options
- Easy sharing
Why it is great: Fast and fun. Good for quick creative experiments.
Cost: Free with optional premium
For more options, see our free AI image generators guide.
Best AI Productivity Apps
Notion AI
Available: iOS, Android
What you get:
- AI writing within Notion
- Summarize notes
- Generate content
- Brainstorm ideas
Why it is great: If you use Notion, the AI integration is seamless. Enhances your existing workflow.
Cost: Free Notion + AI add-on ($10/month)
See our Notion AI guide.
Otter.ai
Available: iOS, Android
What you get:
- Real-time transcription
- Meeting notes
- Voice conversations transcribed
- Search transcripts
Why it is great: Essential for meetings, interviews, or lectures. Transcription is accurate and fast.
Cost: Free tier (600 min/month), Pro plans available
See our AI meeting notes guide.
Grammarly
Available: iOS, Android
What you get:
- Keyboard with grammar checking
- Writing suggestions
- Works across all apps
Why it is great: Catches errors in emails, messages, and documents. Works everywhere you type.
Cost: Free basic, Premium subscription available
Speechify
Available: iOS, Android
What you get:
- AI text-to-speech
- Read articles, documents, books aloud
- Natural-sounding voices
- Speed control
Why it is great: Listen to anything instead of reading. Great for multitasking.
Cost: Free tier, Premium subscription available
Best AI Assistant Apps
Siri (Built-in iOS)
What you get:
- Voice commands
- Smart home control
- Basic questions
- Improving with Apple Intelligence
Why it is great: Already on your iPhone. Getting smarter with Apple's AI updates.
Cost: Free (included with iOS)
See our Siri vs Alexa vs Google comparison.
Google Assistant
Available: iOS, Android
What you get:
- Voice commands
- Smart home control
- Google service integration
- Now with Gemini capabilities
Why it is great: Powerful voice assistant with deep Google integration.
Cost: Free
Amazon Alexa
Available: iOS, Android
What you get:
- Voice control for Alexa devices
- Smart home management
- Skills and integrations
- Shopping integration
Why it is great: Essential if you have Alexa devices at home.
Cost: Free
Best AI Learning Apps
Duolingo
Available: iOS, Android
What you get:
- Language learning
- AI conversation practice
- Personalized lessons
- Gamified experience
Why it is great: The most engaging way to learn languages. AI makes conversations feel natural.
Cost: Free with optional Plus subscription
Khan Academy
Available: iOS, Android
What you get:
- Free education on many subjects
- AI tutor (Khanmigo) in development
- Personalized learning paths
Why it is great: High-quality free education with AI enhancement.
Cost: Free
Photomath
Available: iOS, Android
What you get:
- Scan math problems
- AI-powered solutions
- Step-by-step explanations
- Works on handwritten problems
Why it is great: Solves and explains math problems instantly. Invaluable for students.
Cost: Free with optional Plus subscription
See our AI tools for students guide.
Best AI Photo Apps
Google Photos
Available: iOS, Android
What you get:
- AI photo organization
- Magic Eraser
- Photo enhancement
- Search by content
Why it is great: The AI search and editing features are remarkable. Find any photo by describing it.
Cost: Free with storage limits
Remini
Available: iOS, Android
What you get:
- AI photo enhancement
- Restore old photos
- Improve quality
Why it is great: Dramatically improves photo quality. Great for old or low-res images.
Cost: Free tier with in-app purchases
Snapseed
Available: iOS, Android
What you get:
- Professional photo editing
- AI enhancement tools
- Face editing
- Free with no ads
Why it is great: Google's free photo editor with AI features. No subscription nonsense.
Cost: Free
Apps to Avoid
Watch out for these red flags:
Fake ChatGPT apps: Many apps use "GPT" or "AI Chat" in names but are garbage. Only download official apps.
Subscription traps: Apps that seem free but require expensive subscriptions immediately.
Clone apps: Fake versions of legitimate apps with similar names.
Data harvesters: Unknown apps requesting excessive permissions. For more on AI security, see our AI cybersecurity guide.
Check before downloading:
- Developer name (should match official company)
- Review count and quality
- Permissions requested
- Clear subscription terms
My Recommended AI App Stack
Here is what I use daily:
Main chatbot: ChatGPT app Secondary chatbot: Claude app Research: Perplexity app Images: Microsoft Copilot (free DALL-E) Transcription: Otter.ai Writing: Grammarly keyboard Photos: Google Photos
This covers 95% of mobile AI needs.
Setting Up Your Phone for AI
Quick setup guide:
- Download official ChatGPT app from OpenAI
- Add Claude as secondary option
- Install Grammarly keyboard for writing
- Get Otter if you have meetings
- Add Perplexity for research
Total cost: Free (all have free tiers)
Time to set up: 10 minutes
The Bottom Line
Your phone is now smarter than supercomputers from 20 years ago. These AI apps unlock that power.
Start with ChatGPT and Claude for conversations. Add specialized apps as needed. Avoid the junk cluttering app stores.
The best AI experience is increasingly mobile. These apps put serious AI capabilities wherever you go.
