Best AI Apps

We all use apps for one thing and another, but some AI apps out there are pretty costly. And, worse yet, you could be paying more than is absolutely necessary just for basic functionality.

This is why it pays to read articles like this one that point you in the right direction. So, you can enjoy the best AI apps out there and without having to pay for something that's of little benefit to you.

We've been checking out some of the best AI apps around, and our reviews on these will follow shortly.

But we get that choosing one can be tricky, which is why we've also put together a handy buying guide for you that will walk you through some of the key points to consider before you subscribe or download.

Then we're going to top that off with a section where we answer some of your most frequently asked questions on the subject.

And without further ado…

Best AI Apps

OUR TOP PICK

Amazon Alexa

Amazon Alexa

You've probably already heard of the voice assistant Amazon Alexa, but what you may not know is that it's not only available to use via special Amazon devices, such as the Echo or Echo Dot.

You can also use it on Android and Apple devices.

Amazon Alexa can access the internet, and as such can bring you information from the world's biggest resource, including weather reports and news updates.

You can also use Amazon Alexa for entertainment.

For example, it can connect to services such as Amazon Music and Spotify, so you can listen to and select all your favorite songs as your mood suits, even when your hands are busy making food and such. 

It can also bring you podcasts and read from your current audiobook. And Alexa can also keep you entertained by telling you jokes, which is a great way to brighten up your day.

You can also use it to manage various Alexa-enabled devices, such as smart lights, door locks, thermostats, and more.

You can also use Alexa to compose your weekly shopping list.

You just tell Alexa what you want to get as you work your way through your cupboards, and when you're done, you can bring up the list right on your smartphone.

Pros

  • As a voice assistant, you can use it even when you're busy with your hands
  • It offers all kinds of entertainment, and learns your preferences
  • You can use it to manage a growing range of Alexa-enabled devices
  • You can use it for shopping lists and reminders

Cons

  • Some users have raised concerns over privacy and data collection

Also available to download from:

Apple's App Store

EDITORS CHOICE

Socratic by Google

If your kid ever needs help with high school or even university level homework, then this is the app they need.

It is powered by Google AI, and when posed a question to answer or problem to solve, it will identify and find the best online resources for you to learn the concepts.

And the great thing is you don't even need to type the question in.

You can either use your voice and smartphone microphone to ask questions, or you can take a photo of the problem using your smartphone's camera, and the app will take it from there.

You will be provided with step-by-step instructions, so that you not only get the correct answer but you learn exactly how to arrive at the answer.

Socratic is partnered with teachers and experts  so you can learn the concepts behind solving any of the problems.

There are several subjects covered by Socratic, which include the likes of Algebra, Biology, Calculus, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Science, Geometry, Literature, Physics, Trigonometry, US and World History.

This is a substantial chunk of many youths' high school careers. And what's more, there will be even more subjects covered in the future.

Pros

  • The app covers several important subjects, including mathematics, science, and literature
  • You can use your voice rather than type in questions
  • You can take photos of your homework or coursework problems
  • You get clear, easy to understand, step by step explanations

Cons

  • Complaints about this app are rare, but one thing that does come up is that occasionally a student will say that it didn't provide enough information 

Also available to download from:

Apple's App Store

BEST VALUE

Robin – AI Voice Assistant

Here we have another great voice assistant, but where Robin is different to Alexa is when you are on the move. 

When you're driving in your car for example, you don't want to have to pull over to play around with Google Maps or whatever to get the data you need.

But with the Robin app, you can just leave the phone somewhere safe and simply ask for what you need and have the answers given to you out loud without having to look at any screens.

For example, you can use Robin to get directions to your destination, to get traffic updates, and to locate parking lots and gas stations around you. Super handy.

And it can replace your car radio too, because you can use it to make and play playlists for you. And it can create a podcast playlist for you based on your interests.

It can also give you local, national or world news, and it can give you reminders as needed. You can also use it to make calls or texts without having to touch your phone.

And if all that's not enough, it can even read your emails for you or read out your Facebook feed. Not bad hey?

Pros

  • It can be used completely hands free
  • It can provide you information relating to your current whereabouts if traveling
  • It can provide you with personalized entertainment
  • You can use it to make calls or texts without having to touch your phone.
  • It can even read out your emails and Facebook feed

Cons

  • Not available for iOS devices

RUNNER UP

Youper Online Therapy

Undoubtedly one of the biggest issues of our age is the mental health epidemic. The issues are real and need to be addressed for anyone who is suffering. However, not everyone has insurance for therapy.

And this is where Youper comes in. Youper is a form of artificial intelligence designed to assist those who are suffering with the most common mental health ailments, anxiety, and depression.

Its development was led by world-renowned therapist Andrea Niles, Ph.D., and psychiatrist Jose Hamilton, MD, and it uses some of the most well researched therapies for dealing with these issues, which is cognitive behavioral therapy.

It provides chat support whenever you need it, 24/7. And if using the chatbot is not effective enough, you can also get video call sessions with caring providers who really listen to you.

Youper will monitor your moods, track your progress, and help you to reach your goals. 

In some states you can even use the app to schedule an appointment with a clinician for assessment, and a prescription if deemed necessary.

Pros

  • The app is very easy and self-explanatory to use
  • It monitors your moods and tracks your progress
  • It uses the most well researched methods of therapy
  • It can help you access qualified therapists

Cons

  • It's not free to use, and the in-app purchases can sometimes come to as much as $300.

Also available to download on:

Apple's App Store

RUNNER UP

Hopper: Hotels, Flights & Cars

Hopper Hotels Flights And Cars

If you’re looking for something more than just a hotel booking app, then Hopper might be worth checking out. It allows users to book flights, hotels, rental cars, and even activities such as golfing or skiing.

All of this is done through its own website, but there’s no reason why you couldn't do everything from within the app itself.

And when you're ready to check out, you can pay via PayPal or Google Wallet, so you don't have to worry about any extra fees.

But unlike other apps, Hopper doesn't just offer a list of options; instead, it gives you a detailed breakdown of each option, including reviews from previous customers.

This means you don't have to guess whether, or not, a certain thing would suit you. Instead, you can see exactly what others think about it.

This makes it easier to decide which option to choose when making your travel plans. It's great for people who often travel, or want to plan ahead for their next holiday.

Pros

  • It provides detailed descriptions of every option
  • It lets users know what people think about them
  • It offers suggestions based on user preferences
  • It can suggest nearby restaurants, bars, and attractions
  • It works offline so no internet connection required
  • It enables you to make bookings directly through the app
  • You can even pay for the services right on the app, too.

Cons

  • There are mixed customer reviews  for this app

Also available to download on:

Apple's App Store

Best AI Apps Buying Guide

As promised, here's your buying guide. Let's walk you through some of the key points to consider before you download.

Best AI Apps

Fitness For Purpose And Usefulness

The most important feature to look for in an AI app is whether, or not, it can actually do what it is supposed to do.

A lot of app marketers will make bold claims about what an app can do, but when it comes to actually carrying out these tasks in the real world, I think it's fair to say that some come out well above the others.

We also recommend only downloading apps that you expect to use on a regular if not frequent basis.

Not only because it means less clutter on your smartphone, tablet or laptop, but also because it means you won't have rarely used apps using up too much valuable storage space.

Ease Of Use

The next thing you should consider is how easy the app is to use. If for example all the menus and data really clutter up the screen, this could put you off using the app at all.

And when you're using it for the first few times, you need it to be intuitive, with icons that you can guess the meanings of. Just while you get your bearings with it.

And it should be easy to navigate and find your way around.

Customer Ratings And Reviews

One of the best ways to gauge both the fitness for purpose of an app and how easy it is to use is to take a look at some of its customer ratings and customer reviews.

These can be very telling, and can pre-warn you of some of the issues that other users have faced.

Pesky Adds Or In-App Purchases

One of the more irritating things about apps is their inclusion of ads. Because if the download of the app is free, they've got to make their money somehow, and ads is one of the more common ways to do it.

But this may mean ads obscuring the screen, or pop-ups popping up at really inconvenient times.

Similarly, if you've got your child or teen using the app, what if they were to click on in-app purchases without your permission? They could easily run up a sizable bill.

Storage Space And Data Usage

You may also want to consider whether you have sufficient room to download the app onto your device, because there are still a lot of smartphones in use that have a low amount of available storage space.

Similarly, if you wish to use the app online but you have no Wi-Fi signal, then using the app could really drain your data usage each month, which means you get a higher phone bill.

Privacy And Data Collection

Ok, so this is where we're going to level with you. Most AI apps typically record a great amount of data. This is deliberate because this is how artificial intelligence learns from you and learns your preferences.

These apps typically require access to various parts of your phone, such as the microphone, the camera, and your stored files.

In our view, this isn't really something to be concerned about. However, if your privacy is important to you, we encourage you to read the terms and conditions for any apps you use before you actually go ahead and install them.

Price Tag Or Subscription Fee And Value For Money

On the subject of money, you may also want to consider whether, or not, you are only interested in apps that are free to download. Because, why pay for something if you can get it elsewhere for free?

Some apps run services that require a subscription fee to use, and if this is the case with an app you're interested in, you have to assess whether it's good value for money before you agree.

Answers To Your Most Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Most Popular AI?

It appears that when this article was written, the award for the most popular artificial intelligence software goes to Google for their Google Cloud Machine Learning Engine.

But as you can imagine there are other big players going for the top site, with the likes of Microsoft and Amazon.

Is There a Real AI App?

There are many AI apps available to download for both Android and iOS operating systems.

However, not all AI apps make the claim that they incorporate artificial intelligence in their app, which makes them hard to spot when you're just browsing through.

That's why it is incredibly important to do your research before you download. The best way to do this is to read articles like this one, for an honest review.

Are there Other Apps like Replika?

For those of you who don't already know what Replika is, it's an AI app designed to act as a makeshift friend. You can converse with the app as you would with a friend, and have fun with it and/or soothe your troubles.

There are several alternative AI apps that are very similar to Replika available on a range of platforms. These include the likes of Kuki, Cleverbot.io, Cleverbot, and Hugging Face.

So, if you are looking for a virtual friend, the apps we have just mentioned are an outstanding substitute for Replika.

In Which Apps is AI Used?

While there are lots of apps that are specifically designed for their AI uses, AI is used in a lot more apps than you would ordinarily think.

In fact, it is starting to become more of a surprise if an app doesn’t use AI than if they use it. This is how widespread artificial intelligence has become in recent years. 

Aside from the AI specific apps we have discussed above, there are lots of other apps which use AI. These include Cortana, Google Assistant, Siri, and lots more.

These apps which were once featured on cell phones have become insanely popular, and that is why you will find AI software on most apps.