Best AI tools for business efficiency in 2025

The race for efficiency is on, and AI is leading the charge. Businesses that successfully integrate AI into their workflows are cutting costs, improving productivity, and making smarter decisions faster. But with an overwhelming number of tools on the market, finding the right one is half the battle.

Generative AI, in particular, has gone from an experimental technology to an everyday business essential. According to McKinsey, AI-driven automation could drive labor productivity growth of 0.1 to 0.6% annually through 2040, making it a key driver of long-term business efficiency. The challenge isn’t whether to use AI—it’s choosing the right tool for the job.

To help, we’ve compiled a list of the best AI tools for business efficiency in 2025, covering everything from analytics and chatbots to content creation, productivity, and project management.

Best AI tools by category:

Why AI adoption is critical for businesses in 2025

If you’re running a business in 2025, AI isn’t optional. It’s the secret weapon companies are using to move faster, work smarter, and make better decisions. Those who figure out how to use AI effectively are pulling ahead. The ones that don’t? They’re getting left behind.

Think about your daily operations. How much time goes into pulling reports, analyzing data, or sifting through emails? AI can handle those in seconds, freeing your team to focus on bigger priorities.

And it’s not just about automating small tasks. AI is changing how businesses analyze and act on data. Static dashboards only show part of the picture, and no one has time to piece it all together. AI-powered tools like ThoughtSpot make it easy. Just ask a question and get instant, reliable insights with no manual number-crunching required.

Best AI tools for business analytics

Our entire team, along with a growing list of world-class customers, relies on ThoughtSpot to find insights and make strategic business decisions with their data. As a leader in BI, ThoughtSpot offers a complete business intelligence platform that allows anyone to ask any question, on any data, anywhere they work.

With Spotter, your dedicated AI Analyst, you can ask questions in natural language and receive instant insights and visualizations. Whether you're comparing performance, forecasting trends, or tracking KPIs, ThoughtSpot delivers precise, contextual insights when they matter most. For more complex calculations and data modeling, data teams can use Analyst Studio to dig deeper into their data and find meaningful insights.

Core features of ThoughtSpot

• Generative AI with Spotter: Your built-in AI Analyst combines LLMs with ThoughtSpot’s relational search to deliver instant insights. Ask anything, follow up for deeper analysis, and get real-time alerts without writing complex queries.

• AI-powered dashboards: Static reports are a thing of the past. These interactive dashboards update instantly, letting you track KPIs, drill into data, and find meaningful insights without waiting on manual updates.

• Seamless analytics: Connect to cloud platforms and business apps to get real-time insights wherever you work, without data silos slowing you down.

• AI-assisted data prep: Use Analyst Studio to simplify SQL, Python, and R workflows. Automate tedious tasks, clean data faster, and focus on meaningful analysis.

Best for

Businesses that need real-time, AI-powered analytics to make fast, data-driven decisions. Ideal for teams that want a BI platform that is intuitive, scalable, and designed for self-service.

Pros of ThoughtSpot

• Ask questions in natural language and get instant AI-driven insights

• Self-service analytics that minimizes reliance on data teams

• Connects seamlessly with cloud data platforms for a unified analytics experience

• Real-time data updates help teams make faster, more informed decisions

Cons of ThoughtSpot

• Advanced features, like custom data modeling, may take some training to fully leverage

• Frequent updates mean new features are always being introduced, which may require some adjustment

G2 rating: 4.4/ 5

Pricing

14-day free trial

Essentials: $1,250 /month (20 users)

Pro: Custom

Enterprise: Custom

Developed by Microsoft, Power BI is a business intelligence and data visualization tool designed for creating interactive reports and dashboards. It’s widely used by organizations that rely on the Microsoft ecosystem, offering seamless integration with tools like Excel, Azure, and SQL Server. While the platform has a user-friendly interface, making the most of its capabilities often requires a strong analytical background. However, Power BI can struggle with performance when handling large datasets, which may require additional optimization.

Core features of Power BI

• Data visualization: Create interactive charts, graphs, maps, and tables with a drag-and-drop interface.

• Data preparation: Power Query helps clean, shape, and organize datasets for analysis.

• Collaboration: Share reports and add comments to specific data points for team discussions.

• Integration: Connect to various Microsoft data sources to bring everything into a unified view.

Best for

Organizations already using Microsoft products that need a BI tool for reporting and traditional dashboards.

Pros of Power BI

• Works easily with other Microsoft products.

• Offers a variety of visualization options.

Cons of Power BI

• Customization for complex visuals may be more limited than other BI tools.

• Large datasets can impact performance.

• Relies on cloud services, which may not align with strict data privacy requirements.

G2 rating: 4.5/ 5

Pricing

30-day free trial

• Free account

• Power BI Pro: $10 per user/month

• Power BI Premium: $20 per user/month

• Power BI Embedded: Pricing varies

💡Relevant read: 10 Power BI alternatives and competitors to consider

Tableau, owned by Salesforce, is a business intelligence and data visualization platform designed to help analysts explore and present data effectively. It converts raw data into interactive insights through customizable dashboards and reports. Its drag-and-drop interface makes it accessible, though advanced features may require technical expertise. However, Tableau lacks AI-powered search, meaning users must manually create queries and visualizations rather than relying on natural language inputs.

Core features of Tableau

• Data connectivity: Integrates with databases, spreadsheets, and cloud services to bring all your data into one place.

• Advanced analytics: Supports complex calculations, predictive modeling, and statistical analysis.

• Collaboration and sharing: Allows teams to share dashboards and reports for seamless collaboration.

• Trend analysis: Identifies patterns in data and provides predictive insights.

Best for

Teams that need advanced data visualization with interactive dashboards and deep customization options.

Pros of Tableau

• Handles large datasets efficiently.

• A strong online community provides support and learning resources.

Cons of Tableau

• Limited parameter selection means some data updates must be done manually.

• Working with complex datasets often requires SQL knowledge.

• Performance can slow when handling very large datasets.

G2 rating: 4.4/ 5

Pricing

14-day free trial

• Tableau Creator: $75 per user/month

• Tableau Explorer: $42 per user/month

• Tableau Viewer: $15 per user/month

💡Top Tableau competitors and alternatives to consider

Qlik is a business intelligence and data analytics platform designed for interactive dashboards, self-service analytics, and embedded analytics. It supports both cloud and on-premises deployment, making it a versatile choice for different business environments. Its associative data model helps users explore data relationships dynamically, offering deeper insights beyond traditional query-based tools.

However, Qlik can feel less intuitive for users looking for fast, ad-hoc insights. While it provides powerful analytics, navigating large datasets often requires more manual effort.

Core features of Qlik

• Interactive visualizations: Create dynamic charts, tables, and graphs to explore data in real time.

• Associative data model: Discover relationships across data sources without being limited by predefined queries.

• Machine learning integration: Run ML experiments in the Qlik Cloud Analytics hub and use insights to refine data models.

• Data storytelling: Combine visualizations with contextual narratives for clearer communication and collaboration.

Best for

Businesses looking for flexible, interactive data exploration with AI-driven insights.

Pros of Qlik

• Works across desktops, tablets, and smartphones.

• Allows users to build custom applications without advanced coding skills.

Cons of Qlik

• Performance may slow with large datasets.

• Per-user costs can add up for larger teams.

• Exporting data to Excel may cause formatting issues.

G2 rating: 4.4/ 5

Pricing

30-day free trial

• Qlik Sense Business: $30 per user/month

• Qlik Sense Enterprise SaaS: Custom pricing

Best AI apps for content creation

Jasper is one of the most widely used AI writing assistants, designed to help marketers, businesses, and content creators generate high-quality content quickly. It uses AI to streamline content creation, from blog posts and product descriptions to ad copy and email marketing campaigns. Jasper’s customizable templates, brand voice feature, and integration with SurferSEO make it a valuable tool for those looking to produce SEO-optimized content at scale.

Core features of Jasper

• AI-driven content generation: Generates full-length articles, marketing copy, and product descriptions with minimal input.

• Templates & workflows: Offers 50+ pre-built frameworks for blog posts, ad copy, and social media content.

• SEO optimization: Integrates with SurferSEO to provide AI-generated content ranks well.

• Brand voice customization: Adapts content to align with a company’s unique tone and style.

Best for

AI-powered blog writing, ad copy, and SEO content

Pros of Jasper

• Fast content generation for various marketing needs

• User-friendly interface with pre-built content templates

• Strong SEO integrations for better search performance

Cons of Jasper

• Requires human editing for factual accuracy and tone consistency

• Higher pricing compared to some competitors

G2 rating: 4.7/ 5

Pricing

Starts at $39/month

HubSpot AI is an AI-powered content assistant built into HubSpot’s marketing platform, helping businesses automate content creation across emails, blogs, and social media. It seamlessly integrates with HubSpot’s CRM, enabling companies to create highly personalized marketing campaigns based on customer behavior and preferences. 

The AI writing tool supports businesses in scaling their content marketing efforts by auto-generating drafts, improving email subject lines, and suggesting SEO-optimized blog content. It’s particularly beneficial for teams already using HubSpot’s suite of marketing tools.

Core features of HubSpot AI

• AI-powered email marketing: Generates compelling subject lines, email body content, and follow-up sequences.

• Content automation: Helps create blog posts, landing pages, and social media captions based on keywords and themes.

• CRM integration: Uses customer data from HubSpot’s CRM to personalize marketing content.

• Predictive analytics: Provides insights on content engagement and audience response.

Best for

AI-generated email marketing and content campaigns

Pros of HubSpot AI

• Fully integrates with HubSpot’s marketing and CRM tools

• AI-driven personalization improves customer engagement

• Streamlines content creation for email, blogs, and social media

Cons of HubSpot AI

• Beneficial for users already in the HubSpot ecosystem

• Less flexibility compared to standalone AI writing platforms

G2 rating: 4.6/ 5

Pricing

Included in HubSpot Marketing Hub plans (starts at $50/month)

Writesonic is an AI-powered writing assistant designed for businesses, agencies, and freelancers looking to create high-quality content quickly. It offers a range of content generation tools, including AI-driven blog posts, ad copy, and product descriptions. The platform also supports multiple languages, making it a useful tool for global content teams. Writesonic’s affordability and broad feature set make it a popular choice for those looking for an AI writing assistant with a balance of automation and customization.

Core features of Writesonic

• Long-form AI writer: Generates full-length blog posts, articles, and whitepapers.

• Ad & social media copy: Produces persuasive marketing copy for Facebook, Google Ads, and LinkedIn.

• SEO & keyword optimization: Suggests relevant keywords and optimizes content structure.

• Multi-language support: Writes in over 20 languages for diverse audiences.

Best for

AI-powered long-form and short-form content across industries

Pros of Writesonic

• Affordable AI writing tool with a wide range of use cases

• Supports multiple languages for international content creation

• Includes AI-driven SEO optimization features

Cons of Writesonic

• May require human editing to refine AI-generated content

• Advanced features are locked behind higher-tier plans

G2 rating: 4.7/ 5

Pricing

Free plan available

Paid plans start at $16/month

Frase is an AI-powered content research and optimization tool designed for content marketers and SEO professionals. Unlike other AI writing assistants that focus on generating content, Frase excels at analyzing search intent and optimizing articles to improve rankings. It automates content research by analyzing top-ranking pages for any keyword and suggesting structure, topics, and questions to include in your writing. It’s particularly useful for businesses focused on organic traffic growth.

Core features of Frase

• AI-driven content briefs: Generates detailed outlines based on SERP analysis.

• SEO optimization: Recommends keywords and content improvements to boost rankings.

• Automated content writing: Uses AI to generate article drafts and summaries.

• SERP analysis: Identifies competitor content strategies for better ranking insights.

Best for

AI-driven SEO content research and article creation

Pros of Frase

• Strong focus on SEO with advanced content analysis tools

• Helps streamline research and content planning

• Ideal for marketers looking to boost organic traffic

Cons of Frase

• More focused on research and optimization than creative writing

• Requires a learning curve to maximize its features

G2 rating: 4.6/5

Pricing

Starts at $14.99/month

Best AI tools for image and video creation

Midjourney is an AI-powered digital art generator designed for artists, designers, and content creators who want to generate high-quality visuals from simple text prompts. Unlike traditional design software, Midjourney operates through a Discord-based interface, making it easy to collaborate and iterate on creative ideas in real time. It’s widely used for concept art, branding, and unique AI-generated artwork.

Core features of Midjourney

• AI-generated digital art: Creates high-resolution images from text prompts.

• Style customization: Adjusts artistic styles, lighting, and textures.

• Discord-based interface: Operates entirely within Discord for collaborative workflows.

• High-resolution outputs: Produces detailed, professional-grade visuals.

Best for

High-quality AI-generated digital art

Pros of Midjourney

• Produces highly detailed and visually striking images

• Supports creative control with style and aspect ratio customization

• Fast image generation and multiple variations per prompt

Cons of Midjourney

• Requires a Discord account to use

• Limited editing options compared to traditional design software

G2 rating: 4.7/ 5

Pricing

Starts at $10/month

Adobe Firefly is Adobe’s AI-powered design assistant, seamlessly integrating with Creative Cloud apps like Photoshop and Illustrator. It allows users to generate images, apply text effects, and edit graphics using AI-powered tools, making it ideal for designers and marketers looking to speed up their workflows while maintaining creative control.

Core features of Adobe Firefly

• Text-to-image generation: Creates images from text descriptions.

• Seamless Adobe integration: Works with Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.

• AI-powered text effects: Generates stylized typography and creative text designs.

• Style customization: Modifies images for branding consistency.

Best for

AI-powered image editing and graphic design

Pros of Adobe Firefly

• Works seamlessly with Adobe Creative Cloud

• Offers AI-driven enhancements for faster design workflows

• Supports high-quality, professional-grade image generation

Cons of Adobe Firefly

• Requires an Adobe subscription for full access

• Still in development for certain advanced AI features

G2 rating: 4.5/5

Pricing

Included with Adobe Creative Cloud (Plans start at $20.99/month)

Descript is an all-in-one video and audio editing platform that leverages AI to simplify content creation. It’s widely used for video editing, podcast production, and transcription. Unlike traditional editing tools, Descript allows you to edit videos by modifying the transcript, making it an excellent choice for content creators, marketers, and podcasters.

Core features of Descript

• AI-powered transcription: Converts speech to text with high accuracy.

• Text-based video editing: Edit video/audio by modifying the transcript.

• AI voice cloning: Generates synthetic voiceovers for quick corrections.

• Screen recording: Captures high-quality video and audio for tutorials.

Best for

Video editing, podcast production, and automatic transcriptions

Pros of Descript

• Easy-to-use interface for text-based video editing

• AI-powered transcription is fast and accurate

• Ideal for podcast creators and social media videos

Cons of Descript

• Limited advanced video editing features compared to traditional software

• AI voice cloning may not sound completely natural in all cases

G2 rating: 4.6/5

Pricing

Free plan available

Paid plans start at $12/month

Envato Elements is an AI-assisted creative marketplace that provides unlimited access to stock media, templates, and design assets. It’s popular among video editors, designers, and content creators who need high-quality assets for their projects.

Core features of Envato Elements

• Unlimited stock assets: Provides templates, videos, music, and graphics.

• AI-powered search: Quickly finds relevant assets based on keywords.

• Video and motion graphics templates: Ready-made elements for Adobe Premiere and After Effects.

• Royalty-free music and sound effects: High-quality audio for any project.

Best for

AI-assisted video templates, stock media, and design assets

Pros of Envato Elements

• Affordable subscription for unlimited access to assets

• Wide variety of templates for video, graphics, and web design

• AI-powered search helps find the right assets quickly

Cons of Envato Elements

• Assets may require customization to fit brand aesthetics

• Subscription-based pricing may not be ideal for occasional users

G2 rating: 4.6/5

Pricing

Starts at $16.50/month

Best AI tools for business productivity

ThoughtSpot is an Agentic AI platform that helps you streamline data exploration and make better business decisions. With self-service analytics, you can easily explore data and drill down into insights without needing technical expertise. ThoughtSpot integrates seamlessly with your existing data ecosystems, so you can get actionable insights faster and more accurately, empowering your team to make informed decisions.

Core features of ThoughtSpot

• Self-service analytics: You can explore your data and get insights without relying on IT or data teams.

• Drill-down capabilities: Quickly dive deeper into your data to understand the root causes behind trends or patterns.

• AI-powered insights: ThoughtSpot’s AI Analyst, Spotter, delivers recommendations and highlights data patterns for smarter decisions.

• Embedded analytics: Easily integrate data insights into the tools you already use, like Salesforce or ServiceNow.

• Real-time collaboration: Share live data and collaborate with your team directly within the platform for faster decision-making.

Best for

Self-service analytics, easy data exploration, and supporting business decisions without needing advanced technical skills.

Pros of ThoughtSpot

• Allows you to analyze data without needing deep technical knowledge

• Speeds up decision-making by simplifying complex data workflows

• Integrates into your existing tools and workflows

• Intuitive search functionality that makes data exploration easy for everyone

Cons of ThoughtSpot

• Advanced features, like custom data modeling, may take some training to fully leverage

• Frequent updates introduce new features, which may require some adjustment

G2 rating: 4.4/ 5

Pricing

14-day free trial

Essentials: $1,250 /month (20 users)

Pro: Custom

Enterprise: Custom

TheGist is an AI-powered tool that summarizes emails, Slack messages, and other workplace communications, helping users stay on top of conversations without information overload. It’s particularly useful for busy professionals who need quick insights from long email threads or Slack channels.

Core features of TheGist

• AI-powered email summarization: Condenses lengthy email threads into key points.

• Slack message recaps: Highlights the most important Slack conversations.

• Smart notifications: Alerts users about relevant messages and tasks.

• Multi-platform integration: Works with email clients and Slack.

Best for

AI-powered email and Slack message summarization

Pros of TheGist

• Saves time by condensing long messages into actionable summaries

• Helps professionals manage communication overload

• Integrates seamlessly with Slack and email platforms

Cons of TheGist

• Limited support for other collaboration tools outside Slack and email

• AI summaries may occasionally miss context in complex discussions

G2 rating: 4.4/5

Pricing

Free plan available

Paid plans start at $10/month

Motion is an AI-powered scheduling and productivity platform that automates task management, meeting scheduling, and workflow organization. It’s ideal for professionals and teams looking to optimize their daily schedules without manual planning.

Core features of Motion

• AI-driven scheduling assistant: Automatically prioritizes tasks and meetings.

• Smart calendar integration: Syncs with Google Calendar and Outlook.

• Automated task planning: Allocates time for to-dos based on urgency.

• Focus time management: Blocks distractions and provides deep work sessions.

Best for

AI-driven scheduling and workflow automation

Pros of Motion

• Saves time by automating task prioritization

• Reduces calendar conflicts with intelligent scheduling

• Helps teams optimize focus time and reduce distractions

Cons of Motion

• Limited flexibility for highly customized scheduling needs

• Requires ongoing usage to fully adapt to individual workflows

G2 rating: 4.6/5

Pricing

Starts at $19/month

Fireflies.ai is an AI-powered meeting assistant that transcribes conversations, summarizes discussions, and tracks action items. It helps teams improve meeting efficiency and assures key points aren’t lost.

Core features of Fireflies.ai

• AI-powered transcription: Converts meetings into accurate text records.

• Meeting summaries: Highlights key decisions, action items, and takeaways.

• Automated action tracking: Assigns follow-ups based on meeting discussions.

• Multi-platform integration: Works with Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams.

Best for

AI-powered meeting transcriptions and action item tracking

Pros of Fireflies.ai

• Saves time by automating meeting notes and summaries

• Improves collaboration with searchable meeting transcripts

• Integrates with popular video conferencing tools

Cons of Fireflies.ai

• AI-generated transcriptions may require manual corrections

• Some advanced features are limited to paid plans

G2 rating: 4.7/5

Pricing

Free plan available

Paid plans start at $10/month

Best software for project management

Asana is a popular project management platform that helps teams plan, organize, and track work efficiently. With AI-powered task automation and smart workflow suggestions, Asana makes collaboration seamless by reducing manual work and keeping projects on schedule. Whether you're managing marketing campaigns, product development, or daily tasks, Asana’s AI tools help teams stay focused and productive.

Core features of Asana

• AI-powered task automation: Automatically assigns tasks and suggests due dates.

• Timeline and Gantt charts: Visualizes project progress and dependencies.

• Smart deadline predictions: Uses AI to optimize scheduling and workload distribution.

• Integration with 200+ tools: Connects with Slack, Google Drive, and more.

Best for

AI-powered task automation and team collaboration

Pros of Asana

• Intuitive interface with flexible project views

• Reduces manual work with AI-powered automations

• Scales well for teams of all sizes

Cons of Asana

• Can feel overwhelming for new users

• Advanced AI features are limited to premium plans

G2 rating: 4.3/5

Pricing

Free plan available

Paid plans start at $10.99/month per user

Motion AI is an intelligent project management and scheduling tool that helps teams prioritize tasks, automate workflow planning, and optimize meeting schedules. Its AI-driven features eliminate scheduling conflicts and improve productivity by automatically adjusting calendars based on priority and deadlines.

Core features of Motion AI

• AI-powered scheduling assistant: Automates task and meeting prioritization.

• Workflow optimization: Dynamically adjusts schedules to prevent conflicts.

• Smart calendar integration: Syncs with Google Calendar and Outlook.

• Task management dashboard: Provides a centralized view of deadlines and priorities.

Best for

AI-driven scheduling and workflow automation

Pros of Motion AI

• Reduces manual scheduling efforts with AI automation

• Helps teams maximize productivity by optimizing focus time

• Easy to integrate with existing calendars

Cons of Motion AI

• Not ideal for complex project management beyond scheduling

• Requires regular usage to fully optimize workflow patterns

G2 rating: 4.6/5

Pricing

Starts at $19/month per user

Trello is a visual project management tool known for its intuitive Kanban-style boards. With AI-powered automation, it streamlines task management, making it easy to track projects, set deadlines, and automate repetitive workflows. It’s ideal for teams that need a simple yet effective way to organize work.

Core features of Trello

• Kanban boards: Organizes tasks visually with drag-and-drop functionality.

• AI-powered Butler automation: Automates repetitive tasks and reminders.

• Customizable workflows: Adapts to different project management styles.

• Integration with business apps: Connects with Slack, Google Drive, and Jira.

Best for

Visual project tracking with AI-powered automation

Pros of Trello

• Simple and easy-to-use interface

• AI-powered automation reduces manual work

• Flexible for various project types and industries

Cons of Trello

• Limited reporting and analytics compared to other tools

• Best suited for smaller teams or simpler workflows

G2 rating: 4.4/5

Pricing

Free plan available

Paid plans start at $5/month per user

Basecamp is a straightforward project management tool designed for teams looking for an all-in-one workspace. It combines to-do lists, message boards, document sharing, and scheduling into a single platform, making collaboration simple and effective.

Core features of Basecamp

• All-in-one project management: Combines task tracking, messaging, and file sharing.

• Campfire chat & message boards: Keeps team communication organized.

• Client collaboration tools: Allows external stakeholders to participate in projects.

• Hill Charts for project tracking: Visualizes progress beyond standard timelines.

Best for

Simple, all-in-one project collaboration for teams

Pros of Basecamp

• Easy-to-use interface with minimal learning curve

• Reduces reliance on multiple tools by consolidating collaboration features

• Flat-rate pricing makes it cost-effective for larger teams

Cons of Basecamp

• Lacks advanced AI-driven automation and analytics

• Not as feature-rich for complex project tracking

G2 rating: 4.2/5

Pricing

Flat-rate pricing of $99/month for unlimited users

Why AI-powered business intelligence is essential in 2025

For years, businesses have relied on traditional BI tools like Tableau, Looker, and Power BI. These platforms provide valuable insights, but they depend on static dashboards that require constant maintenance. Every time you need a new report or a different way to analyze your data, you have to go through IT or a data team. That slows down decision-making.

AI-powered business intelligence changes that. Instead of being limited by prebuilt dashboards, you can search for insights in real time and get instant answers. This speeds up decision-making, reduces IT bottlenecks, and makes data more accessible across your organization.

ThoughtSpot is leading this shift with AI-powered self-service analytics. Everyone from executives to frontline teams can explore data and get insights on demand.

Use AI to drive smarter, faster growth

A small delay in getting the right data can mean missed opportunities, slower decisions, and falling behind the competition. AI is reshaping industries, but not all AI tools give you insights when you need them.

ThoughtSpot changes that. With AI-powered search, self-service analytics, and live cloud data connectivity, you get real-time answers without waiting on static dashboards or IT teams.

See how fast, AI-driven insights can change your business. Get a free live demo today!