Best Free AI Tools for Marketing

Artificial intelligence is changing the way businesses approach marketing, helping teams create content faster, analyse performance more effectively, and engage audiences with greater impact. According to our 2026 UK State of Digital Marketing Report, 50% of UK businesses are now utilising AI to support their marketing strategy, with 14% planning to do so in the future.

If you’re a business that is interested in utilising AI, but you’re not quite sure where to start, we’ve created a list of the best free AI tools for marketing. These tools offer practical and affordable ways to save time, improve visibility, and will help you make smarter decisions without expensive software subscriptions.

• AI tools for content creation and copywriting
• AI tools for social media and visual content
• AI tools for marketing automation and productivity
• AI tools for analytics, SEO and insights

AI tools for content creation and copywriting

Content remains an integral part of marketing success, but producing it consistently can take time. 90% of UK businesses that use AI are using it to create written content.

These free AI tools will help you write faster, stay on brand, and optimise for SEO while keeping a human tone.

1. ChatGPT (by OpenAI)

Use for: Blog ideas, website copy, email campaigns, and ad captions.

Why it works: ChatGPT helps marketers brainstorm, outline, and draft content quickly. It can turn a rough idea into polished copy for multiple platforms.

Pros: Fast, flexible and easy to use.

Cons: Requires editing for tone and accuracy.

Pricing (UK): Free plan; Plus version optional.

Best for: Small to mid-sized businesses scaling content marketing.

2. Grammarly

Use for: Polishing copy and ensuring clarity.

Why it works: Grammarly uses AI to check grammar, tone, and readability, helping marketers produce clear and professional content.

Pros: Free browser plugin and desktop app.

Cons: Style suggestions can be generic.

Pricing (UK): Free; Premium optional.

Best for: Businesses improving written communication and brand consistency.

3. Hemingway Editor

Use for: Simplifying and tightening marketing content.

Why it works: Hemingway highlights complex or wordy sentences, making copy clearer and easier to read.

Pros: Completely free and web-based.

Cons: Focuses only on editing, not content generation.

Pricing (UK): Free online version.

Best for: Teams refining readability and writing style.

AI tools for social media and visual content

Keeping social media channels active can be a big challenge for smaller marketing teams. These tools make it simple to design visuals, write captions, and plan posts consistently.

4. Canva

Use for: Creating branded visuals and short videos.

Why it works: Canva’s free version includes templates, Magic Resize, and AI-powered text-to-image tools that streamline design.

Pros: Intuitive and professional-quality results.

Cons: Premium templates and stock images require the Pro plan.

Pricing (UK): Free; Pro available.

Best for: Small businesses managing social media internally.

5. Adobe Creative Cloud Express

Use for: Social graphics, video editing, templates, and quick visual design.

Why it works: Adobe Creative Cloud Express includes AI-assisted features that help you create polished visuals in minutes, even without design experience. It offers templates for social posts, ads, reels, presentations, and more, making it easy for UK businesses to maintain a professional brand presence.

Pros: High-quality Adobe design tools in a simple interface, great stock libraries, strong mobile app.

Cons: Some advanced features require an upgrade.

Pricing (UK): Free plan available; premium plan from £10.10/month.

Best for: Businesses that want professional-looking designs without needing full Creative Cloud expertise.

6. CapCut

Use for: Editing and enhancing social media videos.

Why it works: CapCut’s AI tools automatically generate captions, add effects, and improve video quality, ideal for platforms like TikTok or Instagram.

Pros: Free, mobile-friendly, and powerful.

Cons: Cloud storage can be slow for large files.

Pricing (UK): Free.

Best for: Brands producing short-form video content.

AI tools for marketing automation and productivity

31% of UK businesses said they feel they need more training in utilising AI for automation. However, automation doesn’t have to be complex, nor does it have to come with a high price tag. These free AI tools help you save time by automating everyday marketing tasks.

7. Zapier (free plan)

Use for: Workflow automation between apps.

Why it works: Zapier connects platforms such as Gmail, LinkedIn, and HubSpot to trigger automated actions, including sending leads directly to your CRM.

Pros: No-code setup and wide app library.

Cons: Free plan limits the number of “Zaps.”

Pricing (UK): Free; upgrades optional.

Best for: Small teams automating basic processes.

8. Mailchimp (free plan)

Use for: Email marketing automation.

Why it works: Mailchimp’s AI features suggest subject lines and send times to improve engagement.

Pros: Free tier includes templates and reports.

Cons: Contact and send limits apply on the free plan.

Pricing (UK): Free for up to 500 contacts.

Best for: Businesses starting to grow their email lists and nurture leads.

AI tools for analytics, SEO, and insights

The best free AI tools for marketing also help you interpret data and make informed decisions. These platforms make analytics and SEO easier for UK businesses.

9. Perplexity AI

Use for: Researching markets, competitors, and content topics.

Why it works: Perplexity uses AI to summarise and cite reliable sources, ideal for marketers who need quick insights.

Pros: Transparent, fast, and accurate.

Cons: Limited integrations with marketing software.

Pricing (UK): Free; Pro plan available.

Best for: Research-driven marketers and content teams.

10. Google Analytics 4 (GA4)

Use for: Understanding website traffic and user behaviour.

Why it works: GA4 uses AI-driven insights to forecast trends and identify high-performing pages.

Pros: Free, powerful, and GDPR-compliant.

Cons: Requires setup and familiarity.

Pricing (UK): Free.

Best for: Every business measuring online performance.

How to choose the best free AI tools for marketing

Before adopting any AI solution, identify where it can add the most value to your marketing efforts.

Ask yourself do you need to:

• Create content faster?
• Improve visibility or SEO?
• Automate routine tasks?
• Gain clearer insights from your data?

When comparing tools:

• Check for UK GDPR compliance.
• Test free versions before upgrading.
• Ensure compatibility with your current tech stack.
• Track measurable outcomes, not just convenience.

Best practices for using free AI tools in marketing

If  you’re looking for some guidance on how to efficiently test AI tools, here are our tips:

• Start small and test one tool at a time.
• Make sure you train your team to use AI effectively and ethically.
• Keep the human element in your marketing, especially when it comes to fact checking AI generated content.
• Measure results before and after introducing AI tools.
• Stay compliant with data and privacy regulations.

FAQs: Best free AI tools for marketing

Q: Are free AI marketing tools really effective?

A: Yes, many offer powerful features at no cost. They are perfect for small or growing UK businesses looking to streamline marketing tasks.

Q: Are these tools safe for UK business data?

A: Most comply with GDPR standards, but always review each platform’s privacy policy before uploading sensitive information.

Q: What is the best all-round free AI tool for marketing?

A: ChatGPT, Canva, and Google Analytics 4 are among the best free AI tools for marketing that suit most business types.

Q: How quickly will I see results?

A: Many businesses notice productivity gains within weeks, while SEO or engagement improvements take longer.

Final thoughts

Combined with the right strategy AI can make a real difference to your marketing. Free tools can help you save time, boost visibility, and support stronger results across your channels, especially when they complement well-planned campaigns.

If you’re looking to strengthen your digital marketing, our team can help. We create and manage effective campaigns across search, social, and content, ensuring your brand is consistently visible and performing at its best.

Alternatively, if you’re interested in learning more about how UK businesses are utilising AI in their marketing strategy, download our free 2026 UK State Of Digital Marketing Report here.

Meet the Author

Leah Davies

Leah is a marketing manager with over 10 years of experience in advertising and marketing. She holds a Diploma in Digital Marketing and a specialist certification in Social Media, both awarded by the DMI. Leah helps businesses build stronger connections with their audiences through smart and effective digital strategies.

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