Start with AI, the easy way
No jargon, no hype. Learn what AI is, pick the right assistant, try 10 useful prompts, stay safe, then let AI agents do whole tasks for you.
Start here (5 short steps) Get one easy AI recipe a week →
The Start Here path
- What AI is (and isn't)
- Pick your assistant: ChatGPT vs Claude vs Grok vs Gemini
- Your first 10 useful prompts
- Staying safe and private
- Next step: AI agents that do tasks for you
The big six AI assistants
ChatGPT
All-round everyday help, writing, images and voice
Paid: Go $8/mo; Plus $20/mo (monthly only); Pro $100, $200 or $500/mo
Claude
Writing, long documents and careful reasoning
Paid: Pro $20/mo ($17/mo billed annually); Max $100 or $200/mo
Grok
Real-time news and X posts, images and voice
Paid: X Subscription: Plus $8/mo; Premium $30/mo; Super $100/mo; Ultra $200/mo (since Oct 12, 2026; existing SuperGrok plans kept)
Gemini
People who live in Gmail, Docs, Android and Google Photos
Paid: Google AI Plus $4.99/mo; AI Pro $19.99/mo; AI Ultra $99.99 or $199.99/mo (US)
Microsoft Copilot
Windows, Word, Excel and Outlook users
Paid: Microsoft 365 Personal $9.99/mo; Family $12.99/mo; Premium $19.99/mo or $199.99/yr (highest AI limits)
Perplexity
Research with sources you can click
Paid: Pro $20/mo or $200/yr; Max: price unverified
Ready for agents?
Manus
Trying an autonomous agent for free
Setup difficulty ●○○○○
Price: Pro from $20/mo (4,000 credits); $40/mo tier (8,000 credits); Team from $20/seat
Genspark
Slides, docs and research deliverables
Setup difficulty ●○○○○
Price: Plus $24.99/mo ($19.99/mo annual) for 10,000 credits; higher tiers up to $199.99/mo
Perplexity Comet
Easiest free first agent
Setup difficulty ●○○○○
Price: Free; Perplexity Pro $20/mo for higher limits; Comet Plus $5/mo (included in Pro/Max)
Quick answers
What is the easiest way to start with AI?
Pick one free AI assistant (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, Copilot or Perplexity all have free plans), try 10 simple prompts for a week, and only pay or move to agents once you use it daily.
Which AI assistant should a beginner use?
Use the one that fits apps you already use: Gemini for Google users, Copilot for Windows/Office, ChatGPT as an all-rounder, Claude for writing, Perplexity for sourced research, Grok for news on X.
Is AI free?
Yes. All six major assistants listed here have a free plan as of 2026-10-15. Paid plans start at $4.99/mo (Google AI Plus) and $8/mo (ChatGPT Go, X Subscription Plus).
What is an AI agent?
An AI agent is software that takes multi-step actions for you, like reading email, browsing websites or updating a spreadsheet, instead of only chatting.