Man vs. Machine: Ranking the Top AI Content Tools for 2024

Creating content takes lots of time and effort – and if you’re too busy to do it yourself – it’s not exactly cheap to outsource, either. 

Yet, consistently releasing high-quality content is necessary to compete with other online businesses, both on search engines and social media platforms. 

Ever since the official launch of ChatGPT in late 2022, AI content tools have taken the marketing world by storm. 

Alt tag: A meme of the Terminator talking about generating content. 

While AI-powered tools have been around for quite a while (Grammarly has been out for 10+ years), this new wave of generative AI tools has some truly impressive capabilities. 

For instance, AI tools can now generate the following types of content from scratch and free of plagiarism (for the most part):

• Long-form blog posts
• Landing pages
• Emails and Slack messages
• Social media posts 
• Product descriptions 
• Poems and short stories 
• Song lyrics 
• Video scripts 
• Other types of text-based content 

As you can imagine, this makes the content creation process far easier and less expensive. 

Or does it?

The fact is that AI content creation tools are still in their infancy, and there are still a lot of kinks to work out. 

Plagiarism and inaccuracies can still creep into content that’s completely AI-generated, so it’s unwise to let AI completely take the wheel. 

It’s also unclear how Google views content created by AI (considering its E-E-A-T algorithm that values original content demonstrating first-hand experiences). 

Moreover, some AI content tools work better than others, so it’s worth being choosy. 

We’re counting down the top AI content tools for generating blog posts and images, so read on to learn which tools are worthy of your time and money. 

Understanding How Modern AI Content Tools Work 

The AI tools of today look a heck of a lot different than the AI writers of yesteryear. 

As stated before, Grammarly has been around for ages, but it’s a proofreading/suggestion tool that lacks generative capabilities. 

Where Grammarly can suggest ways to rearrange or rewrite existing sentences, modern AI tools like ChatGPT and Copymatic take things to the next level. 

What’s the difference?

Large language models (LLMs) and natural language processing (NLP) have made it possible for AIs to comprehend and write human language in virtually every tone (professional, informal, conversational, etc.). 

Besides that, a form of machine learning called deep learning enabled AIs to continue to learn from every interaction they made with users, which means the AIs could educate themselves beyond their training data. 

These are the three components that comprise AI-powered content creation tools, and they’re why these modern tools vastly outshine their previous counterparts. 

Thanks to deep learning, LLMs, and NLP, users can hold entire conversations with chatbots like ChatGPT and Microsoft’s Copilot. 

Users can also prompt these chatbots to create text-based content like blogs, poems, essays, and product descriptions. 

They’re also invaluable tools for brainstorming, as you can ask a chatbot to generate topic ideas, title suggestions, and entire paragraphs. 

Using AI to create images 

In addition to writing original text-based content, there are also tools capable of generating images from text prompts written in natural language. 

OpenAI’s DALL-E made serious waves online after its release, and its image-generation capabilities became an instant hit on social media (you probably remember your friends generating images of themselves as astronauts or rockstars). 

At first, these tools were separate from chatbots and text-based content creation tools, but that’s starting to change.  

ChatGPT Plus and Enterprise users can now access DALL-E 3 within the chatbot, meaning they can generate images and text content in one location. 

Google’s Gemini shows incredible promise in this area as well due to its multimodal capabilities. 

What’s multimodal AI?

It’s an AI that can not only understand natural human language but can also process audio and use computer vision. 

As a result, the Gemini AI can understand voice and image-based prompts in addition to text prompts, as demonstrated by this demo video. 

Image generation is especially useful for small and medium-sized businesses that lack the in-house capability to create graphics and take original photos. 

Using an AI image generator can save you the cost of subscribing to a stock photo library, and you won’t have to spend hours trying to hunt down copyright-free images. 

Having said that, AI image generators take some getting used to, as you’ll need to perfect the prompting process to yield the best results. Even then, the generated images can look pretty funky (like people that have extra limbs or six fingers). 

Top Factors to Look for in AI Content Creation Tools 

If you’re going to invest in a generative AI tool, it needs to check all the boxes for you. 

For example, if you constantly use programs like Microsoft Teams and Excel in your daily operations, you’ll want an AI tool that integrates with them for a seamless workflow. 

Or if your entire team will use the AI, selecting a user-friendly program will make your life a lot easier. 

Here are the top features to look for in an AI-powered content generation tool. 

A cutting-edge LLM with current training data 

Not every AI content tool uses the same language model, which is definitely something to keep in mind when considering your options. 

Ideally, you should opt for a tool that uses a state-of-the-art LLM like OpenAI’s GPT-4 or Anthropic’s Claude 2. 

These are two of the most advanced language models around today, and they generate the best results. 

If you go with a tool that uses a subpar language model, you’ll receive low-quality results that likely contain plagiarism. 

Also, certain LLMs are able to access the internet through Google Search, including GPT-4 and Google’s BARD. These LLMs have an edge over others because they’re able to generate content based on the most accurate, up-to-date information. 

LLMs that aren’t able to access the internet are limited to their training data, which may or may not be outdated. 

GPT-3 famously had this problem during ChatGPT’s launch in November 2022, as it was only trained on online data up to September 2021. Now that GPT-4 has internet access via Google Search, the chatbot no longer has that problem. 

Existing tool integrations 

As stated previously, you’ll want to find a tool that integrates with your existing workflows. 

Otherwise, you’ll have to constantly click back and forth between applications when creating content, which is both time-consuming and inefficient (for instance, it’s much easier to make a mistake when rapidly switching between programs). 

That’s why it’s worth finding an AI content creation program that meshes well with your current toolset. 

ChatGPT features an API that enables users to integrate it with any application that allows API access. 

Other AI content tools, like Jasper, connect with Zapier to enable thousands of app integrations. 

That’ll make it far easier to introduce an AI-powered tool into your content creation process since you won’t have to keep switching between applications like a maniac. 

For example, if you like to draft blogs in Google Docs, finding an AI writer that integrates with it will make your life a lot easier. You’ll be able to generate and rewrite text within Google Docs until it’s perfect, and then you can import it straight into your CMS. 

That certainly beats generating text within the content tool, copying and pasting it into Google Docs, reformatting it, and then importing it to your CMS. 

This is only one example of how third-party app integrations will help simplify your content creation process, which is why it’s worth including them in your list of must-have features. 

No, don’t say that! Control over outputs 

What’s your brand voice like? Is it fun and informal, or are you staunchly professional?

Whatever the case may be, you’ll need an AI content tool that offers complete control over the outputs to ensure you wind up with the right tone for your brand. 

Some AI writing tools lack customizability, meaning that you’re stuck with whatever tone the AI feels like spitting out at the time. 

The best AI writing assistants give you the option to alter the AI’s voice, tone, word choice, and language. 

The best tools also provide multiple results for each prompt, giving you a few options instead of just one. 

This variety will make it easier to generate content that aligns with your brand’s values and tone, which is a plus. 

If you choose a generic tool with little customizability, your content will come off as very generic and static. 

Also, if your business is international, AI content tools that can write in several different languages come in very handy. 

So easy a caveman could do it: User-friendliness

An AI tool can have the most advanced and awe-inspiring features in the world, but if you can’t figure out how to use them, it may as well be a weather widget. 

The complexity of a user interface is always something to consider with any software tool, regardless if it’s AI-powered or not. 

If you’re able to give an AI content tool a test drive, you’ll get to see first-hand whether it’s easy to use or convoluted. 

Third-party reviews are great, but what a tech writer views as intuitive may be complex to some. That’s why a free trial or demo is the best way to judge the user-friendliness of an AI content tool, as everyone’s needs vary. 

Also, think about how others at your organization will respond to the tool. 

If multiple content writers and marketers will use the program, then it’s wise to let them check things out before you make a final decision. 

The good news is most AI content tools are pretty straightforward, so it shouldn’t take you and your team too long to get the hang of things. 

Spend money to make money: Affordability  

It’s crucial not to get too distracted by all the fancy features and capabilities of an AI content generation tool. 

The eye is often bigger than the belly … or the wallet, in this case. 

Knowing your budget beforehand will help you remain grounded when prospecting generative AI programs. 

Check each tool’s subscription plan to see if it’s more affordable to pay an annual sum instead of monthly installments. 

Also, pay close attention to the features associated with each pricing tier. 

While a tool’s premium tier may be out of your league, you may be able to get everything you need (and remain within your budget) with one of the lower tiers. 

Some tools also have free versions, albeit with limited features and access, but can still be a great deal regardless. 

For example, higher pricing tiers are usually for larger companies, so small businesses and websites can easily meet their needs with the standard and free options. 

Robo Wordsmiths: The Top 5 AI Content Tools Worth Considering

There are countless AI tools you can use for content creation out there, and new ones pop up every single day. 

As a result, trying to find a suitable AI content tool for your needs can quickly become a daunting task. 

The good news?

We’ve already done the hard part for you and narrowed things down to the top 5 AI content creation tools available today. 

These tools feature state-of-the-art LLMs, intuitive user interfaces, many customizable options, and dozens of positive reviews from satisfied customers. 

Yet, even the best generative AI tools still make occasional hiccups, which is why you shouldn’t blindly post whatever they spit out. 

You’ll need to designate at least one person to fact-check the content that you generate (and ensure that it’s truly plagiarism-free). 

It’s also wise to have at least one team member capable of adding their own two cents to your generated content – preferably an SME (subject matter expert) on whatever topic you’re discussing. 

That’ll help you appeal to Google’s E-E-A-T guidelines, which will improve the chances of better SERP rankings (and that Google won’t devalue your content due to it being auto-generated). 

Having said that, here’s a look at the 5 best AI-powered tools for content creation. 

#1: Copymatic 

No matter the type of content you want to generate, Copymatic is bound to have an existing tool made for it. 

Copymatic features 82 AI-powered content creation tools that cover everything from blog posts to job descriptions, YouTube tags, and newsletters. 

There’s also a state-of-the-art image generator, so you’ll be able to create original images for your content. 

A subscription to Copymatic also grants you access to CopyChat, a super smart chatbot akin to ChatGPT. 

Users can generate content and images straight from the CopyChat interface, and it has access to Google Search data to ensure all generated results are accurate and up to date. 

There are also lots of brainstorming tools that will help your human writers overcome writer’s block and improve the quality of their writing. 

For example, there are tools for:

• SEO keyword ideas (great for streamlining keyword research) 
• Blog ideas 
• Blog outlines
• Blog titles 
• Content rewriter (good for reimagining awkwardly written sentences) 
• Talking points (if you aren’t sure what to say about each subheading) 

Copymatic’s interface is effortless to use, and there are lots of customizable options. Users can tweak the AI’s tone of voice and language – and the tool generates multiple original results at a time. 

Pricing-wise, Copymatic’s Pro version runs at $19 per month and features access to all 82 tools. However, you only get one user seat. If you need more seats, the Team plan ($32 per month) has 5 user seats, and the Enterprise plan ($66 per month) features 25 user seats. 

#2: Descript 

Descript is a tad different from the other tools on this list, as it’s more of a content editor than a generative AI tool. 

However, it earns a spot on this list as it’s extremely helpful if you produce videos or podcasts. 

It greatly simplifies the video editing process by doing things like automatically identifying the best takes and removing unnecessary words from scripts. Descript also contains a massive stock library of images, GIFs, videos, sound effects, and music tracks that you can use in your content. 

Another impressive AI-powered feature is the ability to achieve studio-quality sound with a single click – which is super useful if you’ve been trying to achieve better sound (but lack the time to work on it) for your podcasts and videos. 

There are also AI stock voices you can use for voice overs, and you can also create a shockingly accurate clone of your own voice. 

If you’ve been winging your video content by shooting and editing on iPhones, using Descript will provide a much-needed quality boost. You can add green screen effects, improve image and sound quality, and access a ton of stock media. 

The best part?

You can use Descript for free for up to 1 hour per month. Other plans include the Creator plan for $12 per month (10 hours of usage) and the Pro plan for $24 per month (30 hours of usage). 

#3: ChatGPT 

The world’s most famous chatbot has come a long way since its original inception. 

Now powered by an extremely robust LLM (GPT-4), ChatGPT also has access to Google Search, and you can integrate it with thousands of applications. 

ChatGPT excels at generating lists, titles, and content ideas. 

As far as generating entire pieces of content from scratch, it’s still very hit-and-miss. 

You’ll have to do quite a bit of prompting and editing to wind up with a suitable piece of content, and even then, it’ll still lack original insights and first-hand experiences – two things that are very important to Google. 

Yet, it’s impossible to deny how handy ChatGPT can be for curing writer’s block in a pinch. 

Let’s say you’re having a hard time coming up with keyword ideas to research. 

All you have to do is ask ChatGPT to generate some relevant keywords for you (via its access to Google Search), and you’ll have a long list of keywords to vet through other tools (like our free keyword planner). 

#4: Lately 

Do you create lots of long-form, thought leader-style blog posts?

If so, you can get a lot out of a tool like Lately. 

It’s an AI-powered tool that takes existing blog posts and generates tons of new social media posts from it. 

This will save you the hassle of creating separate social media posts that touch on the same topics as your primary blog. 

Simply enter one of your blog posts into the tool, and you’ll have literally dozens of social media posts to work with. 

The best part?

Since the tool draws from your original work, the AI has an easier time replicating your unique brand voice. 

The downside of that is you’ll need lots of original content that exemplifies your brand’s voice and values to use Lately. So, if you’re in the market for tools that will generate content from scratch, you’re better off with a tool like Copymatic. 

Another drawback is how pricey the tool is, as plans start at $49 per month and run up to $199 per month (based on how many social channels you want to use). 

#5: Canva 

While you may have used Canva to design your resume, it also offers a pretty savvy AI image generator that anyone can use. 

There’s even a free version that, while offering limited designs, is still an inexpensive way to create original images for your content. 

If you’re already using Canva Pro for your business, you’ll be able to access the full version of the AI image generator, and it boasts some impressive capabilities. 

In fact, Canva’s AI image generator offers more customizable options than other mainstream image generators, which is why it makes the list. 

Its Magic Studio features make it effortless to produce stunning original images that will enhance your content and make it more visually appealing to your readers. 

Despite offering limited designs, the free version of Canva’s AI image generator is a game changer for smaller websites and companies. 

Canva Pro runs at $14.99 per month, which is still pretty affordable. 

In Summary: How Effective are AI-Powered Content Tools?

Those are our picks for the best AI content generation tools available right now. 

There’s no doubt that AI tools can be enormously helpful with the content creation process, but they’re still not a suitable substitute for human writers and editors. 

The solution?

You can achieve the best of both worlds by combining state-of-the-art AI content tools with a team of expert writers, editors, and fact-checkers. 

That’s precisely what we provide with AI Content Plus, our AI services that still feature human content creators to ensure accuracy, authenticity, and quality. 

Our AI-and-human-powered services are the best way to release top-quality content at scale, so don’t wait to sign up for AI Content Plus today.    

The post Man vs. Machine: Ranking the Top AI Content Tools for 2024 appeared first on The HOTH.