ChatGPT
Best for synthesis & microcopy
Brainstorm IA, draft microcopy, and synthesize research in minutes.
Editorial note
Your prompting skill in ChatGPT is now a portfolio-grade skill. Don't underestimate it just because everyone has access.
Why we recommend it
The most flexible AI thinking partner for IA, microcopy, research synthesis, and prep.
| Pricing | Free / $20 plus |
| Free tier | Yes |
| Best use case | Synthesis & writing |
| AI-native? | Yes |
| Learning curve | Low |
More research tools
Dovetail
Best for centralising user research
Research repository with AI-powered tagging and synthesis.
Editorial note
If you stop research from dying in Slack threads, you stop being a feature factory. Dovetail is the most opinionated tool for that job.
UserTesting
Best for fast access to real users
Moderated and unmoderated testing with a recruited panel.
Editorial note
Pricey, but the recruiting alone saves a week. Worth it once a quarter even if you can't expense it monthly.
Hotjar
Best for behavioural insights on live sites
Heatmaps, session recordings, and on-site surveys for live products.
Editorial note
Watching ten real session recordings will change how you design. Cheaper than another usability test.