As we wrap up another year, it’s the perfect time to explore tools that can give your business a competitive edge in 2026. The Growth Hub team has been testing some of the best free online platforms powered by AI. These tools can help you create content, streamline operations, and upskill your team without spending a penny. Here’s what our experts recommend—and why they believe these areas matter for your business.
Chris Stevens, Head of Business Support
Chris believes that understanding your data is the backbone of smart decision-making. His recommendation is Google Analytics, a free tool that gives businesses deep insights into how customers interact with their website. From tracking visitor behaviour to identifying which marketing channels drive the most traffic, it helps you make informed choices rather than relying on guesswork.
For those looking to go further, alternatives like Hotjar provide heatmaps and user feedback, Mailerlite offers email marketing analytics, and Buffer or Hootsuite help track social media performance. Chris points out that while these tools are powerful, they require time and consistency to interpret the data properly—analytics only add value if you act on what you learn.
Rob Creer, Growth Hub Manager
Rob sees video as one of the most engaging forms of content for marketing and storytelling. His pick is Veo 3.1, which turns text prompts into professional-looking videos. This is a huge time-saver for businesses that want to produce explainer videos or promotional clips without hiring a production team. Other tools like Runway Gen-4 and Sora 2 are worth exploring too. While these tools are impressive, Rob notes that brand consistency and complex narratives still need a human touch.
Laura Arlott, Business Navigator (Skills)
Laura is passionate about skills development and says understanding AI is no longer optional—it’s essential. She recommends the Google AI Certificate, a free programme that helps businesses and individuals grasp AI fundamentals. Upskilling your team now means you’ll be ready for the opportunities and challenges AI brings. For deeper learning, MIT AI Training and freeCodeCamp AI are excellent alternatives, and YouTube AI Tutorials are great for quick wins. The limitation? Knowledge is only the first step—practical application takes time.
Tanya Knight, Business Navigator
Tanya believes strong visuals are key to standing out online. Her favourite tool is Canva AI, which makes creating stunning graphics effortless. Whether it’s social media posts or presentations, Canva helps businesses without a designer produce professional content. If you want something more artistic, Midjourney is a good option, and Freepik AI offers stock-style visuals. Tanya’s advice? While these tools are brilliant, bespoke branding still benefits from professional design input.
Russel Fowell, GPIF Manager
Russel says e-commerce is no longer optional for many businesses—it’s where growth happens. His top choice is Wix, a free platform for building online stores quickly and easily. It’s perfect for businesses taking their first steps into online retail. Other options include WooCommerce for WordPress users and Stripe or PayPal for secure payments. The only drawback? Free plans can be limited, so scaling up may require a paid upgrade.
Damon Oldcorn, Business Navigator
Damon believes strong branding starts with great visuals. He recommends Unsplash, a free source of high-quality images that can elevate websites, social media and marketing materials. Combine it with tools like Canva or Figma for design flexibility, and check out Pexels for even more free imagery. His tip? Stock images are useful, but mix them with original content for authenticity.
Tim Burghes, Head of Marketing and Communications
Tim stresses that visibility is everything. If people can’t find you, they can’t buy from you. He recommends Threads, a growing social platform that’s great for building brand awareness and community. Alternatives like YouTube, Instagram and Facebook remain powerful for storytelling and engagement. Tim’s advice? Social platforms work best with consistent posting and interaction—AI can help with content creation, but the conversation still needs a human voice.
AI is no longer a futuristic concept; it’s a practical resource for businesses of all sizes. These free tools can help you reduce costs, save time and stay competitive in a fast-changing digital landscape. Just remember, they’re accelerators, not replacements for human creativity and strategy.