I Ranked the Best AI Tools to Make Money in 2026

AI Tools Ranking for Wealth Creation in 2026

Key Concepts:

• AI Incubator: A company (Martell Ventures in this case) focused on launching and testing new AI-powered businesses.
• Prompt Engineering: The skill of crafting effective instructions (prompts) for AI models to generate desired outputs.
• Hallucination (in AI): Instances where an AI model generates inaccurate or nonsensical information.
• Open Source: Software with publicly available code, allowing for auditing and modification.
• Habit Stacking: Linking a new habit (using an AI tool) to an existing habit to increase consistency.
• Workflow Automation: Using technology to streamline and automate repetitive business processes.
• LLM (Large Language Model): The underlying technology powering tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini.

I. Tiered Ranking of AI Tools

The speaker ranks AI tools across five tiers based on their potential for generating wealth in 2026:

• S Tier (Non-Negotiable): Essential for future success.
• A Tier (Widespread, but not Universal): Valuable and gaining traction.
• B Tier (Niche, but Valuable): Useful for specific applications.
• C Tier (Rare ROI): May work in limited cases, but inconsistent results.
• F Tier (Don't Bother): Flashy but lacking real value.

II. Detailed Tool Breakdown & Ranking

A. S Tier – Foundational & High Impact

1. ChatGPT (OpenAI): Dominates the market with ~700 million weekly users. Versatile for writing, coding, and automation. Considered the most impactful AI tool currently available. (Quote: “Use it. If you’re not using it, learn it.”)
2. Zapier: A long-standing automation tool (pre-AI) that has quickly integrated AI capabilities. Connects 6,000+ apps for no-code workflow automation. Essential for modern businesses. (Quote: “This one is foundation to any modern business.”)
3. Your.com: Focuses on voice and phone call automation, offering revenue-generating opportunities (e.g., outbound qualifying, inbound responses). The speaker, with a portfolio company stake, believes voice interfaces will become dominant. (Quote: “Every interface in the future will go away and it’ll all be voice.”)
4. Granola.ai: Records calls discreetly on the user’s end, providing automated notes, recaps, and action items. Highly recommended by the speaker’s network of technical AI experts. (Quote: “I think everybody should use Granola.”)

B. A Tier – Strong Potential & Growing Adoption

1. 11 Labs: Produces highly realistic AI voices, used for correcting pronunciation errors ("pickups") and creating professional voiceovers. Strong potential in content creation. (Quote: “Huge opportunity to make a ton of money, do it for yourself as a marketing thing.”)
2. Grok (xAI): Elon Musk’s AI, rapidly improving in accuracy and research depth. The speaker predicts it will become the second most powerful AI after ChatGPT.
3. Gum Loop: A visual AI workflow builder, offering a more intuitive interface than Zapier. Used for automating financial and recruiting processes.
4. BuddyPro.ai: An AI-powered knowledge base trained on a company’s specific information, allowing clients and teams to find answers without direct interaction. Significant cost-saving potential.

C. B Tier – Niche Value & Specific Use Cases

1. Gamma.app: Functions as a full-time designer, generating visually appealing reports, proposals, and presentations. The speaker believes it’s a category winner. (Quote: “I think every business could use it. I think they should make everything they produce as an output prettier.”)
2. Runway ML: AI-powered video generation tool for creating marketing collateral, walkthroughs, and other video content. More challenging to use than some other tools.
3. Leonardo.ai: Generates concept art and branded visuals. Prone to “hallucinations” (inconsistencies) when creating branded material, limiting its broad applicability.
4. Lovable.ai: Enables non-technical users to build apps, often leveraging prompts generated by ChatGPT. Potential for creating and selling custom apps to businesses.

D. C Tier – Limited ROI & Specific Circumstances

1. Notion AI: AI assistant integrated within the Notion project management workspace. Useful for writing, note-taking, and organization, but overshadowed by OpenAI’s launch of “Company Knowledge.”
2. Fixer.ai: An email AI tool for categorization and organization. Offers productivity gains but lacks the broader impact of other tools.
3. Notebook LM (Google): Analyzes and summarizes files, including YouTube videos. Niche application for researchers, writers, and students.

E. F Tier – Avoid

1. Apple Intelligence: Criticized for its poor performance and lack of innovation. The speaker advises avoiding it in favor of other AI tools. (Quote: “Run away. Until they launch something way better. Don't use it.”)

III. Methodology & Framework

The speaker’s ranking is based on:

• Personal Testing: Over 500 AI tools tested at Martell Ventures.
• Real-World Application: Focus on tools that demonstrably generate revenue or save significant time.
• Future Potential: Assessment of long-term viability and growth prospects.
• Ease of Use: Consideration of the learning curve and accessibility for different users.

IV. Actionable Insights & Recommendations

• Focus on Habit Stacking: Integrate AI tool usage into existing workflows.
• Prioritize Installation & Setup: Don't just research; actively implement and experiment.
• Leverage the AI Company OS: The speaker promotes a free resource (accessible via link/QR code) containing AI prompts and system documentation used by his team.
• Start with One Tool: Avoid overwhelm by focusing on a single tool that resonates with your business needs.

V. Conclusion

The AI landscape is rapidly evolving. While numerous tools exist, a select few offer significant potential for wealth creation in 2026. Prioritizing foundational tools like ChatGPT, Zapier, and Your.com, alongside strategic experimentation with niche applications, is crucial for businesses seeking to leverage the power of AI. The key is not just knowing about these tools, but actively using them to build new habits and automate processes.