Not every AI tool has a mobile app. And not every tool works the same on your phone as on your computer. This page gives you the short answer to "what should I install on my phone right now?". For the per-tool detail, the Top 100 list now shows iOS, Android, Mac and Windows badges next to each tool — so you can see at a glance which platforms each one supports.

The four mobile apps to install

If you do nothing else on this page, install these four on your phone.

Claude. Voice mode, camera (photograph a document and ask questions about it), and conversations that sync across your devices. Best for thoughtful writing, document analysis and one tool that does most things well.

ChatGPT. Voice mode that is genuinely conversational, camera integration, and the broadest feature set of any AI app. Best for general use.

Google Gemini. Tight integration with Gmail, Calendar, Docs and the rest of Google's apps. On Android it can replace Google Assistant entirely, giving you AI from any screen. If you live in Google Workspace, this is the one.

Perplexity. The research one. Cites every claim back to a source. Great for fact-checks on the go and quick research while you are away from a desk.

Mobile versus desktop

For Claude, ChatGPT and Gemini, the mobile apps are excellent for voice conversations, quick questions, photographing things for analysis, and continuing work you started on your computer. The desktop apps add features that make sense on a bigger screen: Claude has Projects (saved workspaces with custom instructions) and Cowork (an agent that can open files and drive your browser). ChatGPT has Custom GPTs that are easier to manage on a desktop. Gemini's Workspace integration lights up most fully on the web.

For everything else, the answer is usually "your laptop". Building apps with Bolt.new on a phone screen is not practical. Editing presentations in Gamma is awkward on a phone. Long sessions with NotebookLM are easier on a bigger screen. Generating videos in Runway works on mobile but previewing and managing clips is easier on a larger display.

How to check what platforms a tool supports

The Top 100 AI Tools page now shows platform badges next to each entry — iOS, Android, Mac, Windows. No badge means web-only (you use it in your browser). The badges are kept current with the fortnightly Top 100 refresh, so they reflect what is actually available rather than what was promised.