In the long list of AI tools used in the United States, Canva has topped the list as the most popular so far in 2025, both generally and in the Generative AI category.
The insights in this article are based primarily on the second quarter (Q2) 2025 survey by YouGov, which tracks AI tool popularity across the US by age, gender, and popularity.
UPDATE: At the time of publishing, the source has been updated to include Q4 2025 results, in which Canva now ranks 5th. ChatGPT, Grammarly, Microsoft Pilot, and Google Gemini now take the first four positions in popularity.
TL;DR
- Generative AI tools like ChatGPT and Canva dominate in the U.S. because they are easy to use, solve everyday problems, and attract millions of active users.
Top 20 Most Popular AI Tools in the U.S. (2025)
| wdt_ID | wdt_created_by | wdt_created_at | wdt_last_edited_by | wdt_last_edited_at | Rank | AI Tool | Popularity | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Monica Ebunoluwa | 06/04/2026 01:42 PM | Monica Ebunoluwa | 06/04/2026 01:42 PM | 1 | Canva | 45% | Generative AI |
| 2 | Monica Ebunoluwa | 06/04/2026 01:42 PM | Monica Ebunoluwa | 06/04/2026 01:42 PM | 2 | ChatGPT | 43% | Productivity AI |
| 3 | Monica Ebunoluwa | 06/04/2026 01:42 PM | Monica Ebunoluwa | 06/04/2026 01:42 PM | 3 | Google Gemini | 40% | Writing Assistant |
| 4 | Monica Ebunoluwa | 06/04/2026 01:42 PM | Monica Ebunoluwa | 06/04/2026 01:42 PM | 4 | Grammarly | 39% | Design & Image AI |
| 5 | Monica Ebunoluwa | 06/04/2026 01:42 PM | Monica Ebunoluwa | 06/04/2026 01:42 PM | 5 | Microsoft Copilot | 33% | Generative AI |
| 6 | Monica Ebunoluwa | 06/04/2026 01:42 PM | Monica Ebunoluwa | 06/04/2026 01:42 PM | 6 | Hugging Face | 26% | Content Generation |
| 7 | Monica Ebunoluwa | 06/04/2026 01:42 PM | Monica Ebunoluwa | 06/04/2026 01:42 PM | 7 | GitHub | 24% | Conversational AI |
| 8 | Monica Ebunoluwa | 06/04/2026 01:42 PM | Monica Ebunoluwa | 06/04/2026 01:42 PM | 8 | DALL-E | 22% | Conversational AI |
| 9 | Monica Ebunoluwa | 06/04/2026 01:42 PM | Monica Ebunoluwa | 06/04/2026 01:42 PM | 9 | OpenAI Playground | 22% | Conversational AI |
| 10 | Monica Ebunoluwa | 06/04/2026 01:42 PM | Monica Ebunoluwa | 06/04/2026 01:42 PM | 10 | Character AI | 21% | Productivity AI |
Why These AI Tools Rank the Most
The report from YouGov indicates that Americans prefer AI tools that are easy to use.
Canva (45%), ChatGPT (43%), Grammarly (39%), and DeepL (18%) lead the list because they fit easily into daily work and study routines.
Each of these tools wins because it solves real problems without a steep learning curve, which is one primary reason they remain America’s most widely used AI platforms.
Gen Zs Use AI Tools The Most in the U.S
Observing the ranking, younger generations, particularly Gen Z and Millennials, are the most likely to use AI tools.
These groups drive the highest engagement with creative and conversational tools such as ChatGPT, Canva, and Grammarly.
Gen Z users (ages 18–27) show the strongest adoption, reflecting their comfort with digital learning, content creation, and everyday automation.
Millennials follow closely, leaning toward productivity and professional uses, from writing aids to design platforms.
Across all demographics, AI awareness and casual interaction are now mainstream, but sustained, creative use remains highest among younger users.
ELI5
Americans love AI tools that simplify their lives. ChatGPT helps people find the right words, Canva lets anyone design without learning art, and DeepL breaks language barriers in seconds.
These tools save time and make work (and play) easier.