Best AI tools to market and industry research

Short answer

CB Insights ranks #1 for market and industry research (score 8.8/10). Pricing: Custom pricing (contact sales); free tier: Unverified. Runners-up: Perplexity, AlphaSense.

Top 5, ranked by our published rubric. Sponsorship never affects the order. Last updated 2026-10-13.

Compare the top 5 side by side
#ToolScorePricingPaid fromFree tierWhat it is
1CB Insights8.8CustomCustom pricing (contact sales)UnverifiedMarket and company intelligence
2Perplexity8.2Free tier$17/mo (Pro, billed annually)yesAI answer engine with citations
3AlphaSense7.8CustomCustom (contact sales)noMarket intelligence and AI search over filings
4PitchBook6.2UnverifiedUnverifiedUnverifiedPrivate market data
5Crunchbase5.6From $99Pro $99/mo billed monthlyunknownCompany data and prospecting
Rank 1

CB Insights

CustomVisit CB Insights (opens in a new tab)

Market and company intelligence

Score 8.8/10Paid from: Custom pricing (contact sales)Free tier: UnverifiedLast verified 2026-10-13

Why ranked: Its own site says: “Private company ratings and intelligence to source your next investment, acquisition, partner, or customer.” We placed it 1st of 5 on fit for this task. No public price (sales-led).

Fit 10.0 · value 5.0 · breadth 10 · availability 10 (how we score) · pricing source · site live

Rank 2

Perplexity

Free tierVisit Perplexity (opens in a new tab)

AI answer engine with citations

Score 8.2/10Paid from: $17/mo (Pro, billed annually)Free tier: yesLast verified 2026-10-13

Why ranked: Perplexity: AI answer engine with citations. We placed it 3rd of 5 on fit for this task. Free tier; paid from $17/mo (Pro, billed annually).

Fit 7.0 · value 10.0 · breadth 10 · availability 7 (how we score) · pricing source · site bot-blocked (403)

Rank 3

AlphaSense

CustomVisit AlphaSense (opens in a new tab)

Market intelligence and AI search over filings

Score 7.8/10Paid from: Custom (contact sales)Free tier: noLast verified 2026-10-13

Why ranked: Its own site says: “Find company insights, market data and research across 500M+ documents instantly.” We placed it 2nd of 5 on fit for this task. No public price (sales-led).

Fit 8.5 · value 4.4 · breadth 10 · availability 10 (how we score) · pricing source · site live

SPONSORED Your tool here: paid placement is shown here, separate from the ranking, and never changes the order. Advertise
Rank 4

PitchBook

UnverifiedVisit PitchBook (opens in a new tab)

Private market data

Score 6.2/10Paid from: UnverifiedFree tier: UnverifiedLast verified 2026-10-13

Why ranked: PitchBook: Private market data. We placed it 4th of 5 on fit for this task. Pricing unverified.

Fit 5.5 · value 5.0 · breadth 10 · availability 7 (how we score) · no readable pricing page · site bot-blocked (403)

Rank 5

Crunchbase

From $99Visit Crunchbase (opens in a new tab)

Company data and prospecting

Score 5.6/10Paid from: Pro $99/mo billed monthlyFree tier: unknownLast verified 2026-10-13

Why ranked: Its own site says: “Discover private company data, funding insights, and AI-powered predictions with Crunchbase.” We placed it 5th of 5 on fit for this task. No free plan confirmed; paid from Pro $99/mo billed monthly.

Fit 4.0 · value 4.4 · breadth 10 · availability 10 (how we score) · pricing source · site live

FAQ

What is the best AI tool to market and industry research?

By TaskRanking's published rubric, CB Insights ranks first, followed by Perplexity and AlphaSense.

Is there a free AI tool to market and industry research?

Yes: Perplexity has a free tier per its own pricing page (checked 2026-10-13).

How are these tools ranked?

Score = 50% fit, 25% value (from vendor pricing pages), 15% breadth, 10% availability. Sponsorship never affects rank.

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