It's natural to want to know what everyone else is using before you dive in. So which AI tools do UK teachers actually use day to day? Here's an honest look at the most popular options — and why popularity alone shouldn't decide your choice.
The most widely used AI tools among UK teachers
A few names come up again and again in UK staffrooms:
- Teachmate — used by 420,000+ educators, one of the most popular UK-built toolkits
- ChatGPT — the general tool most teachers have tried at least once
- MagicSchool — hugely popular globally, growing fast in the UK
- Canva for Education — near-universal for resources and displays
- Oak's Aila — increasingly used thanks to being free and curriculum-aligned
See how they compare in our ranked comparison and full tools directory.
Why these tools are popular
The common thread is that they save time on the tasks teachers dread — planning, reports, resources and admin. Teachmate's scale comes from being UK-built and broad; ChatGPT's from being the name everyone knows; Canva's from being free and genuinely brilliant for visuals. Popularity usually tracks "does this actually save me time?"
But don't just follow the crowd: the most popular tool isn't automatically right for you. The best tool depends on your role, your tasks and your school. A headteacher, a Year 2 teacher and a SENCO will get value from different tools. Popularity is a useful signal, not a decision.
What most teachers get wrong
The mistake isn't picking the "wrong" tool — it's picking a popular tool and then never learning to use it properly. Most teachers who say "I tried AI and it didn't help" simply weren't shown how. The teachers getting real value aren't using secret tools; they've just had a bit of guidance on using the common ones well.
The bottom line
Teachmate, ChatGPT, MagicSchool and Canva are what most UK teachers use — and they're all good starting points. But which is right for you, and how to actually get value from it, is a more useful question than "what's most popular." See how schools use AI to help, not replace, teachers.
Want to use the popular tools well?
Most teachers pick a good tool then never learn to use it properly. AskColin offers low-cost monthly support for schools — with one-to-one help whenever you need it, so there's always someone to ask. Practical, jargon-free, and built around your staff.
Get ongoing AI support for your schoolFrequently asked questions
What AI do most teachers use in the UK?
The most widely used are Teachmate (420,000+ educators), ChatGPT (the general tool most have tried), MagicSchool, Canva for Education (near-universal for resources), and increasingly Oak's Aila. They're popular because they save time on planning, reports, resources and admin.
Why are these AI tools so popular with teachers?
The common thread is saving time on the tasks teachers dread — planning, reports, resources and admin. Teachmate's scale comes from being UK-built and broad, ChatGPT's from being the best-known name, and Canva's from being free and excellent for visuals. Popularity tracks 'does this save me time?'
Should I just use the most popular AI tool?
Not automatically — the most popular tool isn't necessarily right for you. The best tool depends on your role, tasks and school; a headteacher, a Year 2 teacher and a SENCO will value different tools. Popularity is a useful signal, not a decision.
Why do some teachers say AI didn't help them?
Usually not because they picked the wrong tool, but because they picked a tool and never learned to use it properly. The teachers getting real value aren't using secret tools — they've just had a bit of guidance on using the common ones well.