Tools are things that you use to accomplish tasks. They behave predictably, and you can become skilled in using it more effectively.

Non-tools are things that try to adapt to you. They're optimized for first-time users, or to create an "experience". You cannot go fast with them, even with familiarity. They don't act in your best interests.

A hammer is a tool. Excel is a tool. Google search used to be a tool, but it's been more non-tool for the better part of a decade.

Sometimes people want non-tools. It varies with person and task. But in general, long-term users tend to prefer tool-like uses.