After testing dozens of AI tools, I settled on paying for 9 specific services that deliver real value for my work. Here’s exactly what I use and why each one is worth the money.
ChatGPT Plus – $20/month
The most versatile AI assistant available right now. I use it daily for coding, analysis, and general tasks. While the free version is good, the Plus subscription gives access to GPT-4 and priority processing, making it a must-have.
Claude Pro – $20/month
In my opinion, Claude is the best LLM overall, especially for writing and coding. It’s great at handling long-context inputs, following nuanced instructions, and producing structured content. The Pro version offers 5x more usage and priority access, making it essential for in-depth projects.
Perplexity Pro – $20/month
Perplexity shines at real-time research and citation. The Pro version removes usage limits and adds features like custom collections. For research-heavy projects, it saves hours of manual work by surfacing and summarizing relevant sources.
Gemini Advanced
The only reason I pay for Gemini is Deep Research. While its multimodal capabilities are interesting, they aren’t my focus. However, for certain research workflows, it has been useful enough to justify keeping the subscription.
Fal.ai API
I rely on Fal.ai for fast, high-quality image generation and editing tasks. Their API pricing is usage-based, making it cost-effective. The speed and quality of their image models make it a go-to for visual content creation.
Ideogram API
Ideogram consistently delivers the best text-in-image results I’ve seen. Their API allows me to automate the creation of social media graphics and marketing materials while maintaining strong visual quality.
Deepseek API
Deepseek is an excellent AI for code generation. I use its API for initial generation in personal projects. The accuracy is reliable enough to integrate into my workflows.
Groq API
I use Groq’s API for its ultra-fast inference speeds. If response time is critical, Groq is unmatched. Currently, I’m on their developer tier, leveraging it for high-speed processing tasks.
ElevenLabs API
For text-to-speech, ElevenLabs offers the most natural-sounding AI voices. I use it for generating voiceovers and audio content automatically.
Final Thoughts
I don’t pay for AI tools unless they solve a specific problem in my workflow. Instead of subscribing to everything, I recommend starting with 1-2 tools that address your biggest needs, then expanding if necessary.
These tools serve distinct purposes in my work, and while the combined monthly cost adds up, the time saved and value delivered make them worth the investment.
What AI tools do you pay for?
