I've Subscribed to a Ton of AI Tools, But Only These Few Are Worth Paying For

I admit I'm the type of person who wants to try out new tools. Over the past year, my credit card bill has shown over a dozen AI subscriptions, with some being refunded after just two days and others still being charged to this day. Today, I won't be recommending or promoting anything, but rather sharing my honest thoughts on which tools I think are worth paying for and which ones are a waste of money.

Worth paying for, category 1: Tools I use every day

My judging criteria are simple - the frequency of use. The tools I've actually renewed my subscription for are the ones I "almost open every day".

For me, it's a general-purpose conversational AI. When I'm writing code and get stuck, need to look something up, or draft an email, I open it over a dozen times a day. The paid version of this tool, which unlocks better models and higher usage limits, is a bargain for me because I'm actually using it, not just thinking I will.

If you don't open a tool at least three times a week, don't pay for it. This is a lesson I've learned the hard way with my own money.

Worth paying for, category 2: Tools that save me from "tedious work"

The second category is tools that automate tasks I dislike and have to do.

I hate taking notes after meetings. So, meeting recording tools like Granola are worth paying for - not because they're amazing, but because they save me from a task I always put off. These "pain point solvers" are worth paying for if the pain point is significant and frequent enough.

My judging method: ask yourself "how often do I do this task in a month? how much do I dislike it?" If it's frequent and painful, it's worth paying for. If it's occasional and not so bad, use the free version.

A waste of money: Tools that "look impressive"

Now, let's talk about the tools I've canceled.

The most common type is "tools with impressive features, but no actual need for me". I once subscribed to a powerful AI video generation tool because the demo video was cool. But, as an ordinary office worker, I didn't need to make videos at all. It was impressive, but irrelevant to my life. I subscribed for three months before admitting: I was fooled by the demo, not actually needing it.

The second type is "tools I thought would change my life". When I bought them, I fantasized about becoming a productivity master, using them to learn and grow every day. Reality is, I used them for a week and then went back to my old habits. These tools aren't bad; I just overestimated my own willpower.

My current judging process

After being charged unfairly many times, I've developed a habit:

1. Use the free version for a week first. Almost all tools have a free trial or quota. Use the free version for your actual work, not just playing around, but actually using it to handle your tasks. After a week, if you still can't live without it, consider paying.

2. Set a "subscription review day". I have a fixed day every month to review all my subscriptions and ask myself "how many times did I use this last month?" If I didn't use it, I cancel it immediately. Don't let those "maybe I'll use it someday" subscriptions keep charging you.

3. One tool that can replace ten is more cost-effective. I later discovered that instead of subscribing to many specialized tools, each doing one thing, it's better to spend money on one or two truly versatile tools that I use every day.

Finally

There are many AI tools, and their marketing is often very good, with impressive demos. But whether you'll actually use them or need them, only you know. Don't pay for "future you", pay for "current you". If you're actually using a tool and it's helping you, it's worth it; if you're just thinking "I should have this", it's probably a waste of money.

If you want to start with free tools, you can check out our collection of free AI tools, or use ask AI for recommendations to find the ones that fit your needs.