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Which AI tools are worth paying for?

Four AI tools I actually pay money for, and the buying test I run before adding a fifth.

R Riya Daftary Published 14 Sep 2026

These are the four I actually pay for. I'm always looking at what a tool helps me get done, because a twenty-dollar subscription you barely use is still a waste of money.

01

Claude

Especially for big projects with a lot of files, research, or code. I personally use the 20x Max plan.

02

ChatGPT Plus

Which includes Codex for building and shipping code.

03

Higgsfield

Especially if you make content or run ads, being able to create videos without filming is a game-changer.

04

Grok

I'd use it for work that keeps coming back: you set up the process once, then review what it brings back.

The one I'd make prove itself

Perplexity is one I'd make prove itself before I paid for another subscription, the honest question is whether a dedicated research tool adds enough beyond the research already built into the tools above. That's a real buying decision, not a knock on the product.

The test before you pay

Ask one thing: does this help me finish work I actually do, often? If the free tier covers it, or you'd open it twice a month, skip it. Put a reminder 30 days out and cancel anything that hasn't earned its place.

Not sure your current stack is set up well? Start with setting up Claude in a day.

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