The Only 2 AI Subscriptions I Pay For (And the Only 1 You Should)
Every AI company wants the same $20 a month from you. Stack all four of these and that's nearly a grand a year, mostly for things the free tiers already do. I use every tool on this list every day, I pay for exactly two, and I'd only tell you to copy one of those charges. Here's the straight verdict on each one: what I pay, what you should pay, and where free is genuinely enough.
Claude: pay. This is the one.
The only flat yes on this list.
I personally pay for the Max plan because I live in it all day. You almost certainly don't need that. The $20/mo plan is the one to get, and it's the only AI subscription I'd put in front of basically everyone.
The reason is simple: Claude is the best writer of the four, full stop. Scripts, captions, emails, anything where the words have to sound like a person wrote them. If only one AI charge ever hits your card, make it this one.
Perplexity: I pay, you probably shouldn't
Full honesty: I pay for Perplexity Pro at $20/mo, and I'd still tell most people to skip it.
The free version is genuinely good. It handles everyday search and research without making you feel punished for not paying, which is rare.
Upgrade only if you're doing heavy research every single day and the free tier starts getting in your way. Otherwise keep the $20 and put it toward Claude.
Gemini: free is enough
Shortest verdict on the list: the free version is enough.
Use Gemini free and keep your money. When a free tier already covers your real usage, a subscription isn't an upgrade. It's a donation.
Grok: don't pay, ever
Grok has exactly one job for me: real-time trends. When I need to know what's blowing up right now, Grok is the one that sees it. That's genuinely useful, and the free version covers it completely.
One narrow use case does not earn a monthly charge. Run your trend check, close the tab, keep your card in your wallet.
The cheat sheet
My actual stack is Claude Max plus Perplexity Pro. Those are the two I'd feel within an hour if they vanished.
Your stack, if you're starting today: one paid subscription, three free tiers, and you're not missing anything that matters. That's $20 a month instead of $80.
Pricing and tiers shift constantly, so sanity-check the numbers before you buy. The verdicts hold.
Claude: PAY. The $20/mo plan. Best writer of the four.
Gemini: FREE. The free version is enough.
Grok: FREE. Real-time trend checks only, never pay.
Perplexity: FREE for most. Pro at $20/mo only if you research all day.
Starter stack: Claude paid, the other three free. $20/mo instead of $80.Get the next one first
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Frequently asked questions
Out of Claude, Gemini, Grok and Perplexity, I pay for exactly two and you only need one. The guide gives the honest verdict.
Most people don't. Start free and only upgrade when you actually hit a wall. Here is how to get every premium model free first.
Because the guide is about where your money buys something the free tiers can't, and for most workflows the free ChatGPT tier already covers it.