Three tools cover 90% of beginner needs. Total cost to start: $0.
The stack
- A general assistant (ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini — all have capable free tiers). This is your drafting, summarizing, explaining, brainstorming layer. Pick one and learn it deeply rather than switching.
- A research tool (Perplexity free). Cited answers for anything factual. Use it instead of asking your assistant to recall facts.
- One production tool matched to your work: Canva for visuals, Gamma for decks, Otter if meetings dominate your week.
Upgrade triggers
Move to paid only when: the assistant's free limit breaks real work weekly (then ~$20/month there), or your production tool's free tier blocks client deliverables. Everything else waits.
What not to add early
Automation platforms, coding assistants, and specialty writers only earn their cost once the core stack is habit. Adding them first is how people end up with six subscriptions and no workflow. Revisit after 60 days of daily use.
Full evaluation criteria live in our choosing framework.