I think it’s fascinating to see where people are spending their money on AI—and, by extension, where their attention is going.
This isn’t a ranking of the “best” AI tools. It’s an honest look at what I’m currently paying for, why each tool has earned a place in my stack, and which subscriptions I’m reconsidering.
There are a lot of excellent AI products available, but paying for all of them quickly gets expensive. Here’s where my AI budget is going right now.
Zo Computer: The Center of My AI Stack
Zo has become the first thing I open whenever I sit down at a computer.
It gives me access to my files, lets me switch between different AI models, and helps me build almost anything I need. Instead of being another chatbot subscription, it feels more like the operating system for my AI workflows.
It is now the number-one tool in my stack. I can also connect my ChatGPT subscription, which helps me get more value from the tools I’m already paying for.
Current status: Essential. I’m keeping it.
ChatGPT Plus: My General-Purpose Workhorse
ChatGPT has been my everyday AI tool for the longest.
I still use it for most of my general-purpose work: thinking through ideas, writing, research, coding, and building projects. The addition of Codex and the newer ChatGPT Work features has made the subscription even more useful.
I also like being able to use my ChatGPT subscription with tools such as Zo Computer. That flexibility makes the $20 subscription feel like it stretches much further than ChatGPT alone.
Current status: Still one of the easiest subscriptions to justify.
Claude: The Subscription I’m Testing Life Without
The Claude family of models is incredible, but I’m planning to cancel my subscription and see how much I actually miss it.
The biggest issue isn’t model quality—it’s flexibility. I can’t get as much value from my Claude subscription inside other products, and not having access to Fable, even for a few prompts per day, makes the subscription less compelling for me.
My plan is to use Claude through the API whenever I specifically want a Claude model. Then I can compare the actual API cost against the monthly subscription.
This is also a useful test: do I genuinely need the Claude subscription, or am I keeping it because I’m used to having it?
Current status: Likely canceling and seeing how work is without it.
Gemini: My Least-Used Model but Possibly My Best Bundle
Gemini is the strangest subscription on this list.
It is probably the AI model I use the least, but the overall subscription might provide some of the best value. Google bundles several benefits into its AI plan, including additional Google Drive storage and other Google ecosystem perks.
I’m probably not taking advantage of everything included, but I already use enough Google products that the subscription is easier to justify—even if Gemini itself isn’t my first choice for most AI tasks.
Current status: Keeping it for the bundle, not necessarily the model.
Grok: The Unexpected Comeback
I’m surprised Grok made this list.
The early versions were interesting, but I never felt they were strong enough to compete with the major AI models. Slowly but surely, though, Grok kept improving.
Starting around Grok 4.5, the combination of model quality, inexpensive API access, and integration with X became much more compelling. You can also authenticate an X account with agents such as Hermes Agent, which opens up some genuinely useful workflows.
I’ve been using Grok more and more, especially for X-related research, content, and automated workflows. It has gone from something I occasionally tested to a model I can see becoming a regular part of my stack.
Current status: Increasingly useful—and one to watch.
What I’m Learning From This
The best AI subscription is no longer determined only by which company has the best model.
I’m increasingly looking at three things:
Flexibility: Can I use the subscription outside the company’s main chatbot?
Ecosystem value: Does it include storage, credits, tools, or other services I already need?
Actual usage: Am I paying because I use it, or because I’m afraid I might need it?
My current strategy is to keep subscriptions that act as platforms, use APIs for models I only need occasionally, and regularly test whether I can live without everything else.
The AI subscription pile can grow quickly. The harder—and more useful—question is which tools are actually earning their place.