7 Useful AI Tools That Don't Break the Bank and Provide Real Value

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The AI boom might have started with the launch of ChatGPT but new tools are being introduced constantly and AI-enabled features have been integrated into just about everything to make our everyday workflows easier. At VIX, we test countless AI tools on a monthly basis, and we’ve got a list of our top 7 affordable tools that provide real value without breaking the bank.
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ChatGPT: The Versatile AI Assistant

Here at Vix we rely on ChatGPT for about 90% of our tasks; it excels in content creation, brainstorming, and customer support, making it a versatile asset for our team.  Whether drafting emails or generating ideas for projects, ChatGPT has proven to be an invaluable resource. Its subscription model is also budget-friendly, if you pay $20 per month for ChatGPT Plus, you’ll have access to GPT-4 as well as plugins created by third parties that expand ChatGPT’s features.

Claude AI: The Programming Powerhouse

Claude AI stands out as a formidable contender for programming as it offers a level of sophistication designed specifically for developers. Compared to ChatGPT, Claude AI provides a wider context window allowing it to analyze entire codebases in one session. To make the most of Claude AI we recommend starting with precise, detailed prompts so as to help Claude AI concentrate on key areas and offer focused solutions; by implementing its recommendations progressively it can lead to a more efficient workflow, simplifying even the most intricate coding challenges.

Like most AI models, Claude is free for individuals on a basic level. However, upgrading to one of their Pro plans unlocks access to Claude 3 Opus, early access to new features and priority bandwidth (amongst other things). Pro plans start from $20 per user/month.

Cursor AI: Enhancing Coding Efficiency in Your IDE

Cursor AI is designed to help developers at every stage of the coding process by using advanced AI models like GPT-4 and Claude to provide code suggestions. These models are trained on extensive datasets, enabling developers to get real time tips and suggestions which are even more helpful in making small alterations. Developers are also able to write and edit code using simple instructions in natural language, allowing for more intuitive interactions with the codebase. Cursor AI supports multiple programming languages like Python, JavaScript, and TypeScript. At Vix, we’re fond of Cursor AI as an interactive tool; asking it about relevant files before implementing changes. However, just be cautious as over-reliance can lead to unintended code alterations, and suggestions made without proper context may disrupt delicate functionalities.

Cursor is completely free, but if you want to use a Pro version for unlimited completions and fast premium requests (amongst other things), it will cost you $20 per user/month.

Notion AI: The Productivity Lifesaver

Notion AI is a great time saver, and one of our favorite project management tools, as it can help generate text and autofill databases, create a handy summary of pages, and even assign action based items on specific docs.

One of our favorite Notion AI feature is the ability to ask very specific questions about all the information we have stored. We use Notion at Vix to house most of our documentation. So, rather than scrolling through the database to find an answer in a hurry we can hit the search icon, then ‘Ask AI,’ and type in a question. From there,  AI will generate a response and link to the pages it used to compile the answers.

Notion is free to use for individuals, but plans start at $10 per user/month — this excludes the cost of AI. AI features will cost $10 per workspace per month.

Slack AI: Improving Internal Communication

At VIX, we use Slack AI to enhance our communication and streamline our workflows. The Recap Feature allows us to sift through extensive chat threads with ease and when faced with a high volume of messages, we're able to search for specific information by asking Slack AI to highlight any action items or relevant details. As a result, we witnessed better cooperation, better on-time delivery of project milestones and communication processes that keep everyone aligned and engaged.

The Slack AI Pro plan starts at $7.25 per user/month which includes basic collaboration features. You can take it a step further with their Plus plan, which is $12.50 per user/month and integrates more advanced features.

It’s worth noting that Slack's AI functionality requires a Slack workspace or subscription plan to unlock AI-driven productivity features as it’s considered an ‘add-on’.

Fathom: Our Invaluable Notetaker

Fathom Ai serves as our invaluable AI note-taker that we incorporate into all our calls at VIX. This tool excels at capturing comprehensive notes throughout each conversation, allowing our team members to focus on discussions without worrying about missing any information. Users can query Fathom for specific insights, such as action items or suggestions made during any meetings. The ability to obtain organized and understandable summaries directly from the call notes streamlines our workflow and enhances productivity, ensuring that we can efficiently follow up on important tasks.

Fathom is free for individual use; premium plans are available for individuals and teams which start at $20 per user/month. Fathom works across platforms like Microsoft Teams, Zoom and Google Meet so having an account on a compatible meeting platform is necessary in order to use this tool.

Perplexity: Your Not-So-Average Search Engine

Perplexity is an AI tool that functions similarly to a search engine, delivering in-depth research on various topics. For example, when we need credible statistics on issues we can input a query into Perplexity and receive comprehensive results backed by trustworthy sources saving us valuable time by gathering and presenting relevant information, often including tables and detailed insights that go beyond what a standard search engine might provide.

Perplexity has a free-to-use basic model that is open to all individuals, and it also has a Pro Plan which offers 300 advanced AI searches daily amongst other benefits, for $20 per user/month or $200 per year.

Since implementing these AI tools, we’ve witnessed a noticeable increase in meeting deadlines more consistently. The combination of these tools has not only enhanced individual productivity but has also boasts a collaborative environment that drives innovation.

So, it's time to work smarter, not harder; AI is there to help you with all the busywork. There’s a lot of uncertainty around AI, but instead of fearing AI as the competition it's time to embrace it. Let your AI tools handle the repetitive time consuming tasks, while you focus on the projects that truly ignite your passion. People crave genuine voices and connections, and that's one thing AI can't replicate; the creativity and authenticity that we humans bring.