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How to compare AI tools before paying?
Copy this structure before paying for another tool. The decision should come out of your tasks, not from a demo.
- Cost
- Limits
- Privacy
- Alternative
Fields
- Main task that resolves.
- Frequency of use weekly.
- Free Plan: yes/no.
- Monthly and annual cost.
- Important Limits.
- Privacy and data you will upload.
- Free or cheaper alternative.
- Decision: Try, Pay, Wait or Discard
How to fill it?
Start with a specific task, not by the name of the tool. ‘Improve customer emails three times a week’ is a task; ‘use AI to be more productive’ is too broad to decide.
After points to the real cost: quota, limits, correction time, data you need to upload and alternative that you already paid for. If a new tool does the same as another one you use, it must bring a clear improvement.
What decision comes out?
Testing: When there's repetitive task and low risk. Pay: When the savings are already measured. Wait: When it's just curiosity. Delete: When the cost, privacy or limits don't fit.
Closure rule
If you can't write what specific task saves you, don't pay yet.