Why I Tested 125+ AI Tools for 3 Months
I had a problem. Every week, I saw new AI tools everywhere. People promised they would change your life or make you 10x faster. I signed up, played for 20 minutes, and forgot them all.
I got tired of the hype. So, I spent three months testing 125 AI tools. I categorized them and built a system to track them.
Here is what I built:
- A Node.js catalog using JSON data.
- Automatic categories like design, writing, and coding.
- GitHub Actions to keep everything updated.
- A simple static page to view the results.
I did not build a complex app. I used a simple script to turn JSON into HTML. It is fast, free, and easy to host.
Here are my main lessons:
Most tools solve the same problems Most new AI tools are not new. They all try to do the same 10% of tasks. You do not need 1,000 tools. You need 5 good ones.
Master your core tools After testing 125 tools, I only use 7 every day:
- Claude for long documents.
- ChatGPT for quick help.
- GitHub Copilot for coding.
- MidJourney for images.
- Grammarly for proofreading.
- Notion AI for notes.
- Perplexity for research.
AI is a multiplier, not a foundation The best tools are good software with AI added. A note-taking app must be great at taking notes first. An AI tool that lacks basic features will fail.
Price does not equal quality Some of the best tools are free. Some expensive tools are just wrappers for OpenAI that add a fancy interface. Do not pay for hype.
My advice if you want to curate your own list:
- Start small. Add 5 tools a week.
- Stay honest. Tell people when a tool is bad.
- Keep it simple. Use JSON and a basic generator.
- Update often. Links and prices change fast.
Curatorship is more valuable than completeness. You do not need a list of every tool. You need a list of tools that actually work.
The project is open source. You can fork it on GitHub to make your own list.
What is one AI tool you use every single day? Tell me in the comments.
Optional learning community: https://t.me/GyaanSetuAi