Different AI models really are good at different things. Many people like Claude for writing, ChatGPT for all-round work, Gemini inside Google Docs, and Perplexity for research. But at $20–30 each, paying for all of them gets expensive fast.
Here are six ways to use several models without paying full price for every one, from cheapest to most complete.
What "all of them" costs
Standard monthly plans, checked October 2026:
| Plan | Monthly |
|---|---|
| ChatGPT Plus | $20 |
| Claude Pro | $20 |
| Google AI Pro (Gemini) | $19.99 |
| Perplexity Pro | $20 |
| SuperGrok | $30 |
| Total | about $110 |
Swap ChatGPT Plus for ChatGPT Pro ($200) and you're over $290 a month.
1. One paid plan plus free tiers
Cost: about $20 a month.
Pay for the one model you use most and use the free tiers of the rest. Every major assistant has a free plan; the limits are tighter, but for a second opinion or the occasional task they're often enough.
Best for: most people. Start here.
2. Rotate subscriptions month to month
Cost: about $20 a month.
Subscribe to one model for a month, cancel, and try another the next month. You keep only one bill at a time and learn which model fits you best before committing.
Best for: people still deciding which assistant to keep.
3. Pay yearly for your main model
Cost: about 15–20% less on that plan.
Once you know which model you use daily, annual billing usually brings the monthly price down. Only do this for a tool you're sure about.
4. Use the AI already in tools you pay for
Cost: often $0 extra.
Many apps you already pay for now include AI features: Google Workspace has Gemini built in on some plans, and design, writing and note-taking tools increasingly bundle AI too. Check what you already have before adding another subscription.
5. Pay per use with an API
Cost: depends on usage; can be very low for light use.
If you're comfortable with a little setup, OpenAI, Anthropic and Google all offer pay-as-you-go APIs. Paired with a chat app that supports API keys, you pay only for what you use. Light users often spend less than a monthly plan; heavy users can spend more.
Best for: technical users and people with uneven usage.
6. A tool bundle
Cost: $29.95 a month for many models at once.
Bundles like the Luxury Tools membership give you shared access to ChatGPT Pro, Claude, Gemini, SuperGrok and Perplexity, plus ElevenLabs, AI video tools and 25+ ecom and design tools, through a private browser.
Best for: heavy users who want several premium models side by side and would otherwise pay $100+ a month.
Which should you choose?
- Light or casual use: option 1, one paid plan plus free tiers.
- Still deciding: option 2, rotate monthly.
- Technical, uneven usage: option 5, pay per use.
- Heavy, multi-model use: option 6, a bundle, if you're comfortable with shared access.
Not sure which models to pick? Read ChatGPT vs Claude vs Gemini vs Grok, or plug your current subscriptions into the savings calculator.