Last updated: February 2026
Choosing the right AI tool in 2026 isn’t just about features — it’s about finding the plan that fits your budget, your workflow, and your growth trajectory. Whether you’re a solo creator bootstrapping on a free tier or a marketing team evaluating enterprise contracts, the pricing landscape across AI writing, SEO, video, voice, image, research, and productivity tools has never been more competitive.
We’ve compiled the definitive pricing comparison for every major AI tool across seven categories. Every free tier, every paid plan, every enterprise option — all in one place so you can compare side by side and stop overpaying for capabilities you don’t need.
Jump to a category:
- AI Writing Tools
- AI SEO Tools
- AI Video Tools
- AI Voice & Text-to-Speech Tools
- AI Image Generation Tools
- AI Research Tools
- AI Productivity Tools
- Master Comparison Table
- Best Value Picks by Category
- FAQ
How We Organized This Guide
For each tool we list:
| Column | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Free Tier | Whether a no-cost plan exists (and what it includes) |
| Cheapest Paid Plan | The lowest-cost entry point with meaningful features |
| Mid-Tier Plan | The “sweet spot” plan most users end up on |
| Enterprise | Custom or high-end pricing for teams and organizations |
All prices are USD per month. Where annual billing offers a discount, we note both the monthly-equivalent and the full annual price. Prices were verified directly from each vendor’s pricing page in February 2026.
AI Writing Tools
AI writing tools remain the most crowded category in 2026. Prices range from completely free to over $1,000/month for enterprise workflow platforms. The biggest shift this year: most tools have moved away from word-count limits and toward credit-based or seat-based pricing.
AI Writing Tools — Pricing Comparison
| Tool | Free Tier | Cheapest Paid | Mid-Tier | Enterprise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jasper | 7-day free trial | Pro: $59/mo per seat (annual) · $69/mo (monthly) | Business: Custom pricing | Custom pricing |
| Copy.ai | Free plan (unlimited chat words, 1 seat) | Growth: $1,000/mo (75 seats, 20K workflow credits) | Expansion: $2,000/mo (150 seats, 45K credits) | Scale: $3,000/mo (200 seats, 75K credits) |
| Writesonic | Free trial (no credit card) | Lite: ~$49/mo (1 user, 15 AI articles/mo) | Standard: ~$99/mo (30 articles/mo, 5 writing styles) | Professional/Enterprise: Custom |
| Rytr | Free plan (10K characters/mo) | Saver: $9/mo (100K characters/mo) | Unlimited: $29/mo (unlimited characters) | Custom/API access |
| Sudowrite | Free trial available | Hobby & Short Story: $19/mo (225K AI words) | Professional: $29/mo (350K AI words) | Max: $129/mo (1.2M+ AI words) |
| Anyword | 7-day free trial | Starter: $49/mo (1 seat, unlimited copy, 50 predictions) | Data-Driven: $99/mo (3 seats, 100 predictions) | Business/Enterprise: Custom |
| Writer.com | No free tier | Starter: $18/user/mo (per-seat, fixed credits) | Team: Custom pricing | Enterprise: Custom (unlimited lite seats) |
What to Know About AI Writing Tool Pricing in 2026
Jasper has simplified its pricing dramatically. The Pro plan at $59/mo (annual) gives you a single seat with Canvas, essential marketing apps, and limited brand customization (2 brand voices, 5 knowledge assets). The Business plan unlocks agents, the no-code AI app builder, unlimited brand customization, and API access — but requires contacting sales.
Copy.ai has pivoted hard toward enterprise GTM workflows. The free tier is generous for chat-based writing (unlimited words), but workflow automation credits start at $1,000/mo — making it one of the most expensive options for small teams. It’s clearly targeting mid-market and enterprise buyers.
Rytr remains the budget champion. At $9/mo for 100K characters and $29/mo for truly unlimited output, it’s the cheapest way to get AI writing assistance at scale. The trade-off is fewer advanced features compared to Jasper or Copy.ai.
Sudowrite carves a unique niche for fiction writers. Its pricing is based on AI word output (not seats or credits), and the $29/mo Professional plan gives most novelists more than enough capacity.
> 💡 Best Value — AI Writing: Rytr Unlimited ($29/mo) for individuals who need high-volume output. Jasper Pro ($59/mo) for marketers who need brand-voice consistency and marketing-specific templates.
AI SEO Tools
AI-powered SEO tools have become essential for content teams. Pricing varies enormously: NeuronWriter starts at just $23/mo while Clearscope starts at $129/mo. The key differentiator is whether you need basic content optimization or full-stack SEO intelligence with AI search visibility tracking.
AI SEO Tools — Pricing Comparison
| Tool | Free Tier | Cheapest Paid | Mid-Tier | Enterprise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Surfer SEO | No free tier | Essential: $89/mo (30 articles/mo) | Scale: $129/mo (100 articles/mo) | Enterprise: Custom |
| Frase | 7-day free trial | Starter: $39/mo (1 user, 10 articles/mo) | Professional: $103/mo (3 seats, 40 articles/mo) | Scale: $239/mo · Enterprise: Custom |
| NeuronWriter | No free tier | Bronze: $23/mo (25 analyses, 15K AI credits) | Silver: $45/mo (50 analyses, 30K credits) | Gold: $69/mo (75 analyses, team sharing) |
| MarketMuse | Free (10 queries/mo, 1 user) | Optimize: $99/mo (100 queries, 5 briefs/mo) | Research: $249/mo (3 users, unlimited queries) | Strategy: $499/mo (5 users, 10K topics) |
| Clearscope | No free tier | Essentials: $129/mo (20 topic explorations, 20 AI drafts) | Business: $399/mo (50 topics, 300 inventory pages) | Enterprise: Custom |
What to Know About AI SEO Tool Pricing in 2026
Frase has emerged as a strong all-rounder with its new AI agent feature and GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) tracking built into every plan. At $39/mo for the Starter plan, it’s one of the most accessible full-stack SEO platforms.
NeuronWriter remains the budget pick at $23/mo, offering solid on-page optimization with content scoring. The Gold plan at $69/mo adds team collaboration, plagiarism checking, and integrations with Google Search Console and WordPress.
Clearscope is the premium option. Starting at $129/mo with no free tier, it targets established content teams who need the industry’s most trusted content scoring. The Business plan at $399/mo adds a dedicated account manager.
MarketMuse offers the only truly functional free tier in this category (10 queries/month), making it a viable starting point for individuals. Its paid plans jump to $99/mo+ and focus on content strategy at scale.
Surfer SEO sits in the middle at $89/mo, offering a solid balance of AI writing, SERP analysis, and content optimization. Its AI content editor is considered one of the best in the industry.
> 💡 Best Value — AI SEO: NeuronWriter Gold ($69/mo) for small teams and agencies. Frase Professional ($103/mo) for content teams that need AI search visibility tracking and strategic intelligence.
AI Video Tools
AI video generation is experiencing explosive growth. From avatar-based presenters (Synthesia, HeyGen) to general-purpose editors (Descript) and cutting-edge generative video (Runway), the pricing models vary wildly — minutes-based, credit-based, and subscription-based.
AI Video Tools — Pricing Comparison
| Tool | Free Tier | Cheapest Paid | Mid-Tier | Enterprise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Synthesia | Free (10 min/mo, 9 avatars, watermarked) | Starter: $18/mo (10 min/mo, 125+ avatars) | Creator: $64/mo (30 min/mo, 180+ avatars) | Enterprise: Custom (unlimited minutes) |
| HeyGen | Free (3 videos/mo, 720p, 3-min max) | Creator: $29/mo (unlimited videos, 1080p, 30-min max) | Pro: $99/mo (4K, faster processing) | Business: $149/mo+ ($20/additional seat) |
| Descript | Free (1 hr media, 100 AI credits one-time) | Hobbyist: $24/mo (10 hrs media, 400 AI credits/mo) | Pro: $33/mo (30 hrs media, 800 AI credits/mo) | Business: $40/mo (40 hrs, 1500 AI credits/mo) |
| Pictory | 14-day free trial (3 projects) | Starter: $23/mo (annual) | Professional: $47/mo (annual, 600 min/mo) | Teams: $119/mo (annual, shared minutes) |
| InVideo | Free (watermarked exports) | Plus: $25/mo (annual billing) | Max: $60/mo (annual billing) | Enterprise: Custom |
| Runway | Free (125 credits one-time) | Standard: $12/user/mo (625 credits/mo) | Pro: $28/user/mo (2,250 credits/mo) | Unlimited: $76/user/mo · Enterprise: Custom |
What to Know About AI Video Tool Pricing in 2026
HeyGen has become the go-to for avatar-based video at an accessible price. The Creator plan at $29/mo gives you unlimited video generation with 1080p export — an incredible value compared to Synthesia’s more limited Starter tier. The free tier (3 videos at 720p) is also the most usable in this category.
Runway is in a different league entirely: it’s a generative video platform (think text-to-video, image-to-video) with models like Gen-4 and Gen-4.5. At $12/mo for the Standard plan, it’s the cheapest way to experiment with cutting-edge AI video generation. The Unlimited plan ($76/mo) includes an “Explore Mode” with unlimited generations at relaxed rates.
Descript has evolved from a podcast editor into a full video production suite. The Pro plan at $33/mo includes 30 hours of media, AI editing tools (filler word removal, eye contact correction, green screen), and text-based video editing — making it one of the best values for content creators.
Synthesia remains the enterprise standard for training and corporate video. The free tier is functional but limited, and the Creator plan at $64/mo is where most teams start. Enterprise customers get unlimited minutes and 240+ avatars.
> 💡 Best Value — AI Video: HeyGen Creator ($29/mo) for unlimited avatar videos. Runway Standard ($12/mo) for generative AI video experimentation. Descript Pro ($33/mo) for podcast and video editing.
AI Voice & Text-to-Speech Tools
The AI voice space has matured significantly. ElevenLabs leads in quality, while competitors like LOVO and Speechify offer compelling alternatives at different price points. Most tools now offer voice cloning, multilingual support, and API access.
AI Voice Tools — Pricing Comparison
| Tool | Free Tier | Cheapest Paid | Mid-Tier | Enterprise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ElevenLabs | Free (10K characters/mo, 3 custom voices) | Starter: $5/mo (30K characters, 10 custom voices) | Scale: $22/mo (100K characters, 30 voices) | Pro: $99/mo (500K chars) · Enterprise: Custom |
| Murf | Free trial available | Creator: $26/mo (annual, 2 hrs generation/mo) | Business: $66/mo (annual, 8 hrs/mo) | Enterprise: Custom (unlimited, API, SSO) |
| Play.ht | Free (limited generations) | Pro: $31.20/mo (annual) | Business: $79.20/mo (annual) | Enterprise: Custom |
| LOVO | No free tier | Basic: $24/mo (2 hrs voice gen/mo, 500+ voices) | Pro: $48/mo (5 hrs/mo, unlimited cloning) | Pro+: $149/mo (20 hrs/mo) · Enterprise: Custom |
| Speechify | Free (limited voices, 1.5x speed) | Premium: $29/mo (1000+ voices, 60+ languages, 5x speed) | — | Enterprise/API: Custom |
What to Know About AI Voice Tool Pricing in 2026
ElevenLabs dominates in voice quality and offers the most accessible entry point at just $5/mo. The Scale plan at $22/mo is sufficient for most professional use cases with 100K characters monthly. Their voice cloning technology is widely considered the most realistic in the market.
LOVO provides a compelling mid-range option with directable “Pro V2 Voices” that let you control tone and emotion using natural language prompts. At $48/mo for the Pro plan, you get 5 hours of generation and unlimited voice cloning.
Speechify is primarily a text-to-speech reader (consuming content by listening) rather than a voice generation platform. At $29/mo for Premium, it’s best for personal productivity — listening to articles, PDFs, and documents at faster speeds.
Murf and Play.ht sit in the professional production tier, with Murf targeting enterprise training/e-learning and Play.ht focusing on podcast and content creators.
> 💡 Best Value — AI Voice: ElevenLabs Scale ($22/mo) — unbeatable quality-to-price ratio with 100K characters and 30 custom voices. For budget users, the Starter plan at $5/mo is hard to beat.
AI Image Generation Tools
The AI image generation market has consolidated around three major players, each with a distinct pricing model: Midjourney (subscription), DALL-E/ChatGPT (subscription + API), and Leonardo AI (freemium credits).
AI Image Tools — Pricing Comparison
| Tool | Free Tier | Cheapest Paid | Mid-Tier | Enterprise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Midjourney | No free tier | Basic: $10/mo (3.3 hrs fast GPU/mo) | Standard: $30/mo (15 hrs fast GPU/mo) | Pro: $60/mo (30 hrs) · Mega: $120/mo (60 hrs) |
| DALL-E (via ChatGPT) | Included with ChatGPT Free (limited) | ChatGPT Plus: $20/mo (GPT Image generation) | ChatGPT Pro: $200/mo (unlimited) | API: Usage-based (from $0.02/image) |
| Leonardo AI | Free (150 tokens/day) | Apprentice: $10/mo (8,500 tokens/mo) | Artisan: $24/mo (25,000 tokens/mo) | Maestro: $48/mo (60,000 tokens/mo) |
What to Know About AI Image Tool Pricing in 2026
Midjourney remains the gold standard for artistic, stylized AI images. There’s no free tier — you must subscribe at $10/mo minimum. The Standard plan at $30/mo is where most power users land, offering 15 hours of fast GPU time and unlimited relaxed-mode generations.
DALL-E is now deeply integrated into ChatGPT. If you’re already paying $20/mo for ChatGPT Plus, you get image generation included — making it effectively “free” as an add-on. The API offers pay-per-image pricing for developers, with the new GPT-image-1.5 model.
Leonardo AI has the most generous free tier in image generation (150 tokens daily), and its paid plans start at just $10/mo. For users who need high-volume image generation without Midjourney’s artistic emphasis, Leonardo provides excellent value with PhotoReal, DreamShaper, and other specialized models.
> 💡 Best Value — AI Image: DALL-E via ChatGPT Plus ($20/mo) if you’re already using ChatGPT. Leonardo AI Artisan ($24/mo) for high-volume image generation. Midjourney Standard ($30/mo) for the highest artistic quality.
AI Research Tools
AI research tools help academics, analysts, and knowledge workers find, synthesize, and analyze information. This is a rapidly growing category with clear differentiation between tools.
AI Research Tools — Pricing Comparison
| Tool | Free Tier | Cheapest Paid | Mid-Tier | Enterprise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elicit | Free (2 reports/mo, unlimited search & summaries) | Plus: $10/mo ($120/yr, 4 reports/mo) | Pro: $42/mo ($499/yr, 12 reports/mo) | Scale: $65/mo ($780/yr) · Enterprise: Custom |
| Consensus | Free (basic AI search) | Plus: $8.99/mo (enhanced results) | Premium: $17.99/mo (advanced features) | Enterprise/Teams: Custom |
| Perplexity | Free (basic search, limited Pro queries) | Pro: $20/mo (unlimited Pro search, file uploads) | — | Enterprise: Custom |
What to Know About AI Research Tool Pricing in 2026
Perplexity has emerged as the AI search engine of choice. The free tier is surprisingly capable for basic research, and the $20/mo Pro plan unlocks unlimited Pro Search (which reasons through complex queries using multiple sources), file uploads, and access to multiple AI models.
Elicit is purpose-built for academic research, searching across 138+ million papers. The free tier is generous (unlimited search and summaries), and the Plus plan at just $10/mo adds export capabilities and clinical trial search. The Pro plan at $42/mo is essential for researchers doing systematic reviews.
Consensus focuses on extracting evidence-based answers from scientific papers. At $8.99/mo, it’s the cheapest paid option in this category and ideal for anyone who needs quick, citation-backed answers.
> 💡 Best Value — AI Research: Perplexity Pro ($20/mo) for general research. Elicit Plus ($10/mo) for academic and scientific research on a budget.
AI Productivity Tools
AI-powered productivity tools add intelligence to your existing workflow — writing assistance in documents, project management automation, and communication improvement. Most offer AI as an add-on to their core platform.
AI Productivity Tools — Pricing Comparison
| Tool | Free Tier | Cheapest Paid (with AI) | Mid-Tier | Enterprise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notion AI | Limited AI trial on Free plan | Plus + AI: $10/user/mo (annual) + AI add-on | Business: $18/user/mo (annual) | Enterprise: Custom |
| ClickUp AI | Free trial of AI features | Brain AI: $9/user/mo (unlimited AI chat, writing) | Everything AI: $28/user/mo (AI notetaker, agents, automations) | Enterprise: Custom + AI Super Credits |
| Grammarly | Free (basic grammar, 100 AI prompts/mo) | Pro: $12/user/mo (annual, 2K AI prompts/mo) | — | Enterprise: Custom (unlimited AI prompts) |
| QuillBot | Free (125-word paraphrase, basic grammar) | Premium: $8.33/mo (annual, unlimited paraphrasing) | — | Team Plan: Custom (usage metrics, admin) |
What to Know About AI Productivity Tool Pricing in 2026
Notion has embedded AI deeply into its workspace. The AI features (chat, generate, autofill, translate, research mode, agents) are available as a limited trial on every plan. The Plus plan at $10/user/mo with the AI add-on gives most teams everything they need.
ClickUp separates its AI pricing from its core project management plans. The Brain AI plan at $9/user/mo adds unlimited AI chat (across ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude models), AI writing, and enterprise search. The Everything AI plan at $28/user/mo adds AI notetaker, talk-to-text, AI automations, and image generation.
Grammarly remains the go-to for writing improvement. The free tier covers basic grammar and gives you 100 AI prompts monthly. Pro at $12/user/mo adds sentence rewriting, tone adjustment, plagiarism detection, AI text detection, and 2,000 AI prompts.
QuillBot is the most affordable option at $8.33/mo (annual). It’s focused on paraphrasing, grammar checking, and AI detection — ideal for students and content writers who need unlimited text rewriting.
> 💡 Best Value — AI Productivity: Grammarly Pro ($12/mo) for writing quality across every platform. QuillBot Premium ($8.33/mo) for budget-friendly paraphrasing and AI detection. ClickUp Brain AI ($9/user/mo) for teams that want AI embedded in project management.
Master Comparison Table: All Tools
Here’s every tool, every price, one table. Use this as your at-a-glance reference.
| Category | Tool | Free? | Cheapest Paid | Mid-Tier | Enterprise |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Writing | Jasper | Trial only | $59/mo/seat | Business: Custom | Custom |
| Writing | Copy.ai | ✅ Yes | $1,000/mo (75 seats) | $2,000/mo | $3,000/mo |
| Writing | Writesonic | ✅ Yes | ~$49/mo | ~$99/mo | Custom |
| Writing | Rytr | ✅ Yes | $9/mo | $29/mo | Custom |
| Writing | Sudowrite | Trial only | $19/mo | $29/mo | $129/mo |
| Writing | Anyword | Trial only | $49/mo | $99/mo | Custom |
| Writing | Writer.com | ❌ No | $18/user/mo | Custom | Custom |
| SEO | Surfer SEO | ❌ No | $89/mo | $129/mo | Custom |
| SEO | Frase | Trial only | $39/mo | $103/mo | $239/mo+ |
| SEO | NeuronWriter | ❌ No | $23/mo | $45/mo | $69/mo |
| SEO | MarketMuse | ✅ Yes | $99/mo | $249/mo | $499/mo |
| SEO | Clearscope | ❌ No | $129/mo | $399/mo | Custom |
| Video | Synthesia | ✅ Yes | $18/mo | $64/mo | Custom |
| Video | HeyGen | ✅ Yes | $29/mo | $99/mo | $149/mo+ |
| Video | Descript | ✅ Yes | $24/mo | $33/mo | $40/mo |
| Video | Pictory | Trial only | $23/mo | $47/mo | $119/mo |
| Video | InVideo | ✅ Yes | $25/mo | $60/mo | Custom |
| Video | Runway | ✅ Yes | $12/mo/user | $28/mo/user | $76/mo/user |
| Voice | ElevenLabs | ✅ Yes | $5/mo | $22/mo | $99/mo+ |
| Voice | Murf | Trial only | $26/mo | $66/mo | Custom |
| Voice | Play.ht | ✅ Yes | $31.20/mo | $79.20/mo | Custom |
| Voice | LOVO | ❌ No | $24/mo | $48/mo | $149/mo |
| Voice | Speechify | ✅ Yes | $29/mo | — | Custom |
| Image | Midjourney | ❌ No | $10/mo | $30/mo | $60–$120/mo |
| Image | DALL-E/ChatGPT | ✅ Yes | $20/mo (ChatGPT Plus) | $200/mo (Pro) | API: Usage-based |
| Image | Leonardo AI | ✅ Yes | $10/mo | $24/mo | $48/mo |
| Research | Elicit | ✅ Yes | $10/mo | $42/mo | $65/mo+ |
| Research | Consensus | ✅ Yes | $8.99/mo | $17.99/mo | Custom |
| Research | Perplexity | ✅ Yes | $20/mo | — | Custom |
| Productivity | Notion AI | ✅ Trial | $10/user/mo+ | $18/user/mo | Custom |
| Productivity | ClickUp AI | ✅ Trial | $9/user/mo | $28/user/mo | Custom |
| Productivity | Grammarly | ✅ Yes | $12/user/mo | — | Custom |
| Productivity | QuillBot | ✅ Yes | $8.33/mo | — | Custom |
Best Value Picks by Category
After comparing every plan and every price, here are the tools that deliver the most capability per dollar in each category:
🏆 Overall Best Values in 2026
| Category | Best Budget Pick | Best Mid-Range Pick | Best for Teams |
|---|---|---|---|
| AI Writing | Rytr Unlimited ($29/mo) | Jasper Pro ($59/mo) | Copy.ai Growth ($1,000/mo for 75 seats) |
| AI SEO | NeuronWriter Bronze ($23/mo) | Frase Professional ($103/mo) | Surfer SEO Scale ($129/mo) |
| AI Video | Runway Standard ($12/mo) | HeyGen Creator ($29/mo) | Descript Pro ($33/mo) |
| AI Voice | ElevenLabs Starter ($5/mo) | ElevenLabs Scale ($22/mo) | LOVO Pro ($48/mo) |
| AI Image | Leonardo AI Apprentice ($10/mo) | DALL-E via ChatGPT Plus ($20/mo) | Midjourney Standard ($30/mo) |
| AI Research | Consensus Plus ($8.99/mo) | Perplexity Pro ($20/mo) | Elicit Scale ($65/mo) |
| AI Productivity | QuillBot Premium ($8.33/mo) | Grammarly Pro ($12/mo) | ClickUp Everything AI ($28/user/mo) |
The $50/Month AI Stack
If you could only spend $50/month total on AI tools, here’s the optimal combination:
The $100/Month Professional Stack
For freelancers and solopreneurs who need a professional-grade toolkit:
The $200/Month Power Stack
For serious content creators and small teams:
Pricing Trends to Watch in 2026
Several important trends are shaping AI tool pricing this year:
1. The Death of Word-Count Pricing
Almost every AI writing tool has moved away from pricing based on words generated. In 2026, you’ll see credit-based systems (Copy.ai), seat-based pricing (Jasper, Writer.com), or truly unlimited output (Rytr). This is a win for users — you’re no longer penalized for iterating on content.
2. AI SEO Tools Are Adding “GEO” Tracking
Both Frase and Writesonic now include Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) features — tracking how your brand appears in AI-generated answers from ChatGPT, Perplexity, and others. Expect every SEO tool to add this by mid-2026, and expect it to be a premium feature.
3. Video Pricing Is Fragmenting
The AI video space now spans at least three distinct models:
- Minutes-based (Synthesia, Pictory): You pay per minute of video generated
- Credit-based (Runway): Credits map to different model quality levels
- Unlimited (HeyGen Creator): Flat monthly fee for unlimited output
4. Voice Quality Has Plateaued — Prices Are Dropping
ElevenLabs set the quality bar, and competitors have largely caught up. The result: prices are dropping across the board. ElevenLabs’ $5/mo Starter plan would have cost $22/mo just a year ago.
5. Enterprise = Custom Everything
Nearly every tool in this guide now offers “Contact Sales” for enterprise pricing. If you’re evaluating tools for more than 10 users, expect to negotiate custom contracts with volume discounts of 20–40% off list prices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which AI writing tool offers the best free tier?
Rytr offers the most useful free tier with 10,000 characters per month and access to 40+ writing templates. Copy.ai also offers unlimited chat words on its free plan, but restricts workflow automation to paid tiers.
Is Midjourney worth it without a free tier?
Yes. Midjourney’s $10/mo Basic plan gives you enough GPU time for roughly 200 images per month in relaxed mode. If you’re serious about AI image generation, the quality justifies the cost. However, Leonardo AI offers 150 free daily tokens if you want to start without paying.
Can I use DALL-E for free?
DALL-E image generation is included with the free tier of ChatGPT, but with limited usage. For regular use, ChatGPT Plus at $20/mo includes generous image generation. For API access, pricing is usage-based starting at approximately $0.02 per image.
What’s the cheapest way to get started with AI video?
Runway Standard at $12/user/mo is the cheapest paid AI video tool. If you’re specifically looking for talking-head avatar videos, Synthesia’s free tier (10 minutes/month) or HeyGen’s free plan (3 videos/month) let you start without paying anything.
Do AI tools offer student or nonprofit discounts?
Several tools offer discounts:
- Writer.com offers 20% off for nonprofits
- Grammarly offers education-specific plans
- Notion offers free plans for students and educators
- ElevenLabs has a Startup Grants Program (12 months free for startups)
Always check the tool’s website for current discount programs.
How do annual vs. monthly billing compare?
On average, annual billing saves 15–25% across all tools. The biggest discounts:
- Jasper: Save ~15% (from $69/mo to $59/mo)
- LOVO: Save 50% first year promotional pricing
- Runway: Save 20% with annual billing
- QuillBot: Save ~33% with annual billing
Should I choose best-of-breed tools or an all-in-one platform?
It depends on your team size and budget:
- Solo creators ($50–100/mo): Pick 2–3 best-of-breed tools that cover your core needs
- Small teams ($200–500/mo): Combine a writing tool + SEO tool + one specialty tool
- Enterprise teams ($1,000+/mo): Consider platforms like Copy.ai, Jasper Business, or Writer.com that consolidate multiple capabilities
How often do AI tool prices change?
Frequently. Most tools adjust pricing 1–2 times per year, often adding new tiers or restructuring credits. We update this guide monthly — check the “Last updated” date at the top for the most current information.
Which AI tools have the best API pricing?
For developers and integrations:
- ElevenLabs: Generous API access starting at the Scale plan ($22/mo)
- OpenAI-deep-research-review/”>OpenAI/DALL-E: Pay-per-use API from $0.02/image (GPT-image-1-mini)
- Runway: API available on Enterprise plans
- LOVO: API access on Pro+ and Enterprise plans
Can I stack free tiers across multiple tools?
Absolutely — and it’s a smart strategy. Here’s a $0/month stack:
- Rytr Free (10K characters/mo for writing)
- MarketMuse Free (10 queries/mo for SEO)
- HeyGen Free (3 videos/mo)
- ElevenLabs Free (10K characters/mo for voice)
- Leonardo AI Free (150 tokens/day for images)
- Elicit Free (unlimited search + 2 reports/mo)
- Grammarly Free (basic grammar + 100 AI prompts)
That’s seven AI tools covering every category for exactly $0.
Final Thoughts
The AI tools market in 2026 offers something for every budget. Whether you’re bootstrapping with free tiers or investing thousands monthly in enterprise platforms, the key is matching your tool selection to your actual workflows — not just chasing features you’ll never use.
Start with the free tiers, upgrade only when you hit real limits, and reassess your stack every quarter. The pricing landscape shifts fast, and the tool that was overpriced six months ago might be today’s best deal.
Bookmark this guide — we update it monthly as prices change, new plans launch, and new tools enter the market.
Prices verified from official vendor pricing pages as of February 2026. All prices in USD. Actual prices may vary based on region, promotional offers, and billing cycle. Enterprise pricing requires contacting sales teams directly.
