The free tiers are not demos. They are the real product with a ceiling on how much you can use it each day and, on some, which model you get. For someone using AI a few times a day, the ceiling is rarely reached. This lesson is about getting the most out of $0.
| Tool | Free tier | What free includes | Where it stops you | First paid step |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ChatGPT | $0 | A current model, file uploads, search, images (limited) | Daily usage cap, then a weaker model or a wait | Go $8, Plus $20 |
| Claude | $0 | A current model, file uploads, projects (limited) | Daily usage cap that heavy days can hit | Pro $20 |
| Gemini | $0 | A current model, Google Drive and Gmail integration | Stronger models and longer files are paid | Google AI Pro $19.99 |
| DeepSeek | $0 | A strong open model in a plain chat app | Fewer features, and check its data terms | Pay-as-you-go API only |
The two-account trick
The simplest way to stay free for longer is to have two free accounts on different tools and switch when one stops you. Claude Free for writing and documents, ChatGPT Free for everything else, is a common pair. Nothing about this is against the rules; each vendor is giving you a free tier and you are using it.
Try it
A typical free-tier task, run on a cheap model
That answer came from one of the cheapest models on the market, which is what the site uses for the Try it boxes. Read it. It is fine. Most everyday tasks do not need the strongest model, and the free tiers give you a good one anyway.
Knowledge check
You hit Claude's free limit halfway through a long document on a busy afternoon. What is the cheapest sensible response?