Test an AI tool before you pay for it

1. Why test first

Demos show the best case. Your work is the average case. A short test on your own task tells you far more than a launch video or a ranked list.

Subscriptions also add up quietly. Setting a test before you pay keeps the decision yours.

2. Step 1: Write down the promise

1. Copy the three biggest claims from the tool’s own page.
2. Write the real task you want it to do in one sentence.
3. Decide what a good result looks like before you start.

3. Step 2: Run the test

Do the real task with the tool, once, as a normal user would. Do not tweak it for an hour. Note how long it took and how much you had to fix.

Check pricing carefully before entering a card. Look for what happens when the free trial ends, and what the limits are on each plan.

4. Step 3: Score it

Give each of these a score from one to five, then add a line about why.

• Did it deliver what it promised?
• How much did I fix by hand?
• How easy was it to start?
• Is the price fair for how often I will use it?
• Can I get my work back out if I leave?

Total under 15 is a skip. Between 15 and 20 is a longer trial. Above 20 is worth paying for one month.

5. Step 4: Decide and set a review date

If you pay, put a reminder in your calendar a month ahead to check whether you still use it. Cancel anything you did not open.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Judging by a demo instead of your own task
• Entering a card before reading the trial terms
• Testing a toy example instead of real work
• Forgetting to set a review date

Final checklist

• I wrote the promise and my task
• I ran one real test
• I scored all five questions
• I made a keep, trial or skip decision
• I set a review date if I paid