In a recent LinkedIn post, Ruben Hassid shares a curated list of 15 “unsexy” Artificial Intelligence tools that he asserts are genuinely effective, distinguishing between those that are truly free and those with limitations. Hassid, who positions himself as a guide to practical AI applications, emphasizes the importance of identifying tools that offer real utility without deceptive marketing tactics.
Hassid highlights Claude.ai as a primary tool for writing and serious tasks, noting its capability to adapt to a user’s specific voice. He states:
The one I work inside all day. Truly free to start. Best at writing, thinking, & serious tasks. Teach it your voice. Build Skills. Done.
This endorsement suggests that Claude.ai offers a robust free tier that can significantly aid professionals in their daily work, particularly in content creation and complex problem-solving.
Tools for Productivity and Organization
The post delves into several tools designed to enhance personal organization and productivity. Obsidian.md is recommended for its function as a “second brain,” offering a free, locally-stored note-taking system that Hassid praises for not “renting your own brain.” Similarly, Notion.so is lauded for its genuinely usable free plan, serving as a comprehensive workspace that now integrates AI capabilities.
For design needs, Hassid points to Canva.com, describing it as a tool for non-designers. However, he candidly notes that while the core features are free, the more advanced AI functionalities require a paid subscription. This transparency is a recurring theme in his assessment of the tools.
Real-Time Information and Communication
Hassid addresses the challenge of accessing up-to-the-minute information, recommending Grok.com for real-time tweet searches. He contrasts this with other AI tools, stating:
No AI know what happened 20 mins ago. Grok does. Real-time tweets pulled straight from X. Free tier. Ask. Get facts. Not stale links.
This feature is particularly valuable in fast-paced business environments where immediate awareness of market shifts or public sentiment is crucial. For voice-to-text needs, Wispr.ai is presented, with Hassid explaining that it allows users to dictate prompts, though he clarifies that the free version has a weekly word limit, indicating that extensive use necessitates a paid plan.
AI for Content Creation and Research
The article also touches upon AI’s role in content creation beyond writing. ChatGPT’s image generation capabilities are highlighted for their effectiveness, particularly in creating visuals with text. Hassid notes its speed and quality, even within the free tier, though he acknowledges rate limitations.
For generating presentations, Hassid suggests Gamma.app, which can create decks based on a user’s brand kit. While free to start, he points out that free decks may include Gamma’s logo, implying a trade-off for the complimentary service.
Furthermore, Hassid champions notebooklm.google as a powerful, free tool for learning from various sources, including YouTube links. He describes its utility:
Free and generous. No card needed. Upload up to 50 sources, even YouTube links. Turns your courses into podcasts and mindmaps.
This capability transforms passive learning materials into more accessible and digestible formats, a significant benefit for continuous professional development.
Coding and Multilingual Applications
In the realm of software development, Hassid reiterates his strong endorsement of Claude.ai, specifically for coding tasks. He claims it outperforms other tools, stating:
Same login, same free tier. The reason I switched. Gets it right on the first try, not the fifth. Twelve out of ten. I stand by it.
For multilingual tasks and particularly for generating editable text within images in various languages, Hassid recommends gemini.google.com, citing its free availability and superior performance compared to other options.
Concluding his post, Hassid categorizes the tools, noting that 8 are “truly free” and 5 are “free-with-limits.” He encourages his audience to save the list and experiment with one tool per week, promoting his free newsletter on AI for further insights.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Ruben Hassid on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on June 30, 2026 | View original post on LinkedIn →