In a recent LinkedIn post, Ruben Hassid discusses his curated list of essential tools that have replaced numerous subscriptions, emphasizing efficiency and practicality over sheer volume. Hassid challenges the common tendency to accumulate too many digital services, advocating instead for a lean, focused approach to software utilization.
He begins by highlighting a surprising replacement for traditional image editing software: ChatGPT. Hassid clarifies that he doesn’t use it for complex graphic design work but specifically for generating images. He suggests a prompt-based approach, noting the importance of a reference image for optimal results.
“Stop embarrassing yourself with too many subscriptions. Here are 5 tools I (actually) use to replace most others.”
As Hassid explains, ChatGPT can be used in an intuitive “edit mode” after an image is generated, allowing for simple, voice-guided modifications.
AI as a Versatile Assistant
Hassid’s analysis extends to the realm of voice interaction and AI prompting. He proposes Wispr Flow as a replacement for conventional voice assistants like Siri, and as a method to overcome the inertia of typing lengthy prompts into AI models. According to Hassid, speaking allows for a more natural “yapping flow state,” leading to quicker results than extended typing sessions.
Furthermore, Hassid positions Claude as a superior alternative to ChatGPT for most tasks, except for image generation. He argues that Claude’s capabilities extend far beyond simple text-based AI interactions.
“Claude is still the best. And it replaces even more than just other AI chatbots. Finance tools, legal cleanups, designs (with Claude Design), coding tool (Claude Code + connectors like Netlify/Supabase), email drafting (connected to my Gmail), a personal assistant (connected to my calls with Granola), building excel…”
This broad applicability, as highlighted by Hassid, makes Claude a central pillar in his streamlined toolkit.
Streamlining Productivity Suites
Beyond AI, Hassid addresses the dominance of traditional productivity software. He makes a strong case for adopting Google Workspace, specifically Google Docs and Google Sheets, over Microsoft’s offerings.
A Shift from Microsoft
Hassid expresses a clear preference, stating:
“And I feel bad for people using Teams, Word, or Excel.”
He sees Google’s suite as a more efficient and modern alternative for everyday document and spreadsheet tasks.
Presentation Software Reimagined
In the domain of presentations, Hassid champions Gamma over established tools like PowerPoint, Google Slides, and even Claude Design. He specifically praises Gamma’s “Templates” feature for its ability to rapidly produce professional-looking designs.
“I love Gamma for the “Templates” feature: you get very quickly to a super professional design.”
Hassid provides a practical tip for users, advising them to prompt Gamma to create a specific number of slides (e.g., “Make 20-slides on this topic”) to ensure sufficient content, as it may otherwise default to a shorter presentation.
Concluding his post, Hassid reiterates his five core paid tools: ChatGPT for images, Wispr Flow for dictation, Claude for general AI tasks and beyond, Google Workspace for documents and spreadsheets, and Gamma for presentations, alongside Granola for meeting notes. He acknowledges using many other tools daily but emphasizes that this list represents his most indispensable daily drivers. Hassid muses on the shrinking number of essential tools over time, questioning whether consolidation will continue to a single dominant platform in the future.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Ruben Hassid on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on August 16, 2026 | View original post on LinkedIn →