How to Evaluate Any AI Tool Before You Buy in 2025
The AI tools market is confusing. New tools launch weekly. Most are not worth your time or money. Here is how to cut through the noise and make smart decisions in 2025.
How to Evaluate Any AI Tool Before You Buy in 2025
The 5-Question Framework
Before trying any new AI tool, answer these five questions:
- What specific task does this replace or accelerate? If you cannot name a concrete task with a specific time cost, skip it.
- Is there a free trial? No free trial = no subscription. The AI tool market has enough competition that you should not need to pay before testing.
- Does it integrate with tools I already use? AI tools embedded in your existing workflow get used. Standalone apps with no integrations get opened twice and forgotten.
- What does it cost at the tier that has the features I need? Many AI tools advertise low prices for a feature-limited free tier. Check what tier unlocks the features that matter to you.
- What is the cancellation policy? Monthly subscriptions with easy cancellation = low risk. Annual commitments, auto-renewals with no refunds = higher risk.
The 14-Day Test Protocol
Any tool worth using will prove its value within 14 days of intentional testing. The protocol:
- Day 1-3: Learn the tool properly — watch tutorials, read docs, understand the interface
- Day 4-10: Use it daily for its primary use case, tracking time saved
- Day 11-14: Assess: has it saved me at least 2-3 hours in 2 weeks? If yes, keep. If no, cancel.
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