Curated by Monika McKay
People ask me all the time what tools I actually use. I don't share what's trending or what just sounds impressive. I care about saving time — because time is money. These are the tools I'm using right now to think clearer, work faster, and avoid unnecessary tech stress.
You may want to just pick one to begin with. You do not need to master them all at once. Pace yourself — and ask me if you need help. 🫶🏽
This is my primary thinking partner. I use ChatGPT to get ideas out of my head and into something usable. It helps me organize, clarify, and move faster without feeling overwhelmed by tech.
What it's great for
Best for: Anyone who wants to think clearer, work faster, and stop staring at a blank screen.
Claude is where I go when I want calmer, more thoughtful output. It's quickly becoming my favorite for refining tone, building quick dashboards, or when I want something to sound more natural and less "generated."
What it's great for
Best for: Anyone who writes a lot and cares about nuance, clarity, and flow.
Manus is what I use when I need more than an answer — I need the work done. It acts like an AI assistant that can research, analyze, plan, and execute multi-step tasks on my behalf. When I want a complete first draft, a workflow built, or a project moved forward without doing every step myself, Manus is often where I start.
What it's great for
Best for: Professionals, entrepreneurs, and creators who want AI to do more than brainstorm — they want it to help execute and produce real deliverables.
When I need answers grounded in real sources, this is my go-to. Perplexity gives me research with citations so I'm not chasing tabs. Comet is their newer browser-based experience built around the same idea — smarter search with AI context baked in.
What it's great for
Best for: People who want context and credibility, not just opinions. If you're tired of sifting through search results, this changes the game.
Gemini is Google's AI — and if you already live in Google's ecosystem, it fits right into your workflow without friction. I reach for Gemini when I want AI that works seamlessly inside the tools I'm already using, and when I need standout image generation that actually impresses.
What it's great for
Best for: Anyone already using Google tools who wants AI woven into their daily workflow — no new apps, no context switching, just smarter productivity inside the platforms you already know.
HeyGen lets me create video without needing to be on camera every time. I use it when I want polished, professional video content without the full production lift.
What it's great for
Best for: Business owners who want video content without the pressure of always showing up on camera.
This is my go-to for realistic voiceovers. When I want something to sound natural, steady, and human, this is the tool I reach for.
What it's great for
Best for: Anyone creating video, audio, or educational content who wants clean, professional sound.
CapCut is my video editing tool of choice. It's straightforward, powerful enough, and doesn't slow me down. I can edit and move on.
What it's great for
Best for: Creators who want clean edits without complicated software.
Opus Clip uses AI to identify the most engaging moments, add captions, and optimize content for Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and TikTok.
What it's great for
Best for: Coaches, consultants, and educators who want to create more content without spending hours editing.
Canva is my visual workhorse. If I need something designed quickly and cleanly, this is where I go. It keeps me moving without getting stuck in perfection mode.
What it's great for
Best for: People who want good-looking visuals without needing design skills.
Gamma is what I use when I want ideas to turn into something presentable fast. It helps me organize thoughts and turn them into clean slides or documents without getting stuck on design.
What it's great for
Best for: Anyone who wants professional-looking presentations without spending hours formatting.
Wispr Flow is my secret weapon for getting words out of my head and onto the screen without friction. I talk, it types — in any app, on any website, on my desktop or my phone. No dictating punctuation, no fixing run-ons. It reads the room, cleans up my brain dumps, and delivers something I can actually use. It's honestly one of those tools that makes you wonder how you functioned without it.
What it's great for
Best for: Anyone who thinks faster than they type — especially busy professionals, content creators, and entrepreneurs who want to stop losing great ideas because typing slows them down.
Hostinger is where my website lives. I use it because it keeps things simple without feeling limiting. It lets me get pages up, make changes quickly, and not overthink the tech.
What it's great for
Best for: Small business owners who want a functional, professional site without developer headaches.
Magica (formerly Galaxy) helps me discover, organize, and access AI tools in one place without spending hours searching the internet. It makes it easy to explore new AI solutions and stay current as the landscape evolves.
What it's great for
Best for: Professionals who want a simple way to find the right AI tools without getting overwhelmed by the hundreds of options available.
Quick Disclosure: Clicking some of these links may offer you free credits or a discount. Some are affiliate links, which means when you click through to purchase, it won't cost you more — but I may receive a commission for sharing. I only share what I actually use.