Works at an AI startup
I write the Plainly articles: plain-English guides to cheap ChatGPT alternatives, cheap open-source models, and getting good AI answers without the big subscription.
The articles come from a simple belief: most people don't need the most expensive AI — they need one that just works. I use cheap open models daily, track how the frontier moves, and write down what actually holds up. Everything is dated, sourced, and honest about where it isn't.
All posts on the Plainly blog, newest first.
There is no single best AI model, so power users dual-wield — frontier models for high-stakes work, cheap open-source models for everything else. Here's my real split, why it works, and why most people should not copy it.
ChatGPT was never built to be cheap. Billions in funding, the most advanced chips available, and no cost pressure — the $20 price is a side effect of optimising for maximum power. The full cost structure, explained.
You shouldn't have to pick an AI model. The frontier changes every few days and every model is good at something different — a good default beats a menu. Here's why choosing is the failure mode.