Tool Lab
The tools I actually run, and what each one is honestly for.
Honest reviews of the tools behind the AI systems I build and write about. Some have affiliate programs. Most don't. I'll always tell you which is which.
In the Lab127
No affiliate program49
Lanes4
AI
31 tools
ClaudeThe frontier model that ships in production.No affiliateCCursorThe AI editor for serious codebases.No affiliate
OpenAIStill the API every other model gets measured against.No affiliateMModel Context ProtocolThe standard plug between agents and the world.No affiliateGGeminiGoogle's frontier model, strong on long context and the Google stack.No affiliate
GrokReal-time, X-aware answers from xAI.No affiliatePPerplexityThe answer engine that cites its sources.No affiliateCChatGPTOpenAI's assistant, the one most people start with.No affiliateOOtter.aiMeeting transcription that turns talk into searchable notes.SScholarcyTurns dense papers into structured summary cards.NNotebookLMGrounded research notebook that only answers from your sources.No affiliateGGumloopVisual automation builder aimed at AI-heavy workflows.No affiliateCConsensusSearch that answers from peer-reviewed papers, not the open web.No affiliateSSemantic ScholarAI-indexed literature search from AI2, free to use.No affiliateSSonixTranscription that holds up on accents and crosstalk.DDescriptEdit audio and video by editing the transcript.FFireflies.aiMeeting notetaker that files itself into your CRM.HHeyGenAvatar video that survives being watched at full size.SSynthesiaEnterprise avatar video with the compliance paperwork done.DD-IDTalking-head video driven from a single still image.EElevenLabsThe voice model everything else gets compared against.LLM StudioLocal models with a desktop app anyone can run.No affiliateGGoogleThe search everyone else is measured against, now answering directly.No affiliatePPortfolioPilotAn AI advisor that actually reads your holdings.CCleoBudgeting that talks back, aimed squarely at phones.LLindyAI assistants that actually run your workflows, not just chat.CCartesiaRealtime voice models built for low-latency agents.No affiliateMMurfStudio-style AI voiceover for people who are not editors.WWellSaidVoice clones vetted for commercial narration.BBraveA browser whose search index is genuinely its own.No affiliateSSpeechifyTurns anything written into something you listen to.Build
37 tools
nn8nSelf-hostable automation that scales past Zapier.No affiliateVVercelThe deploy target for the modern web.No affiliateCClaude CodeAgentic coding in the terminal that reads your whole repo.No affiliatevv0Generate production React UI from a prompt.No affiliateWWindsurfThe agentic AI editor, Cursor's closest rival.No affiliateZZapierConnect apps without code, the automation default.MMakeVisual automation with serious branching power.CCloudflareWorkers, R2, and the edge platform I deploy on.No affiliateSSupabasePostgres, auth, and storage for AI apps.No affiliateCCodexOpenAI's agentic coding tool, terminal and cloud.No affiliateNNotionDocs, wiki, and now agents in one workspace.SShopifyThe commerce platform that ships stores fast.LLovablePrompt-to-app, the fastest path to a working MVP.No affiliateQQdrantRust vector database with filtering that actually scales.No affiliatePPineconeManaged vector search you never have to operate.No affiliatetturbopufferVector search built on object storage, priced accordingly.No affiliateZZilliz CloudManaged Milvus from the team that wrote it.No affiliateMMongoDB Atlas Vector SearchVector search where your documents already live.No affiliateRRedisThe cache everyone already runs, now doing vectors too.No affiliateBBubbleNo-code apps with real logic, and a real learning curve.FFlutterFlowVisual Flutter builder that exports code you can keep.GGlideTurns a spreadsheet into an app your team will actually open.SSoftrClient portals on top of Airtable without writing a line.RRetoolInternal tools assembled in an afternoon, not a sprint.No affiliateAAppSheetGoogle's no-code layer over the data you already keep.No affiliateSSitesGPTGenerates a working site from a prompt in one pass.vvLLMThe serving engine when throughput is the whole problem.No affiliateLLinearIssue tracking fast enough that people actually file issues.No affiliateJJiraThe tracker every enterprise standardises on eventually.No affiliateAAWSThe cloud the rest of the stack is measured against.No affiliateMMicrosoftThe stack half the enterprise world already pays for.No affiliateGGoogle CloudThe cloud behind Gemini, priced for builders.No affiliateBBigCommerceHeadless-ready commerce for stores that outgrew the templates.WWooCommerceCommerce bolted onto WordPress, for better and worse.No affiliateWWixThe builder that gets a site live before lunch.AActivepiecesOpen-source automation you can self-host without a licence.No affiliateUUiPathEnterprise RPA, now with agents bolted on.No affiliate
Design
8 tools
WWebflowThe visual builder that ships production-grade marketing sites.FFramerThe fastest way to ship a flagship marketing site.FFigmaWhere the design actually happens.No affiliateMMidjourneyThe benchmark for AI image quality.No affiliateCCanvaDesign for everyone, now with a real AI studio.RRunwayGenerative video the pros actually ship with.No affiliateHHiggsfieldCinematic AI video with real motion control.No affiliateKKittlDesign templates with genuinely good typography built in.
Growth
51 tools
HHubSpotThe CRM that grew into a full growth suite.AApolloB2B contact data and outbound in one place.SSmartleadCold email at scale with inbox rotation.IInstantlyCold outreach and deliverability for senders.MManychatChat automation for Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger.IIntercomThe support suite behind Fin, the rented agent I benchmark owned builds against.No affiliateAAhrefsThe backlink and SEO toolset, now AI-aware.No affiliateSSemrushThe all-in-one SEO and visibility platform.KKlaviyoEmail and SMS built for ecommerce revenue.KKrispCallCloud telephony with AI call transcription built in.LLaterSocial scheduling built around a visual content calendar.BBufferThe lean scheduler that stays out of the way.PPlanableSocial collaboration where approvals happen on the post itself.SSocialBeeCategory-based queues that recycle evergreen posts.AAgorapulseSocial management with a unified inbox at its centre.HHootsuiteThe incumbent scheduler, still the enterprise default.SSprout SocialSocial management priced for teams that report to a board.PPlanolyGrid-first planning for brands that live on Instagram.SSocialBuScheduling plus automation rules on a budget.MMetricoolScheduling and analytics in one dashboard, priced for solos.VVista SocialDeep scheduling and reporting without enterprise pricing.mmonday.comWork OS where the board is the database.CCloseCRM built around the call, not the pipeline report.JJotformForm builder with the deepest template library.TTypeformOne question at a time, and completion rates to match.PPaperformForms that read like a page you actually wrote.ZZonka FeedbackSurvey and CX feedback across every channel you run.CCognito FormsForms with real conditional logic and calculations built in.CCloudTalkCloud call centre with the integrations sales teams need.AActiveCampaignEmail automation that behaves like a CRM when you need one.OOmnisendEmail and SMS built specifically for ecommerce stores.KKitNewsletter platform that treats creators as the customer.MMailerLiteClean email marketing without the enterprise tax.MMailchimpThe name everyone starts with, and many outgrow.BBrevoEmail, SMS and chat on one bill, generous free tier.PPipedriveA CRM salespeople update without being chased.ffolkA contact-first CRM for people who network, not pipeline.EEngageBayMarketing, sales and support bundled at small-team pricing.SSalesforceThe enterprise standard, with the implementation bill to match.No affiliateSSE RankingThe full SEO suite at a price solo operators can carry.MMangoolsKeyword research that stays pleasant to use.WWhatConvertsTracks which lead came from which click, end to end.OOriginFinancial planning that treats the whole picture, not one account.WWealthfrontAutomated investing with the fees kept out of the way.ZZoho CRM PlusA whole suite for the price most vendors charge for one seat.SSetmoreFree-tier booking that covers a small team properly.RReclaim.aiDefends focus time by rearranging the calendar for you.MMotionAuto-scheduling that rebuilds the day when plans slip.HHomebaseShift scheduling built for hourly teams.CCal.comOpen-source scheduling you can host and shape yourself.CCalendlyScheduling links that ended the back-and-forth email.
Newsletter
One letter, every Sunday. Working systems, not hot takes.
Build logs, working systems, and field notes from running a portfolio of AI ventures.