I Tried 100+ AI Tools. These 7 Are the Best

I Tried 100+ AI Tools. These 7 Are the Best

by Nate Herk · View the channel on PSI

Humanities, Social Sciences & Thought AI — News & Applications UYComputer scienceUYQArtificial intelligence (AI)
🎙 Nate Herk 👥 1.1M 📅 October 19, 2026 ⏱ 10 min 👁 41K 📄 expert opinion 🧭 2026-10-20
Available in: English (current) Français

Keywords

AI toolsautomationClaude CodeOpenRouterVPS

Summary

Nate Herk, who runs an AI automation agency, shares the seven AI tools he finds most valuable for his business after testing over 100. The first is a combination of Claude Code and Codex, AI coding agents that work on the local computer and serve as his ‘second brain’ and all-around assistant. Second is OpenRouter, a unified platform providing access to 500+ AI models from 80+ providers, simplifying API management and enabling automatic fallbacks. Third is hosting on a VPS (virtual private server), specifically through Hostinger (a sponsor), which keeps automated agents running 24/7. Fourth is Grokbot, a bot-building app with connectors to common services, allowing scheduled automations from a mobile device. Fifth is Glydo, a voice-dictation app with a command mode that can execute actions via custom plugins; the creator is a partner. Sixth is key.ai, a pay-per-use image and video generation service. Seventh is trigger.dev, a serverless platform for running deterministic TypeScript scripts on schedules or webhooks. The video also mentions a free ‘AIOS’ template based on the ‘Herc Loop’ framework. The presenter emphasizes real-world utility and cost savings, while conceding that the list is subjective and may change.

191 words

Critical Evaluation

Value of the Information & Strength of the Argument

The video provides practical, hands-on insights from a business operator, which is valuable for entrepreneurs considering AI adoption. The argumentation is based on personal experience and specific use cases, giving concrete examples of how each tool integrates into daily workflows. However, the reasoning is largely anecdotal and lacks quantitative evidence or comparative benchmarks. The creator openly discusses trade-offs, such as the need to switch between Claude Code and Codex depending on task and model performance, which adds credibility. The sponsored segments are disclosed, reducing deception but still introducing potential bias. Overall, the value lies in revealing which tools are genuinely useful from a practitioner’s perspective, though the lack of objective validation limits its scientific merit.

Scientific Rigor, Source Quality, Title Accuracy

The video does not cite external scientific sources; it relies on the creator’s personal testing and descriptions. The sources cited are links to the tools themselves and promotional offers (Hostinger, Glydo, and a free template). The rigour is moderate: the creator is transparent about partnerships and sponsorships, and he explains the rationale behind each choice. However, there is no independent verification or comparison with industry benchmarks. The title is well-aligned with the content, as exactly seven tools are presented. The video includes a distinct sponsored segment (Hostinger) of approximately 30 seconds (from timestamp 3:13 until 4:20), which is disclosed. No significant contradictions with established knowledge were identified, but the personal bias and commercial interests limit the impartiality.

247 words

Title / Content Match

The title accurately reflects the content: the creator lists seven AI tools he personally considers the best among over 100 tested.

Quality & Reliability

6/10

The video presents subjective, experience-based recommendations. It includes a sponsored segment (Hostinger) and a personal endorsement for Glydo (in which the creator is a partner), which introduces bias. However, the tools described are real, widely used, and generally well-regarded. No external sources are cited to verify claims, and the evaluation is limited to the creator's personal workflow.

Chapters

Cited Sources

External References

Contribution & Novelties

The video offers a practical, practitioner-oriented selection of AI tools that have proven reliable for business operations, emphasizing cost savings and automation. Its main novelty is the integration of tools like Claude Code and Codex as core ‘second brain’ assistants, and the use of platforms like OpenRouter for model management. The ‘Herc Loop’ framework and the concept of an ‘AI operating system’ (AIOS) are presented as an original organizational approach.

Pour aller plus loin :

  • Claude Code (Anthropic) — Official documentation for Claude Code, an AI coding agent that works locally.
  • OpenRouter — A platform aggregating 500+ AI models from multiple providers under one API.
  • Virtual Private Server (VPS) — Wikipedia explanation of VPS, the hosting technology recommended in the video.
  • Trigger.dev — Official site for trigger.dev, a serverless automation platform for TypeScript scripts.

134 words

Radar Profile

The radar profile shows moderate scores across all dimensions, with slightly higher on quantity of information and lower on reliability due to possible bias. The balance suggests a practical, accessible video that provides useful tool recommendations but lacks deep technical rigor and independent validation.

Reliability 6/10