The $100/mo AI Stack for Solopreneurs
The essential AI toolkit for running a one-person business. Tested over 6 months across writing, design, SEO, and email. Every tool earns its slot.
Why This Stack
I tested 15 AI tools over six months running a one-person content business. These four are the survivors — each one replaces something I used to pay a contractor for.
The Stack
1. Writing → Jasper AI ($49/mo)
Long-form blog drafts, brand voice consistency, and 100% Copyscape-clean outputs.
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2. Design → Midjourney ($10/mo)
Hero images, blog illustrations, and social posts. Replaces stock photo subscriptions.
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3. SEO → SurferSEO ($29/mo Lite)
On-page optimization. The Lite tier is enough for a solopreneur publishing 4–8 posts a month.
Disclosure: We earn a commission if you purchase through this link, at no extra cost to you. This keeps our site ad-free.
4. Email → ConvertKit (Free → $9/mo)
Until you hit 1,000 subscribers it's free. Then it's the cheapest creator-friendly ESP that doesn't suck.
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Total: ~$97/mo
| Tool | Cost | Replaces | | --- | --- | --- | | Jasper AI | $49 | $500/mo content writer | | Midjourney | $10 | $100/mo stock photos | | SurferSEO | $29 | $200/mo SEO consultant | | ConvertKit | $9 | $30/mo other ESPs | | Total | $97 | ~$830/mo of contractor work |
When to Add a Fifth Tool
Add a fifth tool only when one of these breaks:
- Hitting Jasper's word cap? Upgrade plan, don't add a second writer.
- Need video? Add Descript ($24/mo).
- Need scheduling? Add Buffer or Hypefury (~$15/mo).
Don't add tools you're not actively using daily. Tool sprawl kills solopreneurs.
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