2025 AI Productivity Stack: Top 10 AI Tools I Use Weekly to Get More Done

Olivia Moore, a partner at a16z, outlines a core stack of 10 AI tools selected for weekly or daily productivity enhancement over the last two years.

• Comet (Perplexity's AI Browser)

  • Serves as the default browser and a triage interface for G Suite email and calendar.
  • Enables direct scheduling, sorting, and sending of emails within the Comet UI.
  • Allows users to build and save "shortcuts" (prompts) to run on any web page or context.
  • Use cases include drafting custom outreach based on specific websites and generating automations from saved LinkedIn profiles.
  • Currently free for most users; requires a Perplexity Max subscription ($200/month) for full access.

• Julius (Data Analysis Tool)

  • Offers more reliable Excel processing and iteration capabilities compared to standard chat models.
  • Supports natural language analysis, including specific requests like plotting inflation data or finding periods with highest variance.
  • Features reusable notebooks for recurring analysis (e.g., daily customer origin tracking).
  • Allows custom templates for generating and downloading graphics.
  • Pricing structure: Free tier (15 messages/month); paid plans start at $20/month.

• Happenstance (AI-Native LinkedIn Replacement)

  • Enables complex natural language searches across LinkedIn, Gmail, and Twitter connections, surpassing traditional filter limits.
  • Example search capability: "Engineers in SF with five years of experience at early-stage startups."
  • Ranks and scores search results based on connection networks and friend/co-worker groups.
  • Facilitates direct intros within the platform and via Slack or email tagging.
  • Pricing: Free tier available; paid tier ($24/month) offers unlimited searches, results, and exports.

• Granola (AI Note-Taker)

  • Operates invisibly without placing a bot in meetings; supports manual triggering or auto-recording for Zoom/Google Meet.
  • Combines manual notes with AI-generated real-time transcripts and suggests questions during meetings.
  • Organizes meetings into folders for specific queries (e.g., finding candidates by location).
  • Integrates with Zapier to trigger automations, such as summarizing Y Combinator meetings and adding them to shared Google Docs.
  • Pricing: Free trial (25 meetings); paid plans start at $18/month for unlimited meetings; enterprise options available for privacy.

• Gamma (Slide Deck and Document Generator)

  • Functions as an AI-native replacement for Google Slides and Docs to resolve the "blank page" problem.
  • Features an AI-powered editor for iterative design changes (e.g., making content more concise or adding columns).
  • Allows non-uniform slide layouts and includes interactive elements like dropdowns.
  • Pricing: Free tier available; Plus plan starts at $10/month.

• Willow (Voice Dictation and Editing)

  • Capable of both dictation and retroactive editing of writing via voice commands.
  • Includes a desktop app with hotkey functionality to drop dictated text into any application (email, Slack, browser).
  • Adapts to individual speaking patterns and editing habits to improve future effectiveness.
  • Pricing: Free plan (2,000 words/month); paid plan ($12/month) offers unlimited use.

• Superhuman (AI-Enhanced Email Client)

  • Known for productivity shortcuts; upgraded with AI features including auto-labeling, split inbox, and instant replies.
  • Uses auto-reminders to resurface important emails that have gone unanswered.
  • Pricing: $300/year or $30/month.

• Overlap (Video Content Repurposing)

  • Auto-detects and scores engaging moments in long-form video to create social-ready short clips.
  • Generates styled captions and mimics the tone of past posts for consistency.
  • Allows clipping content from other channels or creators.
  • Pricing: Solo plan ($20/month); Team plan ($250/month); custom enterprise solutions available.

• Crea (AI Content Creation Platform)

  • Hosts integrated models for image, video, lip-sync, and animation generation.
  • Includes smart workflow tools to iterate on content, such as upscaling images and converting them to video.
  • Supports "training" of models on specific individuals for hyper-realistic content generation.
  • Pricing: Free plan for testing; Pro plans start at $8/month for higher generation limits.

• ChatGPT (General AI Assistant)

  • Heavy usage of Deep Research for market dives and GPT-4.0 for image generation.
  • Relies on "O3" for highly reasoned takes.
  • Notes disappointment with the current performance of new agent and connector features.
  • User maintains a $200/month Pro subscription and anticipates long-term retention.