The Internet can be a fascinating place. With over a billion websites in existence today, the number of resources you can use seems limitless. These sites could provide entertainment, work resources, connection opportunities, news, and self-improvement practices.
Many of the services or products that you can find online cost money. Maybe it is a streaming platform that allows you to watch TV shows and movies anytime. A cloud service lets businesses host their computing operations on remote servers via Wi-Fi. Want to use the Microsoft Office Suite? You will have to pay a yearly subscription.
What if you want to try out some of the many tools available online without paying for a monthly subscription? Here are six online tools that you can try for free that could benefit you greatly.
ChatGPT
Artificial intelligence is one of the biggest trends happening in 2023. Though there are many AI technologies in existence, none have matched the cultural phenomenon that is ChatGPT. This platform engages in human-like discussions, answering questions or prompts that are entered by people. You can use ChatGPT for free to start getting a taste of what this AI assistant can offer. Maybe you are a content writer and need some well-formed ideas to get through that writer’s block. Whatever your reason for using generative AI, you can get your feet wet without paying a cent.
YouTube Premium
Do you love consuming entertainment online like movies and TV shows? Are you trying to find the right streaming platform that offers a great library of content? While most streaming services may offer a seven-day free trial so that you can test out their platform before purchasing, this may not be enough to dive into the content and see if it is the right service for your needs. YouTube Premium, on the other hand, offers a one-month free trial to new subscribers. That means you have 30 days to explore their offerings and determine if it is worth the cost. Maybe there is just one show you want to watch and the free trial is long enough for you to complete it.
Usenet
Discussion platforms are great tools for those who like to engage in conversations with strangers. Typically, these forums allow people to talk about their passions, though some regulation is typically present. Not so with the separate platform known as Usenet. This is a network of global servers separate from the Internet. It hosts hundreds of thousands of “newsgroups,” all dedicated to specific topics. Discuss the topic of the newsgroup with others or download user-generated articles quickly and securely. Start your Usenet usage with some of the best free Usenet providers for a free trial.
Coursera
Continuing education is important for mental health and self-improvement. Learning new subjects or skills exercises your brain and equips you with knowledge that could benefit your professional aspirations or simply a passion project. Coursera is a free learning platform that offers a huge library of online courses, many of which are free. Here, you can learn practical knowledge or unique skill sets at no cost without even leaving the comfort of your home.
Grammarly
Most of us have plenty of reasons to type messages or content on computers. Maybe we are drafting a professional email or filling out an application online. Nothing undermines professionalism like grammar and spelling issues. Grammarly is a free tool that can be added as an extension to various writing tools, such as Google Chrome and Microsoft Word. Whenever you type using these applications, Grammarly will automatically highlight any writing issues so that you can quickly change them. No need to run a spelling/grammar check at the end when this tool does it in real-time as you type. The paid version offers even more insight to become a better writer, but the free version ensures those simpler mistakes are avoided.
Upwork
Do you have a skill that could be offered on the open market to make money as a freelancer? Freelancing has been a growing segment of the American economy, especially in recent years. Resume writing, web design, data entry, personal assistance, and other roles can be performed on a contract basis, and a free platform that facilitates these types of work scenarios can help you get your side hustle off the ground. Upwork lets you create a free account so that you can start bidding on projects in your given discipline.
Free Trials Can Save You Money
Paying for online tools is often necessary if you have to use them regularly. Making sure that you have chosen the right tool before spending any money is critical, which is why so many free trials and services exist. The six listed above are great examples of harnessing a free tool to see if it has all the capabilities you are seeking. Then, you can either move on to a better option or pay for the service if it can meet all your needs. Some services are free on an ongoing basis like Grammarly and Upwork, so you may never have to pay to use them.
