The best tools for builders.

Vercel

Your website is your storefront, and speed is your best salesperson. We explain why we happily pay the $20/month premium for Vercel, how it instantly made our client sites faster, and why sticking with the creators of NextJS gives you a massive advantage over cheaper hosting.

Bland AI

I have spent a lot of time recently testing different AI voice platforms. Bland AI stands out as a platform designed to build hyper-realistic phone agents. Here is my honest review of Bland AI, how it works, and whether you should use it.

Voiceflow

If you want to build a chatbot without writing code, Voiceflow is the first place you should look. We break down how its visual 'whiteboard' canvas helps us explain AI logic to clients, where the knowledge base shines, and the one major design flaw you need to know about.

Vapi

We moved our entire voice infrastructure from Bland to Vapi, but it wasn't easy. In this review, we share the raw truth about the learning curve, the bugs we fought, and why the total control Vapi gives you is worth the headache for serious builders.

Retell AI

Voice AI is moving fast. In this review, I break down exactly what Retell AI is, its pros and cons, and whether it's truly the best choice for business voice agents.

How we review (and why you can trust us)

We know how frustrating it is to hunt for software. You spend hours watching videos and reading landing pages, only to find out the tool doesn't actually do what you need. We are not influencers, and we are not trying to sell you anything. We are builders, just like you.

We want to be completely transparent with you. We are not affiliates for any of the apps on this list. We do not get paid to review them, and no amount of money can buy a spot on this page. These apps are here because they caught our eye, and we personally tested them in our own projects. We looked for bugs, we tested their limits, and we judged them based on whether they could run a real business. We are sharing our raw, honest experience so you can make the right choice without guessing.

Why you should stop chasing "shiny objects"

Once you start looking for AI tools, it is easy to get overwhelmed. Every week there is a new "game-changer" that promises to solve all your problems. It is very tempting to jump ship and try every new thing that goes viral, but we have learned that this is usually a mistake.

For a business owner, "boring" is often better. You want tools that are stable, reliable, and proven. You want a foundation that won't disappear or break next month. We strongly advise you to stick with established platforms that have a track record. Let other people waste their time beta-testing the newest hype. You should focus your energy on building your company, not fixing your tools.

The trade-off between ease of use and power

As you explore these apps, you might notice that some of the best ones have a steeper learning curve. They might look a bit intimidating at first, or require you to understand how things work under the hood.

We believe that this complexity is often a good thing. The more control a tool gives you, the more professional it usually is. Simple tools are great for getting started quickly, but they often hit a ceiling when your business starts to grow. Powerful tools might take a few more days to learn, but they give you the freedom to build exactly what you envision, without limitations. Do not be afraid of a challenge - it is often the path to a better result.

A note on objectivity (and why "best" is subjective)

Finally, we want to admit that every "best of" list is biased, and ours is no different. Our bias is toward utility. We favor tools that are usable, repeatable, and valuable in a real operational context.

We care less about novelty and more about practicality. Can a founder actually use this tool without becoming a full-time prompt engineer? Can a team adopt it without constant friction? Does it actually improve your speed or quality? If the answer is yes, then it earns a spot on our list.