Should HR Pay for AI Tools or Stick With the Free Versions?
Recently, I ran a poll where 66% of people said they only use free AI tools.
I get it, why pay when there are so many free options available? But here’s the real question: is it actually worth spending the extra money on these apps?
In my opinion, the answer is yes.
And as someone working in HR, I’ve tested and paid for several tools to see if the value matches the hype. It does!
Let me walk you through what I use, why I pay for it, and, most importantly, how HR professionals like you can use AI today to save time, reduce stress, and elevate your impact.
ChatGPT – Free vs Paid
Let’s start with the big one: ChatGPT.
💎 Free version: You’ll get GPT-5, which is powerful, but you’ll face lower usage limits, slower response times during peak hours, and fewer advanced tools.
💎 Paid version (Plus/Pro): This unlocks higher limits, priority speed, access to “Pro” or deep-reasoning modes, expanded browsing and research capacity, and early access to new features.
For me, the free version was great to start with—but I quickly hit the limits. I use it so much in HR that it became frustrating. Upgrading was a no-brainer.
12 Ways HR Can Use ChatGPT (or Similar AI Tools)
Here are just some of the ways you can integrate AI into your HR practice today:
Write job descriptions & adverts that actually attract the candidates you want.
Generate interview questions in seconds, tailored to the role.
Draft employee communications - emails, newsletters, and announcements that sound professional but human.
Map out HR roadmaps and strategy plans without starting from a blank page.
Create change management comms & FAQs that reduce confusion and build trust.
Design training outlines and workshops with structure and flow.
Suggest HR metrics, KPIs & dashboards so you can measure what matters.
Outline employee relations processes (disciplinary, grievance, return-to-work) – always sense-check with your policies and legal guidance!
Provide scripts & prompts for tricky conversations (performance, redundancy, conflict resolution).
Generate wellbeing resources & toolkits that show you care about more than compliance.
Create personal PDPs and career reflections that employees can actually use.
Summarise new employment laws & HR trends into plain, simple language.
For HR professionals, using ChatGPT isn’t a “nice to have” - it’s a productivity multiplier. It can literally save you hours every week.
Other Paid AI Tools I Recommend
Of course, ChatGPT isn’t the only AI tool that can transform your HR practice. Here are two more I pay for and wouldn’t go without:
Canva Pro
As HR professionals, we’re often tasked with communications, presentations, and creating resources.
The free version of Canva is good, but Canva Pro opens up a whole new level of design options. It gives you access to premium templates, advanced branding tools, and a vast library of graphics, videos, and stock images.
👉 If your organisation isn’t already paying for it, it’s worth the small monthly investment yourself. The difference in professionalism is night and day.
Noota (or any AI note-taker)
This is my personal favourite. Noota automatically joins my meetings and takes detailed notes, transcripts, and summaries.
There is absolutely no reason why HR professionals should still be handwriting meeting notes in 2025. Tools like Noota, Fireflies, or Otter save you time, improve accuracy, and let you focus on the conversation, not scribbling every word.
Is it expensive? No. Is it worth it? 100%.
Click here to check out Noota (affiliate link)
The Bigger Picture: AI Won’t Replace HR—But HR Without AI Risks Being Left Behind
There’s a lot of noise out there about AI taking jobs. I don’t buy into the “HR will be replaced” narrative.
What I do believe is this: HR professionals who don’t embrace AI will fall behind.
When you walk into your next interview or leadership meeting, don’t be surprised if someone asks: “How are you using AI to improve efficiency, insight, or engagement in HR?”
Will you have an answer?
Final Thoughts
AI tools, whether free or paid, are here to stay. Free versions are a great way to test the waters, but for many of us, the small monthly investment pays for itself in time saved, stress avoided, and credibility gained.
So if you’re an HR professional wondering whether it’s worth upgrading, my advice is simple: yes.
The question isn’t can you afford to pay for AI tools?—it’s can you afford not to?
Claire Cathcart
Founder - ELEVATE Hub
