The Most Popular AI Tools in the United States: Subscription Costs, Company Revenues, and Government Use
In recent years, the United States has witnessed an unprecedented surge in the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) tools. From education and research to business operations and everyday tasks, AI platforms have become indispensable. Understanding the most widely used tools, their subscription pricing, and the revenues they generate is crucial for anyone following the digital economy. Additionally, there is an ongoing debate about whether the U.S. government directly profits from these platforms.
This article provides an in-depth analysis of the top AI tools in the United States, their subscription models, company revenues, and the financial relationship between tech companies and the U.S. government.
1. ChatGPT – The Most Widely Used AI Tool
ChatGPT, developed by OpenAI, stands as the most popular AI platform across the United States. Millions of users, from students to enterprises, rely on it daily for writing, coding, research, customer support, and more.
Subscription Plans:
- ChatGPT Plus: $20/month, offering faster access to the GPT-4o model.
- ChatGPT Pro: $200/month, designed for power users with advanced features like enhanced voice interaction.
- ChatGPT Team: $30/user/month (or $25 with annual billing), ideal for small and medium businesses.
- ChatGPT Enterprise: Around $60/user/month, with enterprise-grade security, analytics, and admin controls.
Revenues:
OpenAI has seen explosive growth. Its annual recurring revenue (ARR) surpassed $10 billion in 2025, compared to around $5.5 billion the year before. The company now serves over 5 million enterprise and education subscribers, making it the most commercially successful AI tool in the U.S.
2. GitHub Copilot – AI for Developers
Owned by Microsoft, GitHub Copilot has become essential for programmers. It assists in writing code, solving bugs, and increasing productivity.
Pricing:
- Individual Plan: $10/month.
- Enterprise (Copilot for Microsoft 365): $30/month per user in addition to Office 365.
Financial Outlook:
The individual plan has been criticized as unprofitable due to high computing costs, but enterprise pricing ensures sustainability and profitability.
3. Jasper AI – AI for Marketing Content
Jasper AI is widely used by marketers and businesses to generate ad copy, blog posts, and branded content.
Pricing:
- Creator Plan: $39/month.
- Pro Plan: $59/user/month.
Its user base in the U.S. continues to grow, particularly among startups and digital marketing agencies.
4. Grammarly – AI for Writing and Proofreading
Grammarly remains one of the most trusted AI writing assistants in the United States, popular among students, professionals, and enterprises.
Pricing:
- Individual Annual Plan: About $12/month.
- Monthly Plan: $30/month.
- Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing depending on company size.
5. Midjourney – AI for Image Generation
When it comes to creative design, Midjourney is the leading AI-based image generator, accessible primarily through Discord.
Pricing:
- Basic: $10/month.
- Standard: $30/month.
- Pro: $60/month.
- Mega: $120/month.
It has empowered thousands of designers and content creators to produce professional-grade visuals at scale.
6. Perplexity AI – AI-Powered Search Engine
Perplexity AI is gaining ground as a direct competitor to traditional search engines by offering concise answers with verified sources.
- Free plan available (Freemium model).
- Pro Plan for enterprise users.
- In the U.S., Samsung Galaxy users currently enjoy a free one-year Pro subscription, boosting adoption significantly.
7. Cursor (Anysphere) – AI for Software Development
Developed by Anysphere, Cursor has quickly become one of the fastest-growing AI coding environments in the U.S.
- Its annual recurring revenue (ARR) exceeded $500 million by mid-2025.
- The company is now valued at nearly $9.9 billion, underscoring the booming demand for AI in software development.
8. Does the U.S. Government Profit from AI Tools?
One of the most common questions is whether the American government directly profits from AI subscriptions. The answer is no.
- In fact, federal agencies were granted ChatGPT Enterprise access for just $1 per agency for the first year. This symbolic pricing strategy aims to encourage widespread adoption rather than generate profit.
- The U.S. government does, however, spend heavily on AI contracts. For example, the Department of Defense signed an agreement with OpenAI valued at up to $200 million to use AI for cybersecurity, data analysis, and defense applications.
In summary, the government is not making direct revenue from AI platforms. Instead, it benefits from efficiency, security improvements, and enhanced productivity across agencies.
9. Conclusion
The U.S. has firmly established itself as the largest AI market in the world, with tools like ChatGPT, GitHub Copilot, Jasper AI, Grammarly, Midjourney, Perplexity AI, and Cursor shaping the digital landscape.
- ChatGPT dominates with multibillion-dollar revenues.
- GitHub Copilot and Cursor are transforming the software development industry.
- Midjourney and Jasper AI are redefining creativity and marketing.
- The U.S. government, while not profiting directly, is leveraging AI tools at low cost to modernize its operations.
Looking ahead, revenues in this sector are expected to double within a few years, positioning AI not just as an innovation but as a core driver of the American digital economy.
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