Introduction: The Gift That Won't End Up in a Drawer
Let's face it: finding the perfect gift for someone passionate about tech is an annual headache. Gadgets often end up forgotten, books sit on shelves, and generic gift cards lack any real personality.
This year, I have a different solution: give an AI tool subscription.
Why? Because a good AI subscription is a gift that gets used every day. You're giving hours of saved productivity, unlocked creativity, or simply the joy of playing with cutting-edge technology. And unlike physical objects, you don't need to worry about size, color, or storage space.
In this article, you'll discover:
- 10 AI subscriptions sorted by recipient profile
- Exact prices and how to gift each subscription
- My personal recommendations based on your budget
- A summary table to decide in 30 seconds
Prerequisites Before Gifting
Before diving in, a few checks are in order:
- Make sure the person isn't already subscribed (a subtle message works)
- Confirm they have a compatible device (most work in a browser)
- Prepare a virtual card with instructions (some services don't have an official "gift" option)
- Plan for the right amount (prices vary by region and taxes)
Pro Tip: Most AI services don't offer official "gift cards." The solution? Give a prepaid Visa card for the exact amount, along with a nice card explaining the gift. This is what 90% of people do to work around the problem.
Subscription #1: ChatGPT Plus
$20/moBy OpenAI - The Undisputed Classic
Who is it for?
The all-rounder - Someone who wants an AI assistant for everything: writing, research, brainstorming, coding, and much more.
What your recipient will get
ChatGPT Plus gives access to GPT-5.1, OpenAI's most advanced model, with:
- Priority responses even during peak hours
- Image generation via integrated DALL-E
- Document analysis (PDFs, images, files)
- Web browsing for up-to-date answers
- Early access to new features
How to gift it?
OpenAI doesn't offer official gift cards. The best method: give a prepaid Visa/Mastercard for $20 or more, with a note explaining how to sign up at chat.openai.com.
This is THE safe gift. Even if the person has already tried the free version of ChatGPT, the difference with Plus is significant. One month is usually enough to create a habit.
Subscription #2: Claude Pro
$20/moBy Anthropic - The Ethical and Powerful Alternative
Who is it for?
The analyst - Someone who works with long documents, does deep research, or appreciates nuanced responses.
What your recipient will get
Claude Pro from Anthropic offers:
- Access to Claude Opus 4.5, the most intelligent model in the lineup
- 5x more usage than the free version
- Massive conversation context (up to 500,000 tokens of memory)
- Extended Thinking for complex analyses
- Priority access to new features
How to gift it?
Same principle as OpenAI: prepaid card for the desired amount. For the annual subscription at $200, it's even better value.
If your recipient works in legal, finance, or regularly handles long documents, Claude Pro is superior to ChatGPT for these use cases. The extended reasoning is truly impressive.
Subscription #3: Midjourney StandardMy pick
$30/moBy Midjourney Inc. - For Visual Creatives
Who is it for?
The artist or creative - Someone who loves creating visuals, whether for fun or work.
The different plans
- Basic: $10/mo - ~200 images/month
- Standard: $30/mo - Unlimited generation in Relax mode
- Pro: $60/mo - For intensive commercial use
What your recipient will get
With Midjourney V7, your recipient will have access to:
- Photorealistic image generation at professional quality
- Draft Mode to iterate 10x faster
- Automatic personalization of aesthetic preferences
- Omni-reference to maintain consistent characters
- Video generation (on higher plans)
How to gift it?
Midjourney accepts credit cards via Stripe. Create an account on midjourney.com with the recipient's email, subscribe, then share the login credentials. Alternative: prepaid card + instructions.
The Standard plan at $30/mo is the sweet spot. Relax mode allows unlimited generation, which is perfect for experimenting. The Basic plan is too limited to really have fun.
Subscription #4: Perplexity Pro
$20/moBy Perplexity AI - The Search Engine of the Future
Who is it for?
The researcher or student - Someone who needs factual answers with verifiable sources.
What your recipient will get
Perplexity Pro transforms online research:
- Unlimited searches with Pro mode (multi-step reasoning)
- Access to the best models (GPT-5, Claude 4, Gemini)
- Automatic citations from all sources
- File uploads (PDF, CSV, images, audio, video)
- $5 API credit included each month
How to gift it?
Perplexity doesn't offer official gift cards either. Prepaid card recommended, or direct signup if you have access to the person's email.
This is the ideal gift for students, journalists, or analysts. The quality of citations and source reliability make Perplexity a unique tool. The annual subscription at $200/year offers excellent value.
Subscription #5: Nano Banana Pro
$25/moBy Nano Banana - The AI Organization Tool
Who is it for?
The overwhelmed productivity seeker - Someone juggling a thousand tasks who dreams of an assistant that organizes everything.
What your recipient will get
Nano Banana Pro has become the "revelation" tool of 2025:
- Intelligent virtual desktop that organizes automatically
- Native integration with Google Workspace, Notion, Slack
- Customizable contextual automations
- Daily summaries and pre-meeting briefings
- Automatic email sorting by priority
How to gift it?
Sign up through their official website. Gift 3 months to allow for proper onboarding (the learning curve is longer than other tools).
Nano Banana requires an initial setup investment, but once configured, it's transformative. Perfect for managers, freelancers, or entrepreneurs.
Subscription #6: Notion AI
$10/moBy Notion Labs - For Organization Enthusiasts
Who is it for?
The existing Notion user - Someone who already uses Notion and wants to level up.
What your recipient will get
- Content generation directly within Notion pages
- Automatic summaries of notes and documents
- Instant translation into multiple languages
- Action item extraction from meeting notes
- Q&A across the entire workspace
How to gift it?
If the person already has a Notion account, you can gift the AI upgrade via a Notion gift card (available on their site) or a prepaid card.
Important: Only gift this if the person already uses Notion. Otherwise, it's pointless.
Subscription #7: Runway ProMy pick
$35/moBy Runway ML - For AI Video Creators
Who is it for?
The video content creator - Someone interested in AI-powered video generation.
The different plans
- Standard: $15/mo (625 credits)
- Pro: $35/mo (2250 credits)
- Unlimited: $95/mo (unlimited generation)
What your recipient will get
Runway is the leader in AI video generation:
- High-quality text-to-video
- Image-to-video to animate photos
- Professional editing tools
- Background removal and advanced effects
- Motion Brush to control movements
How to gift it?
Runway accepts card payments. Sign up at runwayml.com with credential transfer or prepaid card.
AI video generation is still young, but Runway is clearly in the lead. The Pro plan at $35 offers enough credits to really explore the possibilities.
Subscription #8: GitHub Copilot
$10/moBy GitHub (Microsoft) - For Developers
Who is it for?
The developer - Someone who codes regularly, regardless of skill level.
The different plans
- Individual: $10/mo or $100/year
- Business: $19/user/month
What your recipient will get
GitHub Copilot with integrated Claude Opus 4.1:
- Intelligent code autocompletion in real-time
- Function generation from comments
- Existing code explanation
- Unit test suggestions
- Support for all major languages
How to gift it?
GitHub offers gift cards in some regions. Otherwise, prepaid card to github.com/features/copilot.
Good to know: GitHub Copilot is free for students with the GitHub Student Developer Pack. Check before buying!
Subscription #9: Eleven Labs CreatorMy pick
$22/moBy Eleven Labs - For Audio Creators
Who is it for?
The podcaster or audio content creator - Someone who works with voice.
The different plans
- Starter: $5/mo (30 minutes of generation)
- Creator: $22/mo (2 hours of generation)
- Pro: $99/mo (11 hours of generation)
What your recipient will get
Eleven Labs is the benchmark in voice synthesis:
- Ultra-realistic voices in 29+ languages
- Voice cloning (with consent)
- Automatic video dubbing
- API for integrations
- Generative sound effects
How to gift it?
Sign up at elevenlabs.io. The Creator plan at $22 is ideal for getting started seriously.
The quality of Eleven Labs voices is mind-blowing. For podcasters, content translators, or explainer video creators, it's an original and useful gift.
Subscription #10: Gemini Advanced
$22/moBy Google - For the Google Ecosystem
Who is it for?
The Google user - Someone deeply embedded in the Google ecosystem (Gmail, Drive, Docs).
What your recipient will get
Gemini Advanced with Gemini 3 Pro:
- Native integration with Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Drive
- 2 TB of storage via Google One included
- NotebookLM Plus for research
- Gemini in Workspace for all tools
- Image generation via Imagen 3
How to gift it?
Google One offers gift cards in many countries. It's the simplest method.
If the person lives in Google Workspace, this is the obvious gift. Gemini integration in Gmail and Docs truly changes the daily experience. The 2 TB storage is a nice bonus.
Summary Table: Which Subscription to Choose?
| Subscription | Price/mo | Ideal for | Ease | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ChatGPT Plus | $20 | Everyone | ** | Safe bet |
| Claude Pro | $20 | Analysts, researchers | ** | Premium |
| Midjourney Standard | $30 | Visual creatives | *** | Favorite |
| Perplexity Pro | $20 | Students, journalists | ** | Top research |
| Nano Banana Pro | $25 | Managers, freelancers | ** | 2025 revelation |
| Notion AI | $10 | Notion users | **** | If already a user |
| Runway Pro | $35 | Video creators | ** | Innovative |
| GitHub Copilot | $10 | Developers | *** | Dev essential |
| Eleven Labs | $22 | Audio creators | ** | Original |
| Gemini Advanced | $22 | Google users | **** | Google ecosystem |
Ease of gifting legend: ** = prepaid card needed | **** = official gift card available
Quick Guide by Budget
Tight budget (under $15/mo)
GitHub Copilot ($10) for a developer, or Notion AI ($10) for a Notion user
Medium budget ($15-25/mo)
ChatGPT Plus or Claude Pro ($20) - The universal safe bets
Comfortable budget ($25-40/mo)
Midjourney Standard ($30) for a creative, or Runway Pro ($35) for a video creator
Generous budget ($50+ or annual)
Perplexity Pro annual ($200/year) or Midjourney Pro ($60/mo) for professional use
FAQ: Your Questions About AI Gifts
How do I gift a subscription if the service doesn't offer gift cards?
The most reliable method remains the rechargeable prepaid Visa/Mastercard. Buy it for the exact amount (or slightly more for taxes), pair it with a card explaining the gift and signup instructions. This is the standard approach adopted by the tech community.
Can I gift an annual subscription instead of monthly?
Yes, and it's often better value! Claude Pro annual ($200/year = $17/mo), Perplexity Pro annual ($200/year = $17/mo), and Midjourney all offer 15-20% discounts for annual commitments. It's also more impactful as a gift.
What if the person doesn't like the tool?
Most services allow cancellation at any time. For a gift, give one month first to test. If they like it, you can always add a longer subscription later.
Are these subscriptions suitable for AI beginners?
Absolutely. ChatGPT Plus, Claude Pro, and Perplexity Pro have very accessible interfaces. Even someone who has never used AI can get started with these tools in minutes. Midjourney requires a bit more learning to master the prompts.
Conclusion: The Gift That Makes a Difference
An AI subscription isn't just a fleeting gadget - it's a gateway to new possibilities. Whether your recipient is a creative, analyst, developer, or simply curious, there's a tool that can transform the way they work or create.
My 3 personal recommendations for Christmas 2025:
- ChatGPT Plus ($20/mo) - The universal choice, impossible to go wrong
- Midjourney Standard ($30/mo) - To impress a creative
- Perplexity Pro annual ($200/year) - The "premium" gift that lasts all year
Don't forget to pair your prepaid card with a note explaining why you chose this particular tool. It's that personal touch that transforms a simple subscription into a real Christmas gift.
And you, which AI subscription would you like to find under the tree? Let me know in the comments!
This article is part of our special Christmas 2025 series. Coming tomorrow: "The Big Flops of 2025: Those AI Gadgets We've Already Forgotten."
About the author: The EverydayAITech team has been testing and analyzing artificial intelligence tools since 2023. Our mission: democratize AI by providing practical, honest guides without unnecessary technical jargon.
Disclaimer: This article contains no affiliate links. Prices mentioned are those observed in December 2025 and may vary by region and applicable taxes.