No single tool is required, and several do real work for free. Build the stack you would actually use — toggle billing and student pricing — and watch the honest total.
“Free” means a real, usable free tier — with limits. “Paid” uses each tool's cheapest plan that unlocks it. Domain registration (~$10/yr) and per-seat counts aren't included. Prices verified {{ lastVerified }}.
Pick tools on the left — or try a preset — to see what a real stack would run you.
Tip: many libraries already provide Google Workspace, and the free tiers here cover a lot. Start free, pay only where the limits actually pinch.
I don't think the goal is the biggest stack — it's the smallest one that fits how you actually work. I pay for a few tools because I use them daily and the time they save is worth it to me. Your math will be different. Try the free tiers first, learn one tool deeply before adding another, and remember these numbers move — always confirm on the official site before you commit.