# Start a small business

## Bottom line

Claude is our pick for start a small business. Free plan available. Pro is $20/mo. Catch: we haven't hand-tested it for this task.

Use Claude to start a small business.

Start cost: Free · Pro $20/mo

#1 · Our pick for your task

## Claude

Why it fits: Describe the service you want to offer and ask for a list of costs, customer questions and assumptions to test. Mark uncertain answers as.

Watch out for: Free-tier usage limits apply.

Cost: Free · Pro $20/mo

## Your task, in 4 steps

-

### List the resources you already have

List the mower you own, Saturday availability and the three nearby streets you could serve.

-

### List costs and test assumptions

Describe the service you want to offer and ask for a list of costs, customer questions and assumptions to test. Mark uncertain answers as research tasks.

Use in: Claude

List questions to research before opening [business idea, availability and service area], including equipment costs and permits.

[Open Claude with prompt](https://claude.ai/new?q=List%20questions%20to%20research%20before%20opening%20%5Bbusiness%20idea%2C%20availability%20and%20service%20area%5D%2C%20including%20equipment%20costs%20and%20permits.)
-

### Find official sources for local requirements

Then use Perplexity because it helps you find official sources for local requirements.

Use in: Perplexity

Search your tool for official local business registration and [business type] requirements; open the agency sources and add unresolved questions to your plan.

[Open Perplexity with prompt](https://perplexity.ai/search?q=Search%20your%20tool%20for%20official%20local%20business%20registration%20and%20%5Bbusiness%20type%5D%20requirements%3B%20open%20the%20agency%20sources%20and%20add%20unresolved%20questions%20to%20your%20plan.)
-

### Test the service idea before buying equipment

Call the relevant local office about permits and ask three potential customers what work they need before paying for supplies.

## Compare alternatives

### Perplexity

Search Perplexity for official local business registration and lawn-service requirements; open the agency sources and add unresolved.

Free · Pro $20/mo

[Open Perplexity](/go/perplexity?from=%2Ft%2Fstart-a-small-business)

Prices checked Oct 18, 2026

## Compare tools for this task

### Matched to this task

| Tool | Best for | Price | Free tier |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Claude](/tools/claude) | Describe the service you want to offer and ask for a list of costs, customer questions and assumptions to test. Mark uncertain answers as. | Free · Pro $20/mo | Yes · limits apply |
| [Perplexity](/tools/perplexity) | Search Perplexity for official local business registration and lawn-service requirements; open the agency sources and add unresolved. | Free · Pro $20/mo | Yes · limits apply |
| [Beautiful.ai](/tools/beautiful-ai) | Pick this if you need a tool that turns business figures into presentation slides. | Price not recorded | Trial only |

[12 more assistant tools in the catalog →](/tools?category=assistant)

## What we didn’t pick

Recorded task fit and selection limits for other catalog tools:

- ChatGPT, Gemini, Microsoft Copilot, Meta AI, DeepSeek, Copilot in Edge, Grok, Character.AI, Mistral Le Chat, Poe, Pi, Hugging Chat: Not assessed for this task.

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