Free AI Tools: ChatGPT, Claude, Grok and Memside
By Sravanth Thota
ยท
Free AI tools can handle everyday writing, research, planning, learning, and comparison work. ChatGPT, Claude, and Grok each provide useful capabilities without requiring a paid AI subscription.
Free plans also have usage limits. When one service reaches its limit, continuing in another service usually means explaining the task again, copying earlier messages, or rebuilding the important context from memory. Memside provides a free shared memory layer that can reduce that repeated setup.
Use free AI tools with shared memory
Memside stores useful context separately from an individual AI chat. Saved context can include preferences, project notes, decisions, operating rules, references, facts, and checkpoints.
ChatGPT, Claude, and Grok can connect to Memside through OAuth. Once connected, each service can retrieve approved context from the same Memside account. This makes it easier to move between free AI tools while keeping the useful parts of earlier work available.
OAuth also keeps the setup simple. A Memside API key does not need to be copied into ChatGPT, Claude, or Grok during these connector flows. Authentication happens by signing in to the Memside account and approving the connection.
Connect ChatGPT to Memside
ChatGPT supports adding Memside as a custom plugin through OAuth. The location of Developer mode can vary slightly as the ChatGPT interface changes.
Open the profile menu and select Settings.
Open Plugin or Security, depending on the interface shown.
Scroll down and enable Developer mode.
Close Settings.
Open Plugins from the left panel.
Select the plus button in the upper-right corner.
Choose the option to add a custom plugin.
Enter `Memside` as the name.
Use `https://api.memside.com/mcp/` as the MCP server URL.
Keep authentication set to OAuth and complete the Memside sign-in.
Managed workspaces may apply administrator permissions, and availability can vary by region or supported surface. Personal accounts normally follow the setup shown above.
Connect Claude to Memside
Claude supports remote MCP custom connectors on Free, Pro, Max, Team, and Enterprise plans. Claude Free currently allows one custom connector, so Memside can use that available connection.
Open Claude in a browser or desktop app.
Go to Customize and open Connectors.
Select the plus button and choose Add custom connector.
Enter `Memside` as the connector name.
Use `https://api.memside.com/mcp/` as the remote MCP server URL.
Add the connector and complete the Memside OAuth sign-in.
After setup, the Memside connector can be enabled for a conversation from Claude's connector controls. Team and Enterprise workspaces may require an owner to add or approve a custom connector.
Connect Grok to Memside
Grok makes connectors available to its users, including custom MCP connections. Memside can be added from the Grok connector area and authenticated through OAuth.
Open Grok and select Connectors.
Select New connector.
Choose Custom.
Enter `Memside` as the connector name.
Use `https://api.memside.com/mcp/` as the MCP server URL.
Add the connector and complete the Memside OAuth sign-in.
The connected service should be reviewed before access is approved. This is a useful general safety rule for every custom connector, even when the setup takes only a few minutes.
Continue when a free AI limit is reached
Consider a casual user comparing laptops for study and light creative work. ChatGPT may help identify suitable specifications and create an initial shortlist. The useful requirements, rejected options, budget, and shortlist can then be saved as a Memside checkpoint.
If the ChatGPT limit is reached, the same task can continue in Claude. Claude can load the saved checkpoint and compare battery life, portability, and display quality without receiving the full ChatGPT conversation. Grok can later load the same context to check recent product information or provide another comparison.
Saved context can be loaded with a short request. The following prompt shows the pattern.
Load the latest Memside checkpoint for the laptop comparison and continue from the saved shortlist.
This workflow also suits travel planning, learning notes, household purchases, job research, personal writing, and small side projects. The strongest results come from saving the information that should survive the switch rather than every temporary message.
Save the right context
A useful checkpoint should explain the goal, the current position, important decisions, constraints, and the next step. Facts can store stable details, while Subjects can keep related memories organized around a project, topic, product, or person.
Operating rules are helpful for preferences that should remain consistent across services. Examples include using simple English, keeping answers concise, showing sources for research, or asking before changing an agreed plan.
Saving selected context also reduces unnecessary retrieval. A new AI service can load a compact checkpoint and a few relevant facts instead of processing a long transcript filled with abandoned ideas and repeated instructions.
Understand the free usage limits
Memside does not increase, reset, or bypass the usage limit of ChatGPT, Claude, or Grok. Each AI service controls its own free quota, rate limits, model access, and regional availability.
The benefit comes from continuity. Several free AI services can be used within their normal limits, while Memside keeps approved context available between them. Less time is spent rebuilding the task whenever a different service is opened.
Free plan features and interface labels can change. Connection instructions should be checked against the current settings shown by each service, especially when an expected connector or Developer mode option is missing.
A practical free AI setup
ChatGPT, Claude, Grok, and Memside can form a useful free setup for casual AI work. Each AI service remains separate, while Memside carries the selected facts, rules, decisions, and checkpoints that need to continue.
Starting with one real task is usually enough. Connecting the three services, saving one concise checkpoint, and testing retrieval from another service demonstrates the full workflow without requiring a paid AI subscription.