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Day One StackBuild my stack
29 tools we actually teach with

Honest picks, including the bits they leave off the homepage

Every tool says who it suits, whether there's a free plan, and what to watch out for.

Some links are affiliate links. If you buy, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend tools we'd use. Sponsors can't buy a place in these picks.

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Hosting and site builders

7 TOOLS · LEVELS 0, 1, 3, 4, 7

Hostinger

Hosting and site builder
Our start-here pick

Low-cost hosting with a drag-and-drop and AI site builder.

Suits: a first site on a small budget.

Watch out: the low price is for your first term. Renewals cost more, so pick a longer first term.

L0 · L1 · L3 · L4 · L7

SiteGround

Managed WordPress hosting

Managed WordPress hosting known for its support.

Suits: a WordPress site you'd rather not babysit.

Watch out: also much cheaper in the first term than on renewal.

L1 · L3

Cloudways

Managed cloud hosting

Cloud servers that someone else keeps running for you.

Suits: sites that have outgrown cheap shared hosting.

Watch out: overkill for a first site. You pay per server, not per site.

L1 · L3 · L7

Email and newsletters

4 TOOLS · LEVELS 0, 1, 3, 5

MailerLite

Newsletters and signup forms

Newsletters, signup forms and simple automations.

Suits: your first email list.

Watch out: the free plan caps subscribers and some features.

Free planL1 · L3 · L5

Kit

Email for creators

An email platform built around creators.

Suits: creators who sell to their newsletter.

Watch out: gets pricier as your list grows.

Free planL5

Proton Mail

Private email

Encrypted email for you and your business.

Suits: a private, branded inbox.

Watch out: your own domain needs a paid plan.

Free planL0 · L1 · L5

Passwords and security

2 TOOLS · LEVELS 0, 1, 7

NordPass

Password manager

A password manager with secure sharing.

Suits: moving off passwords saved in your browser.

Watch out: the free plan stays signed in on one device at a time.

Free planL0 · L1 · L7

Proton Pass

Password manager

A password manager with built-in email aliases.

Suits: keeping signups away from your main inbox.

Watch out: the free plan limits how many aliases you get.

Free planL0 · L1 · L7

Design and branding

3 TOOLS · LEVELS 2, 6

Canva

Design tool

Design tool for logos, social posts and brand kits.

Suits: your logo, colours and profile images.

Watch out: the background remover and some brand-kit tools need Pro.

Free planL2
Visit Canva ↗No affiliate link. We just use it.

Higgsfield

AI images and video

AI image and short video generation.

Suits: on-brand visuals and short clips.

Watch out: label anything AI-made before you post it (Lesson 2.5).

L2 · L6

Runway

AI video

AI video generation and editing.

Suits: short AI video for social posts.

Watch out: credits go fast on longer clips.

L2 · L6
Visit Runway ↗No affiliate link. We just use it.

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