Podbit · God Mode Podcast
DeepSeek's API was so cheap it literally didn't register on a token-cost comparison chart. Then, mid-episode, news broke of significant DeepSeek price hikes. Even the cheapest open-source alternative is now joining the move toward monetisation.
Where this was said
At 15:00 · chapter starts 13:16
The conversation sharpens into token efficiency. The viral report measures token value per dollar of subscription, but Rik flips the frame: what matters for anyone not on a capped plan is how many tokens each model burns per task. Opus 5 can consume close to 100 million tokens where Terra completes the same work in around 1.5 million — a difference approaching 65 to 100 times. Ben contextualises how enterprises are justifying this by comparing it to headcount savings; a $20,000-per-employee AI bill can beat a 20% staffing increase. But both hosts agree: they would never want to pay Anthropic's API rates for Opus at scale. The subsidy is the only reason the current arrangement works for small builders.
Opus 5 can spend nearly 100 million tokens on a task where a cheaper model like Terra uses only 1.5 million, a ~65x difference in token consumption.
Sam had no coding knowledge, so he used ChatGPT voice mode to generate his entire codebase and copy-pasted it into Notepad. A friend later introduced him to Cursor, and he never looked back.
Copy days of Discord chat history, paste it into ChatGPT, and ask it to list recurring pain points. The ones that come up most often are your best product bets.
Sam's top advice: when prompting Cursor, tell it to architect code for 100,000 users from day one. The AI changes its approach, building scalable frameworks instead of brittle one-user code.
With AI coding tools like Cursor, Bhanu replicates an existing free tool for a new keyword in under 5 minutes. What used to be a multi-day build is now a lunch-break task.
Ahrefs, SiteGPT, Cal.com, PostHog, Datafast, Sibyl AI, Bento, Feather, Featurepace, Mintlify, Cloud Code, ChartMogul — Bhanu runs his entire business solo with these 12 tools.
PropGPT runs on React Native with TypeScript and Python for ML, Neon for the database, RevenueCat and Superwall for monetization. LLM costs are $20/month, data APIs $100/month, and after $10K in monthly marketing spend, margins sit at roughly 50%.
Game apps keep users engaged long enough for ads to pay off. Tool apps don't — so if you're building a utility, ads are almost always the wrong call and subscriptions are your only real lever.
Inside SEO Bot, a single button labelled 'Boost My Domain Rating' routes users directly to Listing Bot. That one interaction converts a user of one tool into a user of two — without any marketing cost.
Directory listings are a powerful but underrated growth channel — but only if your product is genuinely interesting enough to earn the click. AI products have a natural advantage here because they're easy to package in a compelling, clickable way.
We use essential and analytics cookies to run Vuci. To understand how the site is used: Privacy Policy.
Install Vuci on your phone
Add it to your home screen for a faster, app-like experience.
Install Vuci on your phone
Tap the Share button, then “Add to Home Screen”.
A new version is available
Reload to get the latest Vuci.