How People Actually Use AI: Cross-Model Data from Magicdoor

Historical snapshot (July 2026). Model counts, prices and availability below describe the period of this usage analysis, not the current Magicdoor picker. Gemini Flash and MiniMax M3 were subsequently retired from new selection; consult the live model directory and current cost guide before choosing a model. The conversion figures are correlations from the original cohort, not forecasts.

Most AI platforms lock you into one model family. We don't. Magicdoor gives every user access to 14 chat models and 8 active image models across 5 providers — and we've been watching what happens when people can freely switch between them.

The short version: people who try multiple models stick around. And the patterns in how they switch reveal something important about what AI is actually good for.

Key Findings at a Glance

Finding 1: Multi-Model Users Convert at 73%

This is the most striking pattern in our data. Users who try 5 or more different models convert to paid subscribers at a rate of 73%.

What's happening is intuitive once you see it: trying multiple models means the user has found enough value to experiment. They've likely discovered that Claude writes better, GPT handles certain tasks faster, and search-capable models help with current information — and that combination is worth paying for.

Caveat: Correlation is not causation. Users who try many models are likely more engaged to begin with. But the pattern is consistent and directionally clear: exploration correlates strongly with retention.

Finding 2: 60% Never Start

Here's the uncomfortable number: 60% of people who sign up never send a single message.

This isn't unique to Magicdoor — it's a common pattern across AI tools. But it highlights the gap between interest in AI and actual adoption. People sign up out of curiosity, then hit a blank text box and don't know what to ask.

The contrast with Finding 1 is stark. The users who do engage — and especially those who explore multiple models — convert at high rates. The challenge isn't the product; it's getting people past that first prompt.

This is why we've invested in custom assistants and multi-model workflow guides to reduce the blank-page problem.

Finding 3: The Price Gap Creates a Natural Optimization Opportunity

One reason multi-model access matters: the cost differences between models are enormous. Using the right model for each task can cut costs dramatically without sacrificing quality.

Here's the full pricing breakdown across all 14 chat models:

The cheapest model (DeepSeek V4 Flash 0731 at $0.14/$0.28) is more than 71x cheaper on input and more than 178x cheaper on output than the highest base-rate options (GPT-6 Astra and Claude Fable 5.1 at $10/$50). These models were listed together at the time of this historical cohort; retired entries are not currently selectable.

A user who defaults to a premium model for everything will spend far more than one who uses budget models for routine questions and escalates only when needed. For practical tips, see our guide to saving money on AI.

Finding 4: Image Generation Is an Activation Lever

37% of users who try image generation convert to paid — making it the second-strongest activation signal after multi-model exploration.

This makes sense. Image generation is tangible: you get a visible result immediately, and the quality difference between models is obvious. It's also something many users haven't tried before, so it carries a novelty factor that text chat doesn't.

Magicdoor offers 8 active image models with significant price and capability variation:

For a full comparison, see our image generation guide.

Finding 5: No Single Provider Dominates

When users have access to every major model, they don't pick one and ignore the rest. Usage spreads across providers, with different models filling different roles:

* Grok 4.7 pricing shown here applies below 200K prompt tokens. At 200K prompt tokens or more, it costs $4 per 1M input tokens and $12 per 1M output tokens; cached input is $0.50 below 200K and $1 at 200K or more.

This distribution supports the core thesis: different models are genuinely better at different things. A locked-in subscription to any single provider means missing capabilities that another provider handles better. For detailed model-by-task recommendations, see our model selection guide.

What This Means for Choosing an AI Tool

The data points to a simple conclusion: the most valuable AI setup is one that gives you access to multiple models.

Here's the cost math:

Most Magicdoor users spend $8–10/month total — less than half the cost of a single provider subscription — and get access to every model across 5 providers. Full breakdown: usage-based pricing.

The data suggests this isn't just cheaper — it's better. Users who explore multiple models find more value, convert at higher rates, and stick around longer.

Methodology and Limitations

Data sources. The activation metrics in this report (conversion rates by model count and feature usage) are derived from internal analytics across our user base. Model pricing and availability are pulled directly from our production model registry and are independently verifiable on our pricing page.

What this does not show. These are aggregate correlations, not controlled experiments. We cannot conclude that trying more models causes higher conversion — it's plausible that more engaged users both try more models and are more likely to subscribe. Sample sizes and exact time periods are not disclosed to protect user privacy.

What we can verify. Model pricing, model count (14 chat, 7 active image), and provider count (5) are directly verifiable from our production systems. The activation patterns are directionally consistent across multiple measurement periods.

Planned follow-ups. We intend to publish more granular data in future reports, including:

• Which specific models users try first, second, and third
• How model preferences shift over time for individual users
• Task-level switching patterns (e.g., users who start with chat and discover image generation)
• Cohort analysis comparing single-model vs. multi-model users over 90 days

FAQs

What is this report based on?

This report combines internal activation metrics from Magicdoor's user base with pricing and model data from our production systems. Activation metrics are aggregate patterns — individual user data is not disclosed.

Is 73% conversion real?

Yes — 73% of users who try 5 or more models on Magicdoor convert to paid subscribers. However, this is a correlation: more curious users may be predisposed to both explore and subscribe. We note this caveat explicitly in the methodology section.

How many models does Magicdoor offer?

14 chat models across 5 providers (OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, xAI, and Together AI) and 8 active image models. See the live lineup on our models page.

How much does Magicdoor cost?

$6/month base subscription, which includes $1 in usage credits. Most users spend $8–10/month total with pay-as-you-go pricing. Full details: usage-based pricing.

Where can I learn more about multi-model workflows?

See our practical guide to using multiple AI models, 10 multi-model workflow examples, and the Claude vs ChatGPT comparison for task-specific recommendations.

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Ready to see why multi-model users don't go back? Try Magicdoor — 14 chat models, 8 active image models, one interface. Starting at $6/month.