The 5 Paid Subscriptions I Actually Use in 2025 as a Staff Software Engineer

As a Staff Software Engineer, I’ve come to rely on certain tools and services that make my daily workflow smoother, more efficient, and help me stay on top of my work and learning. Over the years, I’ve tried a wide range of paid subscriptions, but only a few have consistently added value to my professional life. Here are the 5 paid subscriptions that I actually use in 2025:

1. GitHub Copilot

GitHub Copil

t has been a game-changer for me. It's like having a pair of intelligent coding assistants that help write code faster, suggest better solutions, and even assist with documentation. Powered by OpenAI's Codex, Copilot auto-completes entire lines of code, suggests refactors, and even generates boilerplate code for common tasks.

Why I Use It:

• Saves time by automatically completing repetitive code tasks.
• Helps me stay focused on problem-solving instead of syntax.
• Allows me to learn new APIs and libraries faster with suggestions.

I don’t think I’ll ever go back to coding without it. It’s available for a reasonable price with a great value proposition.

2. Notion

Notion is a powerful tool that helps me stay organized across multiple projects. As a Staff Engineer, I juggle many tasks, documents, and notes, and Notion helps me stay on top of all of them. I use it for everything from project management and meeting notes to documenting technical specifications and keeping track of bugs.

Why I Use It:

• Flexible and customizable workspace for any need.
• Collaborative features make it great for team documentation.
• Integrates with other tools like Google Calendar and GitHub.

Notion has drastically improved how I document, organize, and collaborate with my team.

3. JetBrains All Products Pack

As a software engineer, having the right IDE is crucial. JetBrains provides one of the most comprehensive suites of tools for developers, including IntelliJ IDEA, WebStorm, PyCharm, and RubyMine. The All Products Pack gives me access to all their IDEs, making it the ultimate toolset for my daily development work.

Why I Use It:

• Fast, feature-rich IDEs that boost productivity.
• Seamless integration with version control, build tools, and databases.
• Supports multiple languages and frameworks.

The intelligent code completion and advanced refactoring tools make my coding sessions much more productive.

4. Pluralsight

Continuous learning is critical in the ever-changing field of software engineering. Pluralsight is a subscription-based platform offering in-depth video courses on almost any tech topic imaginable. I use it to sharpen my skills in areas like cloud computing, machine learning, DevOps, and software architecture.

Why I Use It:

• High-quality video tutorials by industry experts.
• Wide variety of courses on trending technologies and frameworks.
• Learning paths for structured, step-by-step guidance.

The platform also provides certifications, which can help with career growth and visibility.

5. Figma

As a Staff Software Engineer, working closely with product teams and designers is part of the job. Figma has become my go-to tool for collaborating on user interface design. Whether it's creating prototypes, giving feedback, or reviewing designs, Figma allows me to work seamlessly with designers in real-time.

Why I Use It:

• Browser-based, so it's accessible from anywhere.
• Real-time collaboration with team members.
• Provides detailed design specs for implementation.

Figma has definitely helped me bridge the gap between design and development, leading to more efficient and cohesive product development.

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Conclusion

These five paid subscriptions have not only helped me stay productive but have also contributed to my professional growth. Each of them provides unique features that cater to specific needs in my work as a Staff Software Engineer.

Whether it’s coding faster with GitHub Copilot, staying organized with Notion, or learning new skills with Pluralsight, these tools enhance my ability to deliver high-quality software while improving my efficiency and productivity.

If you're an engineer or a developer looking to boost your skills and productivity, I highly recommend exploring these services.

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