Usage Context:

I purchased the TIER 4 level of Genius.AI through AppSumo, only to discover a major deception in the pricing structure.

Major Critical Points:

Deceptive Business Model:

The software is UNUSABLE without paying an additional $120 per year for "Copilot" - the core engine of Genius.AI

This mandatory fee for the essential engine component is not disclosed during the initial purchase

Without paying for "Copilot," you essentially bought a shell of a product that cannot function

Customer support is nonexistent unless you pay this additional subscription

A clear case of bait-and-switch pricing strategy: sell the shell, hide the engine behind a paywall

Personal Context:

After 51 successful purchases and nearly 3 years of positive experiences on AppSumo, this is the first time I've ever requested a refund. This fact alone speaks volumes about how problematic Genius.AI is, even by the most lenient standards.

Time-Consuming Setup:

5 hours wasted in an excessive configuration process

Dozens of redundant questions instead of a simple presentation file

Unnecessarily complex onboarding that drains user resources

Localization Issues:

Interface accepts French input

But videos are generated only in English, creating a major inconsistency

Terrible French voice-over quality when it finally works

Poor Technical Performance:

Excessive generation time for one minute of video

Image quality far inferior to competitors

Disappointing visual results across the board

Conclusion:

Genius.AI represents one of the worst investments possible on AppSumo. The product not only suffers from technical inadequacies but employs deceptive pricing practices by requiring additional payment for basic functionality after purchase. The combination of hidden mandatory fees, poor localization, and subpar performance makes this tool completely unsuitable for any professional use.

Recommendation:

AVOID AT ALL COSTS. This is potentially the worst purchase you can make on AppSumo, with many better alternatives available here on AppSumo that don't employ such deceptive practices.