Tool profile
Gemini: what it is, what it costs, where it breaks
Gemini is a family of AI models and a chat assistant made by Google that answers questions, generates images and video, researches topics and works inside Gmail, Docs and Android, offered as a free app, Google AI subscriptions and Workspace add-ons.
What to know first
Gemini is sold through Google AI subscriptions that bundle the assistant with cloud storage and creative tools. On the Dutch listing in October 2026, paid plans run from 4.99 euros for Google AI Plus to 21.99 euros for AI Pro and from 99.99 euros for Ultra, all billed monthly. Buyers should note that limits are compute-based with a weekly ceiling, and that consumer activity is kept for 18 months unless changed.
Gemini at a glance
| Maker | Google, United States |
|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes |
| Entry price | 4.99 euros per month (Google AI Plus, Netherlands listing) |
| API access | Yes |
| Category | Best AI Chat Assistants in 2026, rank 3 of 9 |
| Website | gemini.google.com |
Who Gemini is best for
Gmail, Docs and Android users
Paid plans put the assistant inside Gmail, Docs and Vids, and the AI Pro tier adds 5 TB of storage, so the assistant arrives with the account people already use.
People who want a capable free tier
The free app includes image generation and editing, Deep Research, Gemini Live, Canvas and Gems, which covers more than most vendors give away.
Workspace admins
Google states that Workspace does not use customer data to train models without permission, and lists SOC, ISO 27001 and 42001 certifications for the Gemini app.
Gemini plans and pricing
| Plan | Price | What it includes |
|---|---|---|
| Free | 0 euros | Gemini app with image generation and editing, Deep Research, Gemini Live, Canvas, Gems, limited Flow access and 15 GB storage with a Google account. |
| Google AI Plus | 4.99 euros per month | Twice the Free usage limits, access to stronger models, video generation, 200 Flow credits, Gemini in Gmail and Vids, and 400 GB storage. |
| Google AI Pro | 21.99 euros per month | Four times Free usage limits, 1,000 Flow credits, Gemini in Gmail, Docs and Vids, higher agent limits and 5 TB of storage. |
| Google AI Ultra | From 99.99 euros per month | Up to 20x Pro limits at the 219.99 euro tier, early access to Deep Think, the highest Flow credits and 20 TB of storage. |
Prices as of October 2026; vendors change plans often, so confirm on the vendor's pricing page.
What Gemini does
- Gemini Live
- Gemini Live lets you hold a spoken conversation with the assistant, and it is included on the free plan, so voice use does not require a subscription.
- Deep Research
- Deep Research produces longer, multi-step reports from web sources and is part of the free tier, with higher allowances as you move up the paid ladder.
- Workspace integration
- Paid plans bring the assistant into Gmail, Docs and Vids, so summarizing a thread or drafting a document happens inside the application where the content sits.
- Bundled storage
- Each paid tier adds cloud storage, from 400 GB on AI Plus to 20 TB on Ultra, which can offset the price if you would pay for storage anyway.
How Gemini handles your data
With Keep Activity on, Google uses activity to develop and improve its services, including training generative AI models. Activity auto-deletes after 18 months by default, adjustable to 3 or 36 months. A subset of chats is reviewed by humans, disconnected from your account and kept up to three years. With Keep Activity off, chats are not used for training but are stored for 72 hours. For Workspace, Google states customer data is not used for training without prior permission, and Gemini in Workspace regional controls are not described.
Where Gemini falls short in practice
- Compute-based usage limits. Gemini app limits reset every five hours until you reach a weekly limit, and the number of prompts is not fixed. You can buy AI credits to raise the limit.
- Features vary by region and plan. Google notes that some features vary by plan, platform and region, and some early-access features such as Deep Think and Gemini Spark are limited to certain countries.
- Human review of consumer chats. A subset of consumer chats is read by reviewers and retained for up to three years after being disconnected from your account. Deleting activity does not remove chats already processed.
Works with
Alternatives to Gemini
Gemini: common questions
How much does Gemini cost in 2026?
As of October 2026 the Dutch listing shows Free at 0 euros, Google AI Plus at 4.99 euros, Google AI Pro at 21.99 euros and Google AI Ultra from 99.99 euros per month, all billed monthly. Prices differ by country, and paid plans bundle storage from 400 GB to 20 TB.
Does Google use my Gemini chats to train its models?
When Keep Activity is on, Google says it uses your activity to develop its services, including training generative AI models. When it is off, future chats are not used for training unless you send feedback, but they are stored for 72 hours. Workspace content is not used for training without permission.
How long does Gemini keep my activity?
Gemini Apps activity auto-deletes after 18 months by default, and you can change that to 3 or 36 months or turn auto-delete off. Chats that human reviewers have already processed are kept disconnected from your account for up to three years and are not removed when you delete your activity.
Is Gemini free to use?
Yes. The free plan needs only a Google account and includes image generation and editing, Deep Research, Gemini Live, Canvas, Gems and 15 GB of storage, with lower usage limits than paid plans. Paid tiers raise limits two to twenty times and add storage and integrations in Gmail and Docs.
What is the difference between Google AI Pro and Ultra?
AI Pro is 21.99 euros per month with four times Free usage limits and 5 TB of storage. Ultra starts at 99.99 euros for 5x Pro limits, with a 219.99 euro tier at 20x, early access to Deep Think, higher Flow credits and 20 TB of storage. Ultra suits heavy video and agent users.