ChatGPT vs Gemini
A side-by-side look at pricing plans, free tiers, features, pros and cons, updated for 2026. Gemini has the lower starting price: about $5 a month, against $8 for ChatGPT.
At a glance
Best for
Category
Pricing model
Starting price
Free plan
Made by
Based in
Rating
Key features
- Voice conversations
- File and image analysis
- Web search with sources
- Deep research
- Custom GPTs
- Projects and memory
- Gemini Live voice and camera
- Deep Research reports
- Canvas editor
- Gmail and Drive integration
- Image and video generation
| Feature | ChatGPT | Gemini |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | OpenAI's general assistant for writing, research, coding and images | Google's assistant connected to Search, Gmail, Docs and Android |
| Category | Chat assistants | Chat assistants |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Starting price | $8/mo | $4.99/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Made by | OpenAI | |
| Based in | United States | United States |
| Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Key features |
|
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Pricing compared
Gemini has the lower starting price: about $5 a month, against $8 for ChatGPT.
Free plan
Cheapest paid plan
Top plan
Free trial
6 plans
Free
Free
- Access to GPT models with limits
- Limited file uploads and image generation
Go
$8/mo
- Higher message and upload limits
- More image generation
- Longer memory
Plus
$20/mo
- Advanced reasoning models
- Deep research and agent mode
- Codex access
Pro
$100/mo
- Starting price; $200 and $500 tiers
- Highest usage limits
- Pro reasoning model
Business
$25/mo
- Per user, 2-seat minimum
- Shared workspace and admin controls
- No training on your data
Enterprise
Contact sales
- Enterprise security and SSO
- Expanded context and limits
- Dedicated support
4 plans
Free
Free
- Gemini app access
- Standard usage limits
Google AI Plus
$4.99/mo
- 2x higher usage than Free
- Video generation
Google AI Pro
$19.99/mo
- Higher limits on top models
- Deep Research
- 2TB storage
Google AI Ultra
$99.99/mo
- Starting price
- Highest usage limits
- Early access to new features
Prices in USD, checked Oct 28, 2026 or later. Plans change often, so confirm on each tool's site before you buy.
Pros and cons
ChatGPT
- Handles a very wide range of tasks
- Strong voice mode on mobile
- Large ecosystem of custom GPTs
- Best models and limits sit on paid plans
- Free and Go tiers show ads
- Can state wrong facts confidently
Gemini
- Tight link with Google apps
- Generous free tier
- Strong multimodal input
- Best features need a Google AI plan
- Workspace data use may worry some teams
- Feature set differs by country
Which one should you choose?
Choose ChatGPT if you want:
- Handles a very wide range of tasks
- Strong voice mode on mobile
- Large ecosystem of custom GPTs
Watch out: best models and limits sit on paid plans.
Choose Gemini if you want:
- Tight link with Google apps
- Generous free tier
- Strong multimodal input
Watch out: best features need a google ai plan.
ChatGPT vs Gemini FAQ
What is the difference between ChatGPT and Gemini?
ChatGPT: OpenAI's general assistant for writing, research, coding and images. Gemini: Google's assistant connected to Search, Gmail, Docs and Android. Both are chat assistants tools.
Is ChatGPT or Gemini cheaper?
Gemini has the lower starting price: about $5 a month, against $8 for ChatGPT.
Do ChatGPT and Gemini have free plans?
ChatGPT: Yes. Gemini: Yes.
Who makes ChatGPT?
ChatGPT is made by OpenAI, based in United States.
Who makes Gemini?
Gemini is made by Google, based in United States.
Which should I choose, ChatGPT or Gemini?
Choose ChatGPT if you value handles a very wide range of tasks and strong voice mode on mobile. Choose Gemini if you value tight link with google apps and generous free tier.