“Free tier” can mean Gemini works all day without reaching a limit, while Claude locks after a few rounds. The same monthly price can also buy very different capabilities. This guide compares Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, Grok, and Perplexity from free access through API pricing, then recommends options by use case. Prices follow official pages and are shown in USD.
Free-tier comparison
| Model | What you can use for free | Quota | Biggest limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Claude | Sonnet + Haiku | Medium; locks after the message limit | Flagship models and Claude Code require payment |
| ChatGPT | Primary model, unlimited text | Generous | Images and advanced tools have limits |
| Gemini | Flash + image generation + Deep Research + Gemini Live | Very generous | Flagship models and video generation require payment |
| Grok | Depends on X account plan | Variable | Without an X account, there is effectively no free tier |
| Perplexity | Unlimited basic search + limited Pro Search | Sufficient | Deep Research requires Pro |
Gemini offers the widest range of free features: the primary Flash model, Nano Banana 2 image generation, Gemini Live voice, and Deep Research. ChatGPT offers unlimited text conversations, but limits images and tools. Claude has the highest quality but the tightest quota. Perplexity is the best starting point for research because its basic search is strong.
A zero-cost stack: ChatGPT for everyday text, Gemini for visuals, Perplexity for search, and Claude’s limited quota for high-quality writing. That covers about 80% of everyday needs.
Paid-tier comparison
| Category | Claude Pro/Max | ChatGPT Go/Plus/Pro | Google AI Plus/Pro/Ultra | Grok / SuperGrok | Perplexity Pro |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly price | US$20 / Max US$100+ | Go US$8; Plus US$20; Pro US$100–200 | US$4.99 / US$19.99 / US$99.99–199.99 | US$30 / US$300 | See checkout page |
| Flagship model | Fable + Opus | Astra (Pro only) | Flagship Flash + Jules | Grok 4.5 | Search integration |
| Images | None | Yes | Yes (Nano Banana 2) | Yes | None |
| Extras | Claude Code, Research | GPTs, Codex, Deep Research | Workspace integration, video generation, Flow credits | X integration | File analysis, Deep Research |
Claude: flagship models justify the subscription
Opus breaks down assumptions and analyzes problems from multiple angles where Sonnet may simply provide a reasonable answer. Fable is the new flagship for reasoning and writing. Pro costs US$20/month, or US$17/month with annual billing, and includes Opus and Fable; Max starts at US$100 for higher limits. See Claude Opus vs Sonnet for details.
ChatGPT: everything in one plan
Go costs US$8/month with ads and suits occasional users who reach the free limit. Plus costs US$20/month and includes search, images, voice, data analysis, and GPTs. The flagship Astra model is available only with Pro. ChatGPT Plus is not the leader in every individual category, but it is the only option that does nearly everything. See Claude vs ChatGPT and Gemini vs ChatGPT.
Gemini: the cheapest paid entry
AI Plus costs US$4.99/month, the lowest entry price of the five, and includes video generation, Flow credits, and 400 GB of storage. AI Pro costs US$19.99/month and adds flagship Flash access, the Jules coding assistant, and 5 TB. For people who already need Google One, AI Plus can feel like an almost-free AI upgrade. Its disadvantage is a less complete Chinese experience than ChatGPT. See Gemini Free vs Google AI Pro.
Perplexity Pro: built for verification
Perplexity does not compete on chat quality. Its value is search depth and source credibility. Pro substantially increases query limits and adds file analysis and deeper multi-source research. See Perplexity vs ChatGPT.
API pricing
APIs charge by token, and prices change frequently. Check the latest platform pages for exact figures. Output tokens typically cost three to five times as much as input tokens.
| Platform | Representative model | Input / output per 1M tokens | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Claude | Fable | US$10 / US$50 | Sonnet and Haiku cost less; prompt caching available |
| OpenAI | Sol | US$5 / US$30 | Luna US$0.20 / US$1.20; Astra priced separately; batch API available |
| Gemini | Flash | US$1.50 / US$7.50 | Generous free quota; small personal projects may cost nothing |
| Grok | Grok 4.5 | US$2 / US$6 | The entire request doubles in price above 200K context |
The first rule: set a hard limit on every API key. A buggy pipeline can repeat the same call hundreds of times and create a large bill. Use batch processing to lower costs when the workflow does not require an immediate response.
Best value by use case
- Students and light users: ChatGPT + Gemini + Perplexity free tiers, at zero cost. See the Gemini student plan guide for student offers.
- Content creators: Claude Pro for text + ChatGPT Plus for images. If the budget covers only one, choose ChatGPT and use Claude’s free quota for writing.
- Developers: Claude Max for architecture and code review + ChatGPT Plus or Pro for Codex execution.
- Heavy users: Claude Max + ChatGPT Pro + Google AI Pro + Perplexity Pro + Grok. When the tools save billable time, the return is often positive.
If only one can remain, choose Claude Max. Its writing and coding advantages are the hardest to replace; Gemini Free can cover images and Perplexity Free can cover search.
Penchan’s experience
I subscribe to all five: Claude Max, ChatGPT Pro, Google AI Pro, Perplexity Pro, and Grok. Claude handles long-form and multi-agent work, ChatGPT handles ideation and programming, Gemini creates visuals, Perplexity verifies facts, and Grok tracks real-time information. If I could keep only one, it would be Claude Max because the largest gaps are in writing and programming, while the other functions have free substitutes.
USD figures are official list prices. Actual prices and features are subject to each platform’s latest announcements and regional checkout pages. This consumer comparison of AI subscriptions is not investment advice.