Side-by-side comparison
Claude vs Google Gemini
Disclosure: some Visit links may be affiliate links, and we may earn a commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. This table is built from our directory records, not from a hands-on test. Always confirm current pricing with the provider.
Which should you choose?
Claude is recorded as an assistant for research, documents, coding and connected knowledge work. Gemini is recorded for everyday writing, planning and multimodal assistance with optional Google AI subscriptions. Both have a free way in and paid upgrades.
Choose Claude if…
- You want to iterate on a draft against context you supply.
- You want Artifacts, file creation, code execution or conversation memory.
- You want published paid prices to compare: Pro $20 a month or $200 a year, Max from $100 a month.
Choose Google Gemini if…
- You want everyday writing, planning and brainstorming with multimodal questions.
- You want to use it on web, iOS and Android and may add a Google AI subscription later.
Check before you pay: Claude's free usage is limited and Gemini's limits vary by country, account and eligibility. Run the same task on both before paying for either.
Based on our directory records reviewed 24 October 2026, not on a hands-on test. Confirm current plans with each provider.
Tip: on a small screen, swipe the table sideways.
| What matters | 🧠 Claude | ✨ Google Gemini |
|---|---|---|
| What it does | Anthropic's AI assistant for research, writing, code, files, and connected tasks, with free and paid plans. | Google's AI assistant for writing, planning, research and multimodal tasks. Free with a Google Account; paid Google AI plans start at $4.99 a month. |
| Best for | Research, documents, coding, and connected knowledge work | Everyday writing, planning, and multimodal assistance |
| Pricing model | Free plan + paid | Free plan + paid |
| Plans | Free: $0 Pro: US$20/month; or US$200/year Max: From US$100/month | Free: $0 Google AI Plus: US$4.99/month Google AI Pro: US$19.99/month Google AI Ultra: From US$99.99/month |
| Free-plan limits | Free usage is limited. Pro is $20/month or $200/year; Max starts at $100/month. Model, context, and task limits vary by plan. | Free is $0 with a Google Account. Since 9 October 2026 free users start on Auto, where most prompts use Flash-Lite and harder ones may go to Flash or Pro. Google publishes no number of free prompts: limits depend on prompt complexity, models, features and chat length, and refresh every 5 hours up to a weekly limit. Plus is listed at 2x Free usage ($4.99/month), Pro at 4x ($19.99/month) and Ultra from $99.99/month. Limits may change without notice. |
| Platforms | Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android | Web, iOS, Android |
| Key capabilities | Web search Artifacts File creation and code execution App connections Conversation memory | Writing assistance Planning and brainstorming Multimodal questions Google AI subscription upgrades |
| Strengths | Useful when you want to iterate on a draft against supplied context. | A real free plan with image generation and editing, Deep Research, Gemini Live, Canvas and Gems Conversational revisions let you state what should change next Paid plans bundle storage and Google app features, with clear multiples of the free usage |
| Limitations | Free usage is limited. Pro is $20/month or $200/year; Max starts at $100/month. Model, context, and task limits vary by plan. A polished reply still needs a policy check; fluent wording does not establish entitlement. Claude Cowork needs a paid plan, and Claude Duet is a US-only waitlisted preview for Pro and Max subscribers | Since 9 October 2026 free users mostly get the Flash-Lite model; harder prompts may go to Flash or Pro Google publishes no number of free prompts; limits are compute-based and can change without notice Image availability and controls depend on the current account; identity fidelity is not guaranteed |
| No signup required | Not verified | Not verified |
| No credit card required | Not verified | Not verified |
| Free trial | Not verified | Not verified |
| Details last reviewed | 2026-10-29 | 2026-10-29 |
| Official pricing / source | Check pricing | Check pricing |
| Next step |
Want a different mix? Build your own comparison.