Gemini suits people who work in Google's apps: its free plan comes with a Google Account, 15 GB of storage, Deep Research and image tools, and higher plans add Gemini in Gmail and Docs. Grok suits people who want answers drawn from the web and X in real time, with images and short videos made in the same thread. If your work runs on Google, start with Gemini; if it runs on X, start with Grok.
Grok and Gemini answer questions, write, research and make images, so the choice comes down to where they plug in. I read xAI's Grok page, Google's Gemini plans page and its help article on usage limits, and the Cursor plans page that now carries Grok's plans too.
Grok and Gemini side by side
| Grok | Gemini | |
|---|---|---|
| Free option | Free to try on web and apps; no plan named on xAI's page | Yes, Free with a Google Account |
| Live sources | Searches the web and X live | Deep Research on Free |
| Video | Text-to-video up to 15 seconds at 720p | From Google AI Plus |
| Storage included | Not covered on the pages I read | 15 GB on Free, 5 TB on Google AI Pro |
| Usage limits | Higher limits on SuperGrok | Refresh every 5 hours, up to a weekly limit |
| Reasoning extras | Multi-agent mode on SuperGrok | Gemini 4 Argon on Google AI Pro |
| Works inside | Web, iOS, Android and X | Gemini app; Gmail, Docs and Chrome on higher plans |
Grok: tied to X and the live web
xAI describes Grok as AI that's useful for everyone, on the web, iOS and Android. It searches the web and X live, so answers reflect what's happening now, and it cites its sources. Imagine makes images up to 2K and videos up to 15 seconds from a prompt or a reference photo, and voice mode handles natural back-and-forth.
Multi-agent mode sends several agents at a hard question in parallel, each showing its reasoning, then merges one cited answer. The page says Grok is free to try on the web and in the apps, with SuperGrok for higher limits and multi-agent reasoning. You sign in with your X or email account.
Gemini: tied to your Google account
Google's Free plan comes with a Google Account and includes the Gemini app with the Flash-Lite model, image generation and editing, Deep Research, Gemini Live, Canvas, Gems and Gemini Notebook, plus 15 GB of storage across Gmail, Drive and Photos. Google AI Plus adds video generation, Daily Brief and 400 GB of storage.
Google AI Pro brings Gemini 4 Argon and the Pro model, the Jules coding agent, Gemini in Gmail and Docs, Chrome auto browse, YouTube Premium Lite and 5 TB of storage. Ultra raises limits again and adds Project Genie.
Two details buried in the small print
First, Gemini's limits aren't a simple daily count. Google's help centre says your usage limit refreshes every 5 hours until you reach a weekly limit, and it depends on how complex your prompts are and which models you use. In the UK and EEA you need to be 18 or over to use Gemini with a Google AI plan.
Second, Grok's plans now live alongside Cursor and X. Cursor's plans page lists Grok Chat and Imagine on its free tier and shares one usage pool across Cursor and Grok on the higher tiers, with X perks such as a premium checkmark included.
Which person each assistant suits
Grok suits marketers, journalists and creators who follow news and trends on X and want answers with live posts behind them. Gemini suits small businesses running on Gmail, Drive and Docs that want AI inside the tools they already open every day. For more on each, read what Grok 4 is and how to use Gemini Live.
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My advice on Grok or Gemini
Look at where your working day happens. If it's in Gmail and Google Docs, start with Gemini's Free plan and see how far the 5-hour refresh carries you before you think about upgrading. If your research starts on X, try Grok free on the web and ask it about a trend in your industry, then check the posts it cites. Keep whichever one you find yourself opening without thinking.
Do you make AI assistants? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place in comparisons like this one.
Frequently asked questions
Is Gemini free?
Yes. Google lists a Free plan with a Google Account, including the Gemini app, Deep Research, image generation and 15 GB of storage.
Is Grok free?
xAI's page says Grok is free to try on the web and in the apps, with SuperGrok for higher limits and multi-agent reasoning.
Does Grok search X?
Yes. xAI says Grok searches the web and X live, with real-time X integration for breaking news and trends.
How often do Gemini limits reset?
Google's help centre says your limit refreshes every 5 hours until you reach your weekly limit.
Can Grok make videos?
Yes. xAI lists text-to-video up to 15 seconds at 720p through Grok Imagine.
