Gemini: Google's AI assistant, free or with a Google AI plan
Gemini is Google's AI assistant, available on the web, Android and iPhone, and built into Gmail, Docs and Drive on paid plans. The free version is already generous; Google AI plans add stronger models, more usage and extra storage.
Data as of October 22, 2026
Key figures
| Developer | |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Launched | March 2023 |
| Free version | Yes, limited |
| Plans | from €4.99 per month |
| Official website | gemini.google.com |
Features
| Features | |
|---|---|
| Web search | Yes |
| Agent mode | Not disclosed |
| File upload | Yes |
| Image generation | Yes |
| Voice mode | Yes |
| Memory | Yes |
| Code execution | Not disclosed |
| Autonomous browsing | Not disclosed |
Where to use it
| Where to use it | |
|---|---|
| Web | Yes |
| iPhone | Yes |
| Android | Yes |
| Windows | Not disclosed |
| macOS | Not disclosed |
| Browser extension | Not disclosed |
| French interface | Yes |
| Spanish interface | Yes |
Privacy
| Privacy | |
|---|---|
| Opt out of training on your chats | Yes |
| Temporary chat | Yes |
| EU data residency | Not disclosed |
From Bard to Gemini
Google launched its assistant in March 2023 as Bard, then renamed it Gemini after its family of models. Gemini is built by Google and works as a multimodal AI: it understands text, images, voice and documents. Its main strength is integration. On paid plans it works directly inside Gmail, Docs and Vids, and it draws on Google Search to answer.
Four levels of access
Google’s official subscriptions page, checked on October 22, 2026 (French pricing, in euros), lists:
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Free | €0 | Flash-Lite model, images, Deep Research, Gemini Live, 15 GB |
| Google AI Plus | €4.99 a month | Flash model, 2x limits, Gemini in Gmail, 400 GB |
| Google AI Pro | €21.99 a month | Gemini 4 Argon and Pro model, 4x limits, 5 TB |
| Google AI Ultra | from €99.99 a month | Highest access, up to 20x AI Pro limits |
In practice, the free version is enough to ask questions, summarize a page or try AI image generation. AI Plus mostly appeals to people running out of Google storage. AI Pro is worth it if you want the most capable models and Gemini inside your documents. Plans also bundle non-AI perks (storage, YouTube Premium Lite with AI Pro), so factor those in when comparing.
What Google does with your chats
By default, Gemini activity is kept for 18 months, and some conversations may be reviewed by trained people after being disconnected from your account. To opt out of training, turn off “Keep Activity”: chats are then held for 72 hours and not used to improve the models. Temporary Chats don’t show up in your history and aren’t used for personalization or training. Google also advises against entering confidential information.
Limits to keep in mind
Gemini can get things wrong or hallucinate, even when it cites sources. Exact usage limits aren’t all spelled out on the subscriptions page, and the offer varies by country. To weigh it against ChatGPT or Claude on the same criteria, use the AI assistants comparison, or take the which AI quiz if you’re just starting out.
Models used
Strengths
searching with sources · creating images · teamwork
Comparisons
AI assistants
Frequently asked questions
Is Gemini free?
Yes, with a Google account. As of October 22, 2026, the free version includes the Flash-Lite model, image creation and editing, Deep Research, Gemini Live, Canvas and Gems, with usage limits, plus 15 GB of Google storage.
How much do Google AI plans cost?
On the French version of Google's page, AI Plus is €4.99 a month, AI Pro €21.99 and AI Ultra from €99.99 (€219.99 for the top tier). Prices differ by country, so check the subscriptions page in your region. Each plan also includes shared cloud storage.
How do I stop Google from using my Gemini chats?
Turn off “Keep Activity” in Gemini Apps Activity. Your chats are then kept for 72 hours to respond to you and are not used to improve Google's models unless you send feedback. Temporary Chats follow the same rule.
Which plan includes Gemini 4 Argon?
According to Google's subscriptions page, Gemini 4 Argon comes with Google AI Pro and Google AI Ultra, with Ultra getting the highest access. The free tier and AI Plus rely on the Flash-Lite and Flash models.
Data sources
Data as of October 22, 2026
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