Best for: Write
ChatGPT
The best-known AI chat assistant: ask anything, get a written answer.
Free plan is enough to start
Best for: Emails, essays, captions and cleaner writing.
Google Gemini
Google's AI assistant, free with any Google account.
Free plan is enough to startOpen Google Gemini ↗
What it is
Gemini is Google's chat assistant. It answers questions, drafts text, explains photos you upload, creates images and can run Deep Research reports. If you already use Gmail, you already have an account.
How to start in 5 minutes
- Open gemini.google.com and sign in with your Google account.
- Snap a photo of homework or a confusing bill and ask "Explain this simply".
- Try Deep Research: "Compare 3 budget phones under ₹20,000".
- Save useful prompts as a Gem for reuse.
Is the free plan enough?
Generous free tier, especially if you live in Google apps.
Free ($0 with a Google Account): Flash-Lite model, image generation and editing, Deep Research, Gemini Live, Canvas and Gems, plus 15 GB Google storage. Paid Google AI Plus/Pro/Ultra plans raise limits.
Source: Google Gemini's own pricing page, checked Nov 2026. Plans change; confirm before you pay.