Every major AI chatbot offers a free plan, but each provider describes its free limits, models and features in a different way, so it is hard to tell what a free account actually gets. This page lines up the free plans of seven consumer AI assistants using identical fields: the models named, how usage limits work, and whether deep research, image generation, voice, file uploads, memory and projects are included. It covers ChatGPT (OpenAI), Claude (Anthropic), Copilot (Microsoft), Gemini (Google), Grok (xAI), Le Chat (Mistral AI) and Perplexity. It is written for individuals choosing a free assistant, and for IT and security teams who need to know what staff can do with a personal free account. Providers are listed alphabetically by provider name; the order is never a ranking, and the page draws no verdicts.
Last checked: 2026-11-15.
This is an independent reference page from NHI Mgmt Group based on public provider documentation; it is not sponsored or endorsed by any provider. Free plans change often, so confirm against each provider's current plan page before relying on a limit.
Key takeaways
- Most free plans do not publish numbers. Of the seven providers checked, only Perplexity's help centre gives fixed free quotas (3 Pro Searches a day and 1 Research a month); the others describe free usage as limited without stating a figure.
- Limits reset on rolling windows. Anthropic and Google both describe free limits that refresh every 5 hours within a weekly limit; xAI says free limits on Chat and Voice reset on their own schedule.
- Free plans usually get smaller or faster models. Anthropic lists Sonnet and Haiku on Free (not Opus), Google lists a Flash-Lite model and Gemini 4 Hydrogen, and OpenAI's plan table lists GPT-6 Luna and GPT-5 Thinking Mini.
- Deep research on free plans varies. Google lists Deep Research on its free tier, OpenAI lists a limited allowance, Perplexity lists 1 a month, and Anthropic lists Research as paid only. See Deep Research Tools Compared.
- Free accounts are personal accounts. Free plans sit outside workplace administration, so organisations that allow AI use usually route staff to a managed business plan. See the Blocking Personal ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini Accounts at Work.
What counts as a free plan on this page?
A free plan here is a no-cost consumer tier that a person can sign up for without payment details, as listed on the provider's own pricing or plan page on 2026-11-15. Free trials of paid plans, education discounts and developer API free tiers are out of scope, although they are mentioned where the plan page lists them beside the free tier. Each fact comes from the provider page linked in Standards and references.
- Anthropic: the Free plan on claude.com/pricing, listed at $0.
- Google: the free tier on the Gemini subscriptions page, listed at $0 a month with a Google Account.
- Microsoft: the free Copilot app, which Microsoft describes as a free baseline experience on its Copilot for individuals page.
- Mistral AI: the Free plan on mistral.ai/pricing, where the consumer plans are presented under the Vibe name and the mobile apps are listed as Le Chat.
- OpenAI: the Free plan on chatgpt.com/pricing, described in the plan FAQ as free to everyone.
- Perplexity: the free Standard plan described in the Perplexity help centre, listed at $0.
- xAI: the free tier of Grok, which xAI's documentation describes as free to start.
Meta AI and DeepSeek's chat app were not included because no official plan page stating free-plan terms could be confirmed on 2026-11-15.
Free plans at a glance
As of 2026-11-15. Wording is summarised from each provider's plan page; "Not stated" means the pages checked did not give the fact.
| Provider (assistant) | Free plan name | Models named for free users | How limits are described | Numeric limits published |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anthropic (Claude) | Free | Sonnet and Haiku; Opus not included | Limited usage every 5 hours and every week | Not stated by Anthropic on the pages checked (2026-11-15) |
| Google (Gemini) | Free (no subscription) | A Flash-Lite model; the plan card also lists Gemini 4 Hydrogen | Compute-based; refreshes every 5 hours until the weekly limit is reached | Not stated by Google on the pages checked (2026-11-15) |
| Microsoft (Copilot) | Copilot (free app) | Not stated by Microsoft on the pages checked (2026-11-15) | Free baseline experience; Microsoft 365 Premium gets the highest usage limits | Not stated by Microsoft on the pages checked (2026-11-15) |
| Mistral AI (Le Chat) | Free | Access to Mistral's latest models (not individually named) | Limited messages and web searches; limited coding sessions | Not stated by Mistral AI on the pages checked (2026-11-15) |
| OpenAI (ChatGPT) | Free | GPT-6 Luna and GPT-5 Thinking Mini in the comparison table; the plan bullets refer to unlimited text chats with GPT-6 | Text chats unlimited subject to abuse guardrails; uploads, image creation, voice, deep research and memory limited | GPT Instant context window of 27K tokens (about 12 pages of input); other figures not stated |
| Perplexity (Perplexity) | Standard (free) | No advanced models; Perplexity picks the model for each query | Daily and monthly quotas | 3 Pro Searches a day; 1 Research a month |
| xAI (Grok) | Free | Not stated by xAI on the pages checked (2026-11-15) | Free tier limits on Chat and Voice, separate from the paid weekly allowance, reset on their own schedule | Not stated by xAI on the pages checked (2026-11-15) |
Which models do free plans use?
Model access is the field where free and paid tiers differ most clearly on the pages that name models. For each provider's full line-up, release dates and API identifiers, see the provider hubs: Anthropic Models, Google Gemini Models, Microsoft MAI and Phi Models, Mistral AI Models, OpenAI Models and xAI Models.
- Anthropic: the Free column lists Sonnet and Haiku. Opus is listed from the paid plans upwards.
- Google: the Free card lists a Flash-Lite model and says it includes Gemini 4 Hydrogen.
- Microsoft: the Copilot for individuals page does not name the models used in the free app.
- Mistral AI: the Free plan includes access to Mistral's latest models without naming them.
- OpenAI: the comparison table marks GPT-6 Luna and GPT-5 Thinking Mini as available on Free, and GPT-6 Sol, GPT-5.6 models and legacy models as not available. The Free plan bullets separately mention unlimited text chats with GPT-6, so check the live page for the current wording.
- Perplexity: free users do not choose advanced models; Perplexity selects a model per query. Named advanced models start on paid plans.
- xAI: the Grok documentation pages checked do not name the free-tier model.
How free usage limits work
Three limit styles appear across the plan pages. Knowing which style a provider uses explains why a free account can stop working partway through a session.
| Limit style | Providers using it (per their pages) | What a user sees |
|---|---|---|
| Rolling window plus weekly cap | Anthropic, Google | Usage refreshes every 5 hours; once the weekly limit is reached, the account waits for the weekly reset |
| Fixed per-feature quotas | Perplexity | A set number of Pro Searches per day and Research runs per month |
| Per-feature limits without figures | Microsoft, Mistral AI, OpenAI, xAI | Features are marked limited; the plan pages give no number, and limits can depend on demand |
OpenAI adds that free response times depend on bandwidth and availability. xAI states that paid Grok plans draw on one weekly usage allowance shared across Chat, image and video generation, Voice and Build, and that free-tier Chat and Voice limits are separate from that pool. Google states that Google AI Plus doubles the free usage limits and Google AI Pro raises them four times.
Features included on free plans
As of 2026-11-15. "Included" means the plan page lists the feature for the free tier; "Limited" means the page lists it with a limit; "Paid plans" means the page lists it only for paid tiers; "Not stated" means the pages checked did not say.
| Provider | Deep research | Web search | Image generation | Voice | File uploads | Memory | Projects |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anthropic | Paid plans (Research) | Included | Not stated by Anthropic | Included (voice mode) | Creating and editing files with code execution included | Included | Up to 5 |
| Included | Not stated by Google | Included (generation and editing) | Included (Gemini Live) | Not stated by Google | Not stated by Google | Not stated by Google | |
| Microsoft | Deep Research retired in the consumer Copilot app from 18 August 2026 | Not stated by Microsoft | Included (Copilot Imagine) | Included in select markets | Not stated by Microsoft | Not stated by Microsoft | Not stated by Microsoft |
| Mistral AI | Not stated for Free; Pro lists deep research reports | Limited | Included (basic generation and editing) | Not stated by Mistral AI | Limited (library uploads) | Not stated by Mistral AI | Not stated by Mistral AI |
| OpenAI | Limited | Not stated by OpenAI | Limited | Limited | Limited | Limited | Included |
| Perplexity | 1 a month | Included (core product) | Not stated by Perplexity | Not stated by Perplexity | Basic, limited | Not stated by Perplexity | Not stated by Perplexity |
| xAI | Not stated by xAI | Not stated by xAI | Not stated for Free by xAI | Included with a free-tier limit | Not stated by xAI | Not stated by xAI | Not stated by xAI |
Other free features named on plan pages: Google lists Canvas, Skills, the Gemini Notebook research assistant, limited access to Nano Banana Pro in Google Flow and 15 GB of storage shared across Gmail, Drive and Photos. Mistral AI lists more than 100 connectors and web and mobile access. OpenAI lists limited Codex access, memory sources, and ChatGPT Work limited to the desktop app, while scheduled tasks and voice with video are paid features. Anthropic lists Claude Code as paid only.
Deep research and agent features on free plans
Deep research tools run many searches and write a cited report, which costs providers far more than a normal chat. This is why free access is usually rationed or absent.
- Anthropic: Research is listed for Pro, Max, Ultra, Team and Enterprise, not Free. Web search is on the free plan.
- Google: Deep Research is listed on the free tier. The Pro plan FAQ describes more powerful features, including Deep Research, and higher limits.
- Microsoft: Microsoft's support page says Deep Research is being retired in the Copilot app for consumers starting 18 August 2026, and points to Researcher, which it names for Microsoft 365 Premium subscribers.
- Mistral AI: the pricing page mentions deep research reports in the Pro FAQ and does not list them for Free.
- OpenAI: deep research and apps for deep research are marked limited on Free; agent features are limited to ChatGPT Work on the desktop app.
- Perplexity: 1 Research run a month on the free plan, per the help centre.
- xAI: the Grok documentation pages checked do not state whether DeepSearch is on the free tier.
For how each deep research tool works, its sources and its outputs, see Deep Research Tools Compared. For browser and computer-use agents, see Computer-Use and Browser Agents.
What paid plans add, in brief
As of 2026-11-15, from the same plan pages. Prices are in US dollars where the page lists them. Full plan details are on AI Chatbot Subscription Plans Compared.
| Provider | Entry paid plan (price as listed) | What the page says the paid tiers add over Free |
|---|---|---|
| Anthropic | Pro: $20 a month billed monthly, or $17 a month billed annually | Research, Opus models, Claude Code, more usage; Max ($100) and Ultra ($200) raise usage further |
| Google AI Plus (price not stated on the page checked) | Double the free limits on Plus, four times on Pro ($19.99), video generation from Plus | |
| Microsoft | Microsoft 365 Premium (price not stated on the page checked) | Highest Copilot usage limits, Copilot in Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook, Researcher |
| Mistral AI | Pro: $14.99 a month excluding taxes | More extended thinking and deep research reports; Student pricing $5.99 a month |
| OpenAI | Go (price not shown on the page as fetched) | Expanded deep research on Plus, maximum deep research on Pro, access to GPT-6 Sol and other models |
| Perplexity | Pro: $17 a month billed annually | Advanced models and higher Research limits; Education Pro $10 a month |
| xAI | SuperGrok (price not stated on the pages checked) | Higher usage limits and more features drawn from one weekly allowance; Extra Usage Credits from $5 |
Data handling on free accounts
Free plans are individual consumer accounts. The plan pages checked do not set out data retention or training terms side by side, so read each provider's consumer privacy settings directly before entering sensitive material. Three practical points follow from the plan structure itself:
- No organisational administration: free accounts are owned by the individual, so an employer cannot apply single sign-on, retention policy, audit logs or offboarding to them. Business and enterprise tiers exist for that reason. See the ChatGPT Enterprise Security Guide, Claude for Enterprise Security Guide, Gemini Enterprise Security Guide, Microsoft 365 Copilot Security Deep Dive and Perplexity Enterprise Security.
- Connectors widen exposure: several free tiers list connectors or workspace access (Mistral AI lists more than 100 connectors; Google's Deep Research can read Gmail, Drive and Chat when the user opts in). A personal account connected to work data moves that data outside company control.
- Pasted data is the main risk: the Samsung ChatGPT source code leak shows how engineers pasting proprietary code into a public assistant led the company to restrict generative AI tools, with no attacker involved. See the Shadow AI Policy Template.
How to choose a free plan: factual criteria
These criteria are factual checks against the plan pages, not a ranking. Weigh them against what you need to do.
- Check whether the limit is published. If predictable capacity matters, Perplexity's fixed quotas are easier to plan around than limits marked only as limited. Rolling 5-hour windows (Anthropic, Google) suit short, spread-out sessions.
- Check the model named for free users. If a specific model matters, confirm it on the plan page; several free tiers use smaller or faster models than the paid tiers.
- Check the feature you need is on Free. Deep research, projects, voice and image generation differ by provider (see the features table). Do not assume a feature on one assistant's free plan is on another's.
- Check the context window if you work with long documents. OpenAI states 27K tokens for GPT Instant on Free The other free pages do not state one.
- Check where the account will be used. For any work data, use the organisation's sanctioned plan rather than a free personal account, and follow the AI Acceptable Use Policy Template.
Practitioner checklist
- Record which assistants staff may use on free personal accounts, and for which data classes, in the AI acceptable use policy.
- Re-check each provider's plan page before quoting a free limit; most do not publish figures and wording changes without notice.
- Confirm the free tier's model on the live plan page when results must be reproducible, since free tiers can switch to smaller models when limits are reached.
- Block or warn on connecting work mailboxes, drives and calendars to personal free accounts, using the controls in the AI Gateway vs CASB/SSE for Controlling Shadow AI.
- Track retirements such as Microsoft's removal of Deep Research from the consumer Copilot app on 18 August 2026, and update user guidance.
- Offer a managed business plan where demand is high, so staff are not pushed to free accounts by limits.
- Review discovery data for personal AI account use using the Shadow AI Discovery Guide.
Standards and references
- Anthropic: Claude plans and pricing (accessed 2026-11-15)
- Google: Gemini Deep Research overview (accessed 2026-11-15)
- Google: Gemini subscriptions (accessed 2026-11-15)
- Microsoft: Copilot for individuals (accessed 2026-11-15)
- Microsoft Support: Deep Research is being retired in the Copilot app (accessed 2026-11-15)
- Mistral AI: Pricing (accessed 2026-11-15)
- OpenAI: ChatGPT pricing (accessed 2026-11-15)
- Perplexity Help Center: Which Perplexity subscription plan is right for you (accessed 2026-11-15)
- xAI: Grok overview (accessed 2026-11-15)
- xAI: Grok help and FAQ (accessed 2026-11-15)
Related NHI Mgmt Group resources: AI Chatbot Subscription Plans Compared, ChatGPT vs Claude vs Gemini vs Grok (Apps), Deep Research Tools Compared, Blocking Personal ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini Accounts at Work, Frontier AI Models Compared.