Google to end free access to Gemini Flash and Pro models — Engadget
Google will end free access to the Gemini Flash and Gemini Pro models in the app and web version of its chatbot on October 9. For users without a subscription, all requests will be handled by Gemini Flash-Lite, the company’s most economical model, Engadget reports.
Which models will remain free
Currently, free users can choose from three models in a drop-down menu in the app or next to the input field in the browser. After the change, this choice will disappear: only Flash-Lite will remain for free accounts. Gemini Flash is more powerful than Lite, while Gemini Pro is designed for more complex tasks and deeper reasoning.
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Changes for subscribers
Users of the cheapest Google AI Plus plan, which costs $5 per month in the United States, will also lose access to Gemini 3.1 Pro. Google describes this model as suitable for complex math tasks, programming, and working with text, files, images, and video. The company notes that users who need such capabilities may have to upgrade to the Google AI Pro plan, which costs $20 per month in the United States. AI Ultra, with higher limits, costs at least $100.
The company is also introducing effort-level settings for each model — low, medium, and high. A higher level is expected to provide more detailed responses but use up the usage limit faster. AI Ultra subscribers will receive the Deep Think option and, after its general launch, access to Gemini 4 Argon, which is currently available to members of the Fairwind program for governments and verified partners.
