Quick answer
Gemini - Gemini's free plan includes Deep Research and 15 GB of cloud storage. Claude's free plan includes memory, Artifacts, file creation with code execution and 5 projects. Claude's first paid plan costs $17 to $20 a month, and Gemini's costs $4.99.
How the free tiers compare
Claude's free plan covers chat on web, desktop and mobile, web search, file creation with code execution, memory, connectors, Artifacts and up to 5 projects. It uses the Sonnet and Haiku models. Gemini's free plan covers Gemini 3.6 Flash, varying access to 3.1 Pro, image generation and editing, Deep Research, Gemini Live, Canvas, Gems and 15 GB of storage.
Claude vs Gemini free tier, side by side
| ClaudeFTV 61 | GeminiFTV 15 | |
|---|---|---|
| Models on Free | Sonnet and Haiku, no Opus | Gemini 3.6 Flash, varying access to 3.1 Pro |
| Research on Free | No | Deep Research |
| Free extras | Up to 5 projects | 15 GB across Gmail, Drive and Photos |
| First paid plan | Pro - $17/mo billed yearly ($200 up front), $20/mo monthly | Google AI Plus - $4.99/mo, 2x the usage of Free |
| Top individual plan | Max - from $100/mo | Google AI Ultra - from $99.99/mo |
After you outgrow the free tier
Claude Pro costs $17 a month billed yearly, which is $200 up front, or $20 billed monthly. It adds more usage, Claude Code, Claude Design, Research and Opus. Max starts at $100 a month for 5x or 20x the usage of Pro. Google AI Plus costs $4.99 a month for 2x the usage of Free. Google AI Pro costs $19.99 a month for 4x the usage of Free and 5 TB of storage. Google AI Ultra starts at $99.99 a month.
Cost at real usage
| Usage | Claude | Gemini |
|---|---|---|
| Entry paid plan | $20/mo billed monthly | $4.99/mo |
| Plan with about $20 a month budget | $17/mo billed yearly for Pro, with Claude Code | $19.99/mo for Google AI Pro, with 5 TB of storage |
Estimates, not quotes. Usage-based rates change - verify with the vendor's pricing page before committing.
When to pick each one
Pick Claude when…
- You want to build with Artifacts or create files by running code.
- You want to organize chats into projects. The free plan allows up to 5.
- You expect to move to a paid plan with Claude Code. It starts on Pro.
Pick Gemini when…
- You want Deep Research on the free plan.
- You want image generation and Gemini Live without paying.
- You want a cheap paid step. Google AI Plus costs $4.99 a month.
Bottom line
Pick Gemini for the free Deep Research and storage, and for the low-cost first paid plan. Pick Claude for projects, Artifacts and file creation, and for a paid plan that includes Claude Code.
Read the full listings: Claude and Gemini. Scores use the FTV methodology at /ftv. Browse more head-to-heads on /compare, or see the top-ranked free tiers on /top.