Claude vs Gemini: price and which to choose
Quick verdict
Claude is a focused assistant for writing, analysis and code, with Claude Code included on Pro and Max and limits that reset every five hours. Gemini comes inside Google AI plans that also add storage (5 TB on AI Pro), Gemini in Gmail and Docs, YouTube extras and sharing with up to five others. If you live in Google’s apps, Google AI Pro is more for one bill; if you write or code all day, Claude.
Option A
Option B
We compare plans with a similar purpose, whose features may differ; prices before sales tax; prices for other plans and periods are in the reviews.
Feature comparison
| Criterion | Claude AI | Google AI |
|---|---|---|
| Plans | Free, Pro, Max 5x, Max 20x | AI Plus, AI Pro, AI Ultra |
| Storage | Not included | 5 TB on AI Pro |
| Sharing | Not listed | Up to 5 others |
| Coding tool | Claude Code | Coding tools, Cloud credits |
| Student offer | Not listed | AI Pro free for a year |
Claude is Anthropic’s assistant, sold on its own. Gemini is Google’s, sold as part of Google AI Plus, Pro and Ultra — Google One plans with AI on top.
If you don’t want to read further
Writing, long documents and coding with Claude Code — Claude Pro. Gemini in Gmail and Docs, 5 TB of storage and a plan the whole family shares — Google AI Pro.
What really sets them apart
In each row, the last sentence matters most — what the difference means for you.
What else is in the plan?
Claude AI
The assistant: projects, Claude Code, Claude in Chrome and Microsoft 365.
Google AI
Storage, Gemini in Gmail, Docs and Sheets, YouTube Premium Lite and Google Home Premium Standard on AI Pro.
If you’d pay for Google storage anyway, Google AI Pro bundles it.
Sharing?
Claude AI
No family sharing listed for Free, Pro or Max.
Google AI
Storage and AI shared with up to five others on every plan.
Families get more from Google AI.
Coding?
Claude AI
Claude Code included on Pro and Max, for coding in the terminal.
Google AI
Coding tools on AI Pro, plus monthly Google Cloud credits.
For everyday coding in the terminal, Claude Pro.
How limits work?
Claude AI
Five-hour sessions, plus a weekly limit on paid plans; no fixed message count.
Google AI
Relative: 2x, 4x or up to 20x compared with no AI plan.
Neither publishes a fixed number of messages.
Students?
Claude AI
No student plan listed.
Google AI
Google AI Pro free for one year for eligible students.
Students should start with Google AI Pro.
Where they don’t differ, even though it seems they should
This part is often more useful than the list of differences — it saves money for anyone who was about to pay for an imaginary advantage.
A free tier
Claude Free and Gemini without an AI plan both work for occasional use.
Higher tiers for heavy use
Claude Max (5x or 20x Pro) and Google AI Ultra (up to 20x).
Refunds are limited
Claude refunds only where its terms or the law require; Google says storage plans are non-refundable in most countries.
Which one fits whom
| Your situation | What to choose | On what condition |
|---|---|---|
| You write or code all day | Claude Pro | Claude Code included; Max if you hit limits. |
| You live in Gmail and Docs | Google AI Pro | Gemini inside Google’s apps. |
| A family that needs storage | Google AI Pro | 5 TB shared with up to five others. |
| You’re a student | Google AI Pro | Free for one year if eligible. |
- Claude payments are non-refundable except where the terms or the law say otherwise.
- Cancel Claude at least 24 hours before the next billing date.
- Google sells two plans called Google AI Plus — with 400 GB and with 2 TB — at different prices.
- Some Google AI features are US-only or English-only.
Where the facts come from
Sources: claude.com and the Claude Help Center, and one.google.com for the US. Prices are in the price blocks on each service’s page.
Facts in the text checked: .
FAQ: Claude AI or Google AI
Other comparisons
The same products against other competitors, and other comparisons in the “AI subscriptions” category.
Where their scores differ
Only criteria we’ve checked for both services and where the scores differ. Equal criteria and criteria without data aren’t shown here, because they add nothing to the decision.
If what matters most is — what it can do: Google AI Pro
Claude AI Pro: 4 of 6 checked (4,0/5) · Google AI Pro: 6 of 6 checked (5,0/5)
If what matters most is — chats and model training: Google AI Pro
Claude AI Pro: yes, by default (can be turned off) (2,0/5) · Google AI Pro: provider doesn’t say (3,0/5)
The scores and their weights are the same as in the reviews of both services. How we calculate
Comparison text updated: