AssistantsFree tier

Gemini (Google)

gemini.google.com ↗

Gemini in short

What it is: Best for Google AI Pro or Ultra subscribers who want background tasks with apps like Instacart and OpenTable; not offered in the EEA, Nigeria, Switzerland or the UK. Price: Free tier. Free $0 (no tasks); Google AI Plus $4.99/mo; Google AI Pro $19.99/mo; Google AI Ultra $99.99/mo or $199.99/mo. Tasks need Pro or Ultra, per Google's help center. (checked 2026-11-03). Best for: switch a chat to a task that keeps running in the background; run tasks on a schedule. Watch out: tasks need Google AI Pro or Ultra, a personal Google Account and age 18+.

Our verdict

Best for Google AI Pro or Ultra subscribers who want background tasks with apps like Instacart and OpenTable; not offered in the EEA, Nigeria, Switzerland or the UK.

Google's help center and Oct 13, 2026 blog post describe tasks that run in the background for Pro and Ultra subscribers, with take over prompts for certain actions.

Based on public docs and pricing pages, not hands-on testing. How we check

Strengths

  • Task toggle in the main chat; tasks keep working when you are away from your computer
  • Connects to more than 40 apps, including Instacart and OpenTable
  • Works in a local or remote browser, and asks you to take over certain actions
  • Up to 15 tasks at once; mobile app, Mac app and the web

Limitations

  • Tasks need Google AI Pro or Ultra, a personal Google Account and age 18+
  • Not available in the EEA, Nigeria, Switzerland or the UK
  • Google calls tasks experimental, and usage has compute based limits
  • Google's plan page and help article differ on which plans get tasks

Gemini pricing

Free $0 (no tasks); Google AI Plus $4.99/mo; Google AI Pro $19.99/mo; Google AI Ultra $99.99/mo or $199.99/mo. Tasks need Pro or Ultra, per Google's help center.

From the official pricing page, checked 2026-11-03. Plans change, so confirm before you buy.

Is Gemini free?

Yes, it lists a free way to start. Free $0 (no tasks); Google AI Plus $4.99/mo; Google AI Pro $19.99/mo; Google AI Ultra $99.99/mo or $199.99/mo. Tasks need Pro or Ultra, per Google's help center. (official pricing page, checked 2026-11-03)

Good for

switch a chat to a task that keeps running in the backgroundrun tasks on a scheduleorder groceries or book tables through connected appslet Gemini browse in Chrome and confirm sensitive steps

Note: Task requirements: https://support.google.com/gemini/answer/17094507. Gemini in Chrome auto browse (US only): https://support.google.com/gemini/answer/16821166

Compare all AI assistants: pricing, credits, approvals and data use →

Researching from your own documents? Google also makes Gemini Notebook (formerly NotebookLM).

What users say

Community sentiment (opinion, not verified facts)

11 linked posts on X and Reddit, Aug 23, 2026 to Oct 22, 2026. Individual users' views, kept apart from the vendor facts on this page.

Many users call this feature Gemini Spark; Google's help center calls it tasks.

Tasks that stop partway

Users describe tasks that fail or disappear mid task and scheduled runs that do not complete.

Show all 5 posts

Mixed feelings about the redesign

Users noticed Spark turning into a task mode inside the Gemini app, and reactions to the change are split.

Show all 3 posts
  • r/GeminiAI on Reddit: Change in Gemini on my Pixel, more Spark?

Some users are impressed

Others describe useful background runs and say it handled real chores well.

Show all 3 posts
  • r/GeminiAI on Reddit: Am I the only one having a good experience?

Full community section and how we gathered it, in the AI assistants guide →

Alternatives in Assistants

  • Muse (Meta): Best for trying a personal agent for free, with approvals and an audit trail; it is offered in North America, Japan and, since Oct 27, 2026, Singapore.
  • Dots (OpenAI): Best for ChatGPT Pro users who want always on agents in ChatGPT, Slack and Teams; not offered in the EEA, Switzerland or the UK.
  • Grok Bot: Best for running several agents that share a cloud computer, tools and files; the weekly pool is shared with Grok and Cursor.
  • ChatGPT Work (OpenAI): Best for turning your tools and files into documents, presentations and web apps; the Free plan is desktop only, and usage is shared with Codex.
  • Claude (Anthropic): Best for work on your own files and browser when you want to choose between approving each action and automated checks; local files and the browser need Claude Desktop open.
  • Manus: Best for trying long tasks on free daily credits; monthly credits reset and go to zero if you cancel.
  • Lindy: Best for teams that want an assistant in Slack and email that waits for approval on outside actions; every active user is billed.
  • Motion: Best for planning your week with calendar scheduling; trials bill unless you cancel.
  • Alexa+ (Amazon): Best for Prime households that want errands like takeout, reservations and rides done by voice; check approvals yourself, since Amazon's pages do not describe them.
  • Claude Duet (Anthropic): Best for US Claude Pro, Max or Ultra subscribers who want morning briefs and check-ins; it is a waitlisted research preview that shares your Claude limits.
  • Comet (Perplexity): Best for an assistant inside a free browser; agent work in Work mode runs on paid credits.
  • Copilot Cowork (Microsoft): Best for Microsoft 365 Premium or Pro subscribers; Personal and Family plans lose access, and it is still a preview.

How to choose among AI assistants →

Recent Gemini releases

All verified releases →

FAQ

Is Gemini free?

Yes, it lists a free way to start. Free $0 (no tasks); Google AI Plus $4.99/mo; Google AI Pro $19.99/mo; Google AI Ultra $99.99/mo or $199.99/mo. Tasks need Pro or Ultra, per Google's help center. (official pricing page, checked 2026-11-03)

How much does Gemini cost?

Free $0 (no tasks); Google AI Plus $4.99/mo; Google AI Pro $19.99/mo; Google AI Ultra $99.99/mo or $199.99/mo. Tasks need Pro or Ultra, per Google's help center. (from gemini.google/subscriptions/, checked 2026-11-03).

What is Gemini used for?

Listed use cases: switch a chat to a task that keeps running in the background; run tasks on a schedule; order groceries or book tables through connected apps; let Gemini browse in Chrome and confirm sensitive steps.

What are the best alternatives to Gemini?

Other AI assistants in this directory: Muse (Meta), Dots (OpenAI), Grok Bot, ChatGPT Work (OpenAI). We list them in data order, not ranked.

Did you test Gemini?

No. Verdicts are based on each vendor's public docs and pricing pages, not hands-on testing, unless a page says otherwise.