Independent AI buying guide

No paid rankings

Last checked 26 Oct 2026

Which AIshould I buy?

The full comparison

Every AI plan, side by side

All 15 tools we cover, every plan, monthly prices when billed monthly. A dash means we haven't verified a price in that currency. We never convert dollars to euros or back: those are separate prices.

All-round assistants

ToolPlanUSD / moEUR / moWhat you getSource
ChatGPTOpenAIFreeFreeFree

AI models: GPT-5.6 Terra (limited), GPT-6 Luna (limited)

  • Limited messages and file uploads
  • Limited image creation
  • Limited deep research
  • Unlimited text chats with GPT-6, subject to abuse guardrails
  • Limited memory and context
  • Voice chats are limited
Source: OpenAI · verified 26 Oct 2026
Go$8—

AI models: GPT-5.6 Terra (limited), GPT-6 Luna

  • More messages with tools than the free plan
  • More image creation than the free plan
  • Longer memory
Source: OpenAI · verified 26 Oct 2026Source: OpenAI · verified 26 Oct 2026
Plus$20—

AI models: GPT-5.6 Luna, GPT-5.6 Sol, GPT-5.6 Terra, GPT-6.1 Sol, GPT-6 Astra, GPT-6 Luna, GPT-6 Sol

  • Expanded messages and file uploads
  • Expanded deep research
  • Projects, scheduled tasks and custom GPTs
  • Advanced reasoning models with GPT-6
  • Early access to new features
  • More complex and accurate image creation
  • Usage limits such as message caps can apply, especially at peak times
Source: OpenAI · verified 26 Oct 2026Source: OpenAI · verified 26 Oct 2026
Pro$100—

AI models: GPT-5.6 Luna, GPT-5.6 Sol, GPT-5.6 Terra, GPT-6.1 Sol, GPT-6 Astra, GPT-6 Luna, GPT-6 Sol

  • Choose from three usage tiers
  • Dot, an always-on agent
  • Unlimited and faster image creation
  • Pro reasoning powered by GPT-6 Astra
  • Maximum deep research
Source: OpenAI · verified 26 Oct 2026Source: OpenAI · verified 26 Oct 2026
ClaudeAnthropicFreeFreeFree

AI models: Claude Haiku 5.5 (limited), Claude Sonnet 5.5 (limited)

  • Chat on web, desktop and mobile, with web search and file creation.
  • Memory carries across conversations.
  • Free covers everyday questions.
  • Chat on web, desktop, and mobile for free
Source: Anthropic · verified 26 Oct 2026
Pro$20—

AI models: Claude Fable 5.1 (limited), Claude Haiku 5.5, Claude Opus 5.5, Claude Sonnet 5.5

  • Pro gives at least 5x more usage per 5-hour session than Free
  • Claude Code is included with the plan
  • Includes projects and access to more Claude models.
  • Can hand off and schedule tasks
  • Access to more Claude models
  • More usage than the Free plan
  • Projects to organize chats and documents
Source: Anthropic · verified 26 Oct 2026
Max$100—

AI models: Claude Fable 5.1 (limited), Claude Haiku 5.5, Claude Opus 5.5, Claude Sonnet 5.5

  • Offers 5x or 20x more usage than Pro.
  • Higher output limits for all tasks
  • Monthly API credits for building on the Claude Platform
  • $100 to $200 monthly in API credits for building
  • Priority access at busy times
Source: Anthropic · verified 26 Oct 2026
DeepSeekDeepSeekFreeFreeFree

AI models: DeepSeek V4 Pro (limited)

  • Free access to leading AI chat models
  • Desktop app also available for Windows
  • Newest V4 Pro model available in Expert Mode on app and web.
  • Available as an app for iOS
  • Runs on the company's latest flagship model
  • Reasoning effort can be set to low, high or max depending on the task.
  • You can manage and delete your chat history in settings.
Source: DeepSeek · verified 26 Oct 2026Source: DeepSeek · verified 26 Oct 2026Source: DeepSeek · verified 26 Oct 2026
EuriaInfomaniakFreeFreeFree
  • Searches the web to answer follow-up questions.
  • Summarises long documents in a few sentences
  • Turns your recordings into structured text for notes and minutes.
  • Free to try Euria from the main page
  • Summarises long texts into a few lines
  • Translates the content of your documents
  • Free to start, usable on the web
  • Mobile app available for download
Source: Infomaniak · verified 26 Oct 2026
GeminiGoogleFreeFreeFree
  • Free plan includes 15 GB of cloud storage for Gmail, Drive and Photos.
  • Image generation and editing included
  • Deep Research and Gemini Live included
  • Free plan includes help with everyday tasks from Google's AI.
  • Deep Research can analyse hundreds of sources in real time
Source: Google · verified 26 Oct 2026
Google AI Plus—€4.99
  • 2x higher usage limits than the free version in the Gemini app
  • 400 GB cloud storage for Gmail, Drive and Photos
  • Gemini available inside Gmail and Vids
  • Plus gives about twice the usage limits of the free version.
  • Plus includes 200 Google Flow credits for video and story creation.
  • 200 Google Flow credits for creating film scenes and stories
Source: Google · verified 26 Oct 2026
Google AI Pro—€21.99

AI models: Gemini 3.1 Pro, Gemini 4 Argon

  • 4x higher usage limits than the free version in the Gemini app
  • 5 TB cloud storage for Gmail, Drive and Photos
  • 1000 Google Flow credits for creating film scenes and stories
  • Pro gives about four times the usage limits of the free version.
  • Pro includes 1000 Google Flow credits for video and story creation.
Source: Google · verified 26 Oct 2026
Google AI Ultra—€99.99

AI models: Gemini 3.1 Pro, Gemini 4 Argon

  • Ultra gives up to 20 times the Gemini usage limits of Pro.
  • Ultra includes at least 20 TB of cloud storage.
  • Ultra includes 10,000 or 25,000 Google Flow credits.
  • Project Genie world-building is only available with Ultra.
  • Individual YouTube Premium subscription included, without ads
Source: Google · verified 26 Oct 2026
GrokxAIFreeFreeFree
  • Voice mode is included for free
  • Real-time web and X search is included
  • Free use comes with generous limits
Source: xAI · verified 26 Oct 2026
SuperGrok$30—
  • Higher usage limits across all features
  • Image and video generation included
  • Access to frontier models
Source: xAI · verified 26 Oct 2026
LumoProtonFreeFreeFree

AI models: GLM 5.3 (limited)

  • Usage is limited for messages and chat history
  • Image generations are limited
  • Only one project included
  • Basic chat history, web search and small file uploads included
  • Limited image generations and only one project
  • Limited Max model usage
Source: Proton · verified 26 Oct 2026Source: Proton · verified 26 Oct 2026
Plus$9.99—

AI models: GLM 5.3

  • More Max model usage than the free plan
  • Unlimited projects
  • Unlimited projects and unlimited custom Lumos
  • More messages and chat history than Free
  • More image generations than Free
  • Unlimited chats, extended chat history, and unlimited favorites
  • Upload multiple large files
Source: Proton · verified 26 Oct 2026Source: Proton · verified 26 Oct 2026
Meta AIMetaFreeFreeFree

AI models: Muse Spark (limited)

  • Free to use for everyday use
  • Thinking mode for complex questions with advanced reasoning
  • Conversational voice mode in 13 languages
  • Can research topics and write in-depth reports with citations
  • Can help you stay organized, shop and complete tasks
  • Works on phones, web, desktop, AI glasses and inside other apps.
  • Can analyze uploaded files and images, including several at once.
  • Can answer questions, generate images, and help with coding and shopping
  • Can read photos and files you upload
  • Can launch several sub-agents at once to answer a complex question faster
  • Can generate images during voice conversations in the app
  • Can search Facebook Marketplace listings near you in shopping mode
Source: Meta · verified 26 Oct 2026Source: Meta · verified 26 Oct 2026
Microsoft CopilotMicrosoftFreeFreeFree
  • Limited AI usage with a free Microsoft account
  • 5 GB of OneDrive cloud storage
Source: Microsoft · verified 26 Oct 2026
Microsoft 365 Personal$9.99—
  • 1 TB of secure cloud storage
  • Advanced Copilot chat with higher usage than free
  • Desktop Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook apps with Copilot
  • Higher AI image creation usage than free
  • Can be signed into on 5 devices at once
Source: Microsoft · verified 26 Oct 2026
Microsoft 365 Premium$19.99—
  • Extensive usage of advanced Copilot chat
  • Agentic AI for advanced research and analytics
  • Extensive AI image creation in Copilot
  • Extensive AI-generated audio (English only)
Source: Microsoft · verified 26 Oct 2026
Ollama (AI on your own computer)OllamaFreeFreeFree
  • Runs models on your own computer for free, unlimited
  • Starter usage included for a smaller set of starter models
  • Only 1 concurrent cloud request at a time
  • Runs models on your own computer
  • Includes a starter amount of usage credits
Source: Ollama · verified 26 Oct 2026
Vibe (Le Chat)Mistral AIFreeFreeFree
  • Access on web and mobile.
  • Limited messages and web searches
  • Basic image generation and editing
  • Limited coding sessions
Source: Mistral AI · verified 26 Oct 2026
Pro$14.99—

AI models: Mistral Medium 3.5

  • Full access to Vibe for all-day coding and long-running tasks.
  • Can generate spreadsheets and slides
  • All-day coding in the CLI, IDE, or on web
  • More messages and web searches
  • Better image generation and editing
Source: Mistral AI · verified 26 Oct 2026Source: Mistral AI · verified 26 Oct 2026
Pro (students)$5.99—

AI models: Mistral Medium 3.5

  • Verified students get Pro for $5.99 per month.
  • Valid for up to 12 months for verified students
  • All-day coding in the CLI, IDE, or on web
  • Generate spreadsheets and slides
  • Student discount is limited to a maximum of 12 months for verified students.
Source: Mistral AI · verified 26 Oct 2026Source: Mistral AI · verified 26 Oct 2026

Coding tools

ToolPlanUSD / moEUR / moWhat you getSource
CursorAnysphereHobbyFreeFree
  • Limited agent and chat usage at no cost
Source: Anysphere · verified 26 Oct 2026Source: Anysphere · verified 26 Oct 2026
Pro$20—

AI models: Claude Opus 5.5, Claude Sonnet 5.5, Gemini 3.1 Pro, Gemini 3.8 Flash, GPT-5.6 Luna, GPT-5.6 Sol, GPT-5.6 Terra, Grok 4.5, Grok 4.6, Grok 4.7

  • Unlimited tab completions and extended agent limits on all models
  • Generous usage limits for Grok models
  • Access to frontier models
Source: Anysphere · verified 9 Oct 2026Source: Anysphere · verified 9 Oct 2026
GitHub CopilotGitHub (Microsoft)FreeFreeFree

AI models: Claude Fable 5 (limited), Claude Fable 5.1 (limited), Claude Haiku 4.5 (limited), Claude Haiku 5.5 (limited), Claude Opus 4.8 (limited), Claude Opus 5 (limited), Claude Opus 5.5 (limited), Claude Sonnet 4.6 (limited), Claude Sonnet 5 (limited), Claude Sonnet 5.5 (limited), Gemini 3.7 Flash (limited), Gemini 3.8 Flash (limited), Gemini 4 Argon (limited), GPT-5.2 (limited), GPT-5.2 Codex (limited), GPT-5.3 Codex (limited), GPT-5.4 (limited), GPT-5.4 Mini (limited), GPT-5.5 (limited), GPT-5.6 Luna (limited), GPT-5.6 Sol (limited), GPT-5.6 Terra (limited), GPT-6.1 Sol (limited), GPT-6 Astra (limited), GPT-6 Luna (limited), GPT-6 Sol (limited), Grok 4.5 (limited), Grok 4.6 (limited), Grok 4.7 (limited)

  • Limited to 2,000 code completions per month
  • Includes a limited allowance of AI credits for chat and agents
  • Works in your terminal through Copilot CLI
  • 2,000 inline suggestions per month
Source: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026
Pro$10—

AI models: Claude Fable 5, Claude Fable 5.1, Claude Haiku 4.5, Claude Haiku 5.5, Claude Opus 4.8, Claude Opus 5, Claude Opus 5.5, Claude Sonnet 4.6, Claude Sonnet 5, Claude Sonnet 5.5, Gemini 3.7 Flash, Gemini 3.8 Flash, Gemini 4 Argon, GPT-5.2, GPT-5.2 Codex, GPT-5.3 Codex, GPT-5.4, GPT-5.4 Mini, GPT-5.5, GPT-5.6 Luna, GPT-5.6 Sol, GPT-5.6 Terra, GPT-6.1 Sol, GPT-6 Astra, GPT-6 Luna, GPT-6 Sol, Grok 4.5, Grok 4.6, Grok 4.7

  • Unlimited code completions
  • Includes $10 per month of base AI credits
  • Cloud agent can write code and create pull requests
  • Includes $15 per month in GitHub AI Credits in total
  • Assigns work to Copilot, which can write code and open pull requests
  • Unlimited code completions and next edit suggestions
  • Pull request code reviews in GitHub
Source: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026
Pro+$39—

AI models: Claude Fable 5, Claude Fable 5.1, Claude Haiku 4.5, Claude Haiku 5.5, Claude Opus 4.8, Claude Opus 5, Claude Opus 5.5, Claude Sonnet 4.6, Claude Sonnet 5, Claude Sonnet 5.5, Gemini 3.7 Flash, Gemini 3.8 Flash, Gemini 4 Argon, GPT-5.2, GPT-5.2 Codex, GPT-5.3 Codex, GPT-5.4, GPT-5.4 Mini, GPT-5.5, GPT-5.6 Luna, GPT-5.6 Sol, GPT-5.6 Terra, GPT-6.1 Sol, GPT-6 Astra, GPT-6 Luna, GPT-6 Sol, Grok 4.5, Grok 4.6, Grok 4.7

  • Unlimited code completions
  • Includes $39 per month of base AI credits
  • Delegates tasks to third-party coding agents such as Claude and OpenAI Codex (Preview)
  • Includes $70 per month in GitHub AI Credits
  • Unlimited code completions and next edit suggestions
Source: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026

Image generators

ToolPlanUSD / moEUR / moWhat you getSource
MidjourneyMidjourneyBasic$10—
  • Includes 3.3 hours of fast GPU time per month
  • Up to 3 image jobs at once in fast mode.
  • Up to 4 jobs in a repeat or permutation batch
  • Relax mode unlimited images are not included
  • Can work solo in Discord direct messages
  • Commercial use of images allowed under general terms
  • Annual billing gives a 20% discount
Source: Midjourney · verified 26 Oct 2026
Standard$30—
  • Includes 15 hours of fast GPU time per month
  • Unlimited image generations in relax mode
  • Up to 10 jobs in a repeat or permutation batch
  • Commercial use of images allowed under general terms
Source: Midjourney · verified 26 Oct 2026
Pro$60—
  • Includes 30 hours of fast GPU time per month
  • Stealth mode keeps your images and videos private
  • Unlimited images and standard-definition video in relax mode
  • Unlimited video generations with Relax Mode
Source: Midjourney · verified 26 Oct 2026

Prices last checked 26 Oct 2026. Tools are listed alphabetically; this table is not a ranking. For our picks, see the verdicts.

Head to head

Two AIs side by side, on the same test scores as our rankings.

Is it worth it?

Prices per AI