Google AI Plus vs Pro vs Ultra: Gemini features compared [May 2026]
▼ Summary
– Google introduced AI Plus ($7.99/mo), AI Pro ($19.99/mo), AI Ultra 5x ($99.99/mo), and AI Ultra 20x ($199.99/mo) subscriptions with updated usage limits announced at I/O 2026.
– The Gemini app now uses compute-based usage limits that refresh every 5 hours until a weekly limit is reached, with usage factoring in prompt complexity, features used, and chat length.
– Free users in the US gained access to “Pro” features in Google AI Mode, powered by Gemini 3.5 Flash, and Create Images Pro, with daily usage limits.
– AI Pro subscribers get 1 million token context windows, expanded access to features like Google Flow and AI Studio, and 5 TB of Google One storage.
– AI Ultra 20x subscribers receive the highest usage limits, 30 TB of storage, “Deep think” reasoning, and access to Project Genie for playable interactive worlds.
Google’s subscription tiers for Gemini-powered features have been overhauled at I/O 2026, introducing a smarter, compute-based usage system that replaces the old daily prompt caps. The new plans , AI Plus, AI Pro, and AI Ultra , now track consumption every five hours until a weekly limit is reached, with heavier tasks like media generation or Deep Research burning through capacity faster.
Free users still get a solid entry point: a 32,000-token context window (roughly 50 pages of text) plus access to Canvas, Gems, Storybook, and audio overviews. In the US, they also unlock “Pro” mode for advanced thinking and generative layouts, powered by Gemini 3.5 Flash as the default model. Image generation with Nano Banana 2 and music creation round out the free offering.
Stepping up to Google AI Plus at $7.99 per month doubles the usage limits and expands the context window to 128,000 tokens. Subscribers gain a daily brief, video generation via Omni Flash, priority access to new features, and scheduled actions. NotebookLM gets a meaningful boost: 200 notebooks per user, 100 sources per notebook, and 200 daily chats, alongside six audio and six video overviews per day. Gmail’s proofread and AI inbox features shift from basic to “More” or “Limited” access, while Google Flow credits land at 200 per month.
At $19.99 per month, Google AI Pro quadruples standard usage limits and jumps to a 1-million-token context window , enough for 1,500 pages of text or 30,000 lines of code. This tier unlocks expanded auto browse in Chrome, AI Overviews in Gmail that generate instant answers without opening individual emails, and full Gemini integration across Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Meet, and Chat. NotebookLM scales to 500 notebooks, 300 sources per notebook, and 500 daily chats, with 20 daily audio overviews. Subscribers also get 5 TB of Google One storage, up from the previous 2 TB, plus YouTube Premium Lite at $8.99 standalone. Flow credits increase to 1,000 per month.
For power users, Google AI Ultra 5x at $99.99 per month delivers five times the limits of AI Pro, plus the “Deep Think” thinking level for maximum parallel reasoning and Gemini Spark. Google Home Premium Advanced replaces Nest Aware Plus, offering 60 days of event-based video history, 10 days of 24/7 recording, and AI-driven event descriptions and notifications. NotebookLM hits 500 notebooks, 500 sources per notebook, and 2,500 daily chats, with 100 audio overviews and 75 daily Deep Research sessions. Storage climbs to 20 TB, and YouTube Premium (Individual, $13.99/month) is included. Flow credits reach 10,000 per month.
The top tier, Google AI Ultra 20x at $199.99 per month, multiplies AI Pro limits by 20 times. It retains the Deep Think and Gemini Spark features, while NotebookLM expands to 5,000 daily chats, 200 audio overviews, and 200 daily Deep Research queries. 30 TB of storage and Project Genie , playable interactive worlds , are exclusive to this plan. Google Flow credits jump to 25,000 per month, and $100 in Google Cloud credits monthly sweetens the deal for developers.
Across all paid tiers, access to features like Google Flow Music, Antigravity agent requests, Jules, and Photos Remix scales proportionally , from “Limited” on Plus to “Highest” on Ultra 20x. The shift to compute-based limits means users pay for intensity, not just volume, making the new structure more flexible for varied workflows.
(Source: 9to5google.com)
