Google limits free Gemini users to Flash Lite

From October 9, free Gemini users get only Flash Lite; Flash needs $4.99 and Pro needs a higher plan.

Starting October 9, free personal Google Gemini users will be limited to Flash Lite, according to The Verge. Standard Flash will require the $4.99 monthly Google AI Plus plan, which will lose Gemini Pro. Pro and the Deep Think option will require Google AI Pro at $19.99 a month or Ultra; The Verge lists Ultra at $99.99, while The Decoder also cited $199.99. The Decoder said unpaid users currently have 3.6 Flash and limited 3.1 Pro, compared the shift to OpenAI’s ChatGPT freemium setup, and said it may precede a costlier Gemini 4 Argon. An earlier Hacker News thread linking to Reddit claimed free Flash and Pro use would end entirely but gave no date or plan details; later reports disagree and say free access continues on the weakest model. Google also said higher effort settings can consume usage limits faster.

• The Verge says the change starts October 9; The Decoder had only said October 2026.
• Free personal Gemini users will be limited to Flash Lite (The Decoder: Flash-Lite), not cut off from Gemini entirely.
• Standard Flash will require Google AI Plus at $4.99 a month, and that plan will lose Gemini Pro.
• Pro access moves to Google AI Pro at $19.99; The Verge also places Deep Think on AI Pro or Ultra.
• Ultra pricing disagrees: The Verge lists $99.99 a month, while The Decoder lists $99.99 or $199.99.
• The Decoder says the current free tier includes Gemini 3.6 Flash and limited 3.1 Pro.
• An Oct. 3 Hacker News thread, citing Reddit, claimed free Flash and Pro use would end but gave no date, scope, or prices.
• Google said higher effort settings can consume usage limits faster.