Google has updated its support page with changes to its Gemini apps and website that could affect how users interact with the AI chatbot, especially those without a paid subscription.
Starting Oct. 9, free accounts will no longer be able to access the Gemini Flash and Pro models. Currently, users see three options in the drop-down menu at the top of the app or next to the text box on desktop. In a few days, all free inquiries on Gemini will use Flash-Lite, Google’s most cost-effective model. Flash is a step up from Lite, while Pro was designed for advanced reasoning and more complex tasks.
Subscribers to Google AI Plus, the company’s cheapest subscription tier at $5 a month in the U.S., will also lose access to the Gemini 3.1 Pro model. According to Google, Pro excels at complex math and coding prompts and has a deeper understanding across text, files, images and videos than other models. That means users who rely on Gemini for coding or as a study aid and need it to digest large amounts of documents and other materials may need to move to an AI Pro plan. AI Pro costs $20 a month, while AI Ultra, which offers higher usage limits, costs at least $100 a month.
Google is also adding effort level options for each model. Users will be able to choose between low, medium and high, which give models increasing abilities to complete tasks. Higher levels produce more thorough answers but consume more of a user’s limit. AI Ultra subscribers will get access to a Deep Think option for Gemini’s maximum capabilities.
In addition, AI Ultra subscribers will get access to Gemini 4 Argon when it rolls out to the general public. It is currently available only to members of Google’s Fairwind Program for governments and trusted partners.
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