Google AI (Gemini) vs Vertex AI: Pricing Comparison 2026
Side-by-side pricing comparison of Google AI (Gemini) and Vertex AI. See all plans, features, and costs at a glance.
Bottom line: Google AI (Gemini) starts at $2/mo and Vertex AI starts at $2/mo. Compare all 15 pricing tiers side by side.
Last updated: March 16, 2026
Google AI (Gemini) vs Vertex AI: Quick Pricing Facts
| Feature | Google AI (Gemini) | Vertex AI |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $2/mo | $2/mo |
| Number of Plans | 3 | 12 |
| Free Tier | Yes | No |
| Pricing Model | usage-based | usage-based |
| Annual Discount | N/A | N/A |
Google AI (Gemini) and Vertex AI are both priced at $2/mo, making them equally accessible AI & ML tools. Together they offer 15 pricing plans with 15 features compared, so the best choice comes down to which features match your needs.
Google AI (Gemini) stands out with a free plan for getting started.
Review the detailed tier-by-tier comparison above to see exactly which features are included at each price point and find the best fit for your AI & ML needs.
| Pricing Plans |  Google AI (Gemini) Try it free |  Vertex AI Try it free |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free $0/monthCheapest Includes
| cached Custom pricing |
| Tier 2 | Paid $2/monthCheapest $2 / year Includes
| $14 per 1,000 search queries $14/month |
| Tier 3 | Enterprise Custom pricing Includes
| $14 per 1,000 queries $14/monthCheapest |
| Tier 4 | — | Gemini 2.0 Flash $2/monthCheapest |
| Tier 5 | — | $45 per 1,000 grounded prompts $45/monthCheapest |
| Tier 6 | — | $25 per 1,000 grounded prompts $25/monthCheapest |
| Tier 7 | — | Gemini Flash Custom pricing |
| Tier 8 | — | $35 per 1,000 grounded prompts $35/monthCheapest |
| Tier 9 | — | Model Custom pricing |
| Tier 10 | — | Open Source Model Custom pricing |
| Tier 11 | — | Duration Custom pricing |
| Tier 12 | — | $10 per 1000 searches $10/monthCheapest |
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Google AI (Gemini)
Multimodal AI models for text, image, and video understanding
View all Google AI (Gemini) plansWhat Reviewers Say
Google AI (Gemini)
Google AI (Gemini)
Google AI (Gemini) offers a free plan.
Based on pricing data only. Review the full comparison below for your specific needs.
Best value: Google AI (Gemini)
Try Google AI (Gemini) freeWhich Should You Choose?
Choose Google AI (Gemini) if:
- •You need a free plan with Limited access to certain models, Free input & output tokens—Google AI (Gemini) offers no-cost access with no credit card required
- •You want more features built-in—Google AI (Gemini) offers 15 additional features across its plans
- •You prioritize Google AI (Gemini)'s user experience and interface over price (both tools are similarly priced)
Choose Vertex AI if:
- •You need 12 pricing tiers for flexible team sizing—more options mean less overpaying for features you don't need
- •You prioritize Vertex AI's user experience and interface over price (both tools are similarly priced)
- •You prefer Vertex AI's usage-based model with its 12-tier structure
Google AI (Gemini) offers a free plan [1], eliminating the cost barrier for evaluation, while Vertex AI requires paid subscription from the start. This gives Google AI (Gemini) a significant advantage for teams with budget constraints or extended trial periods. Once you outgrow Google AI (Gemini)'s free tier, upgrading to a paid plan at approximately $2/mo provides substantial additional functionality. Compare this pricing path against Vertex AI's tiering starting at $2/mo to assess total cost of ownership over 12 months. Google AI (Gemini)'s 3 tiers provide flexibility at different budgets, while Vertex AI's 12 tiers structure may force you into higher-cost plans than necessary for your use case. If evaluation cost matters to your decision, Google AI (Gemini) is the obvious starting point with zero financial commitment. Use the free tier to validate core functionality before committing to paid plans from either tool.
Frequently Asked Questions: Google AI (Gemini) vs Vertex AI
Which is cheaper, Google AI (Gemini) or Vertex AI?
How many pricing plans does Google AI (Gemini) have vs Vertex AI?
Does Google AI (Gemini) or Vertex AI offer a free plan?
Can I save money by paying annually for Google AI (Gemini) or Vertex AI?
Does Google AI (Gemini) or Vertex AI offer custom enterprise pricing?
How do Google AI (Gemini) and Vertex AI compare for AI & ML?
Sources
- Google AI (Gemini) Official Pricing— Vendor pricing page
- Vertex AI Official Pricing— Vendor pricing page
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