How Much Do ChatGPT, Copilot And Gemini Cost?
ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot and Google Gemini all have a free version, and for most beginners the free version is plenty. The main paid plans cost around $20 a month in the USA and £19 to £20 a month in the UK. You never have to pay to try them.
Last checked: 16 October 2026. Prices and settings change, so check the official site before you pay or change anything.
Quick Steps
- Start with the free version. It is enough for most people.
- Use it for two or three weeks before deciding.
- If you upgrade, pay only on the official website or app store.
- Set a calendar reminder before any renewal date.
What Do The Paid Plans Cost?
Here are the main paid plans for home users, side by side. We checked each price on the company's own website on 16 October 2026, except where the table says otherwise.
| Assistant | Free version? | Main paid plan | USA | UK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ChatGPT | Yes | ChatGPT Plus | $20 a month | Shown in pounds at checkout (see below) |
| Microsoft Copilot | Yes | Microsoft 365 Personal (includes Copilot, Word and Excel) | $9.99 a month | £8.49 a month |
| Google Gemini | Yes | Google AI Pro | $19.99 a month | £18.99 a month |
Microsoft prices are from microsoft.com. The Google AI Pro prices are from Google's Gemini plans page (checked 19 October 2026). The ChatGPT Plus US price is from OpenAI's help centre.
How Much Is ChatGPT Plus?
ChatGPT Plus costs $20 a month in the USA, billed monthly. OpenAI says so on its own help pages.
In the UK, OpenAI does not publish a price in pounds. You see the exact amount at checkout before you pay. Independent price trackers report about £19.20 a month when you sign up on the ChatGPT website (that is £16 plus 20% VAT) and £19.99 a month when you sign up through the iPhone App Store. We could not confirm the website figure on an official OpenAI page, so treat it as a guide.
There is also a cheaper plan called ChatGPT Go. It gives you more use than the free version, but OpenAI says it may include adverts. Its price varies by country, so check the official site.
Not sure what ChatGPT is? Read our beginner's guide to ChatGPT.
How Much Is Microsoft Copilot?
Copilot is free on the web, in Windows and in the Edge browser. Microsoft does not sell a separate Copilot plan for home users. You get more Copilot use with a Microsoft 365 subscription instead:
- Microsoft 365 Personal: $9.99 a month or $99.99 a year in the USA. £8.49 a month or £84.99 a year in the UK. It includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and 1 TB of storage.
- Microsoft 365 Family: $12.99 a month in the USA, £10.49 a month in the UK. Up to six people can share it, but only the person who pays gets the extra Copilot.
- Microsoft 365 Premium: the most Copilot use. $199.99 a year in the USA. £18.99 a month or £189.99 a year in the UK.
If you already pay for Microsoft 365, you may already have more Copilot than you think. Check your plan before you buy anything else. See our guide to Microsoft Copilot.
How Much Is Google Gemini?
Gemini is free with any Google account. Google AI Pro costs $19.99 a month in the USA, or £18.99 a month (£189.99 a year) in the UK. It gives you more Gemini use and 5 TB of storage for Gmail, Google Drive and Google Photos.
Google also sells a cheaper plan called Google AI Plus and a much more expensive one called Google AI Ultra (from $99.99 a month in the USA). Google says its paid AI plans are for adults aged 18 and over. See our guide to Google Gemini.
Do I Need To Pay At All?
Probably not at first. The free versions will answer questions, help you write a letter, explain a bill and plan a trip.
Think about paying only if one of these happens often:
- You keep reaching a daily limit and have to wait.
- You want a feature that only the paid plan has, such as longer voice chats or more photo uploads.
- You already pay for extra storage, and a plan that includes AI would cost you about the same.
Try the free version for two or three weeks first. Then you will know whether you need more.
How Do I Avoid Paying By Mistake?
- Only pay in the official places: chatgpt.com, microsoft.com, google.com, or your phone's app store.
- Put a reminder in your calendar a few days before any free trial ends. Paid plans renew every month until you cancel.
- Cancel in the same place you signed up. If you paid through the iPhone App Store or Google Play, you cancel there, not on the company's website.
- Check your bank statement after the first month to make sure the amount matches what you expected.
Scam warning: the free versions really are free. If a website, caller or advert asks you to pay to "unlock" ChatGPT, Copilot or Gemini, it is a scam. Read how to spot a fake ChatGPT app or website.
Common Questions
Is ChatGPT free?
Yes. ChatGPT has a free version that anyone can use at chatgpt.com or in the official app. You only pay if you choose a paid plan such as Go or Plus.
How much is ChatGPT Plus in the UK?
OpenAI shows the UK price in pounds at checkout. Independent price trackers report about £19.20 a month on the website and £19.99 a month through the iPhone App Store. In the USA it is $20 a month.
Is Microsoft Copilot free?
Yes. Copilot is free on the web, in Windows and in the Edge browser. A Microsoft 365 subscription gives you more Copilot use inside Word, Excel and Outlook.
How much is Google Gemini?
Gemini is free with a Google account. Google AI Pro costs $19.99 a month in the USA or £18.99 a month in the UK.
How do I cancel a paid AI plan?
Cancel in the same place you signed up. If you paid in the iPhone App Store or Google Play, cancel in your phone's subscription settings. If you paid on the website, cancel in your account settings there.
Which one should a beginner pay for?
None, to begin with. Use the free versions for a few weeks. If you already pay for Microsoft 365 or Google storage, check what AI is included before buying anything new.
New to all this? Our free AI Starter Guide walks you through the basics, and you can print it.
Sources
Last checked 16 October 2026.
Read Next
Using AI For Health Questions Safely
What it's good for, when to call a doctor, and staying private.
America.gov: The New AI Help Site For US Government Services
Ask the US government questions in simple terms, and avoid fakes.
How To Check Phone Numbers And Websites An AI Gives You
Check before you call or click.
Also useful: ChatGPT: a beginner's guide
Get The Weekly exonexo Email
A short email every Thursday with new guides, one useful tip and the AI news that matters. Free, and you can unsubscribe at any time. See past issues.
Updated 24 October 2026

