Google to Remove Gemini Flash and Pro From Free Tier on October 9

Google will remove free access to its Gemini Flash and Pro models on October 9, according to the company's support page. After that date, all free inquiries on the Gemini app and website will be handled by Flash-Lite, Google's most cost-effective model. The change means free users will no longer be able to select Flash, which sits a step above Lite, or Pro, which was built for advanced reasoning and complex tasks.

The shift also affects some paying customers. Subscribers to Google AI Plus, the company's cheapest tier at $5 per month in the US, will lose access to the Gemini 3.1 Pro model. Google says Pro handles complex math and coding prompts well and has a deeper understanding across text, files, images and videos. Those who rely on Gemini for coding or as a study aid that digests large documents may need to move to an AI Pro plan.

Google AI Pro costs $20 per month, while AI Ultra, which offers higher usage limits, starts at $100 per month. Alongside the model changes, Google is adding effort level options for each model. Users can pick low, medium or high settings, 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 also get a Deep Think option for tapping into Gemini's maximum capabilities. In addition, they will gain access to Gemini 4 Argon when it rolls out to the general public. Right now, Gemini 4 Argon is only available to members of Google's Fairwind Program for governments and trusted partners.

The changes take effect on October 9. Until then, free users will still see three model options in the dropdown menu at the top of the app or next to the text box on desktop. After the deadline, free inquiries will default to Flash-Lite.