X Tests Free Access to Grok AI Chatbot for Non-Paying Users
X is experimenting with a free tier for its Grok AI chatbot, currently testing the feature with select users in New Zealand. The move aims to expand the chatbot's user base and compete more directly with rivals like ChatGPT and Gemini.
Social network X is testing a free version of its AI chatbot Grok, marking a shift from its previous restriction to only premium, paying users. App researchers and users spot the feature over the weekend, and TechCrunch confirms that X is currently trialing free access to the chatbot for users in New Zealand.
Free users face strict usage limits under this trial, with allowances of 10 queries every two hours on the Grok-2 model and 20 queries every two hours on the Grok-2 mini model. Additionally, free accounts are restricted to three image analysis questions per day, and users must have an account that is at least seven days old with a linked phone number to participate.
By opening Grok to free users, xAI seeks to build a larger user base and accelerate its feedback cycle to better compete with established rivals like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini. This expansion comes at a busy time for the company, as xAI recently added image generation and understanding capabilities to Grok, and reports indicate the startup is pursuing new funding at a $40 billion valuation.