Google Unveils AI Ultra: A $250 Monthly Subscription Reshaping the AI Landscape

Google launches AI Ultra at $250, reshaping expectations for top-tier AI

Serving tech enthusiasts for over 25 years. TechSpot means tech analysis and advice you can trust. But the added value... Google has set its new Ultra plan at $50 more than any other top-tier AI subscription. While it boasts exclusive tools and integrations, much of the offering repackages features that are already available in other Google services. If competitors follow this lead, AI subscriptions could become significantly more expensive - without offering significantly more value. Google introduced its AI Ultra subscription at I/O 2025, calling it the most advanced option for users who want "the absolute best" of Google AI. Priced at $249.99 per month, it's $50 or more higher than top-tier plans from OpenAI ($200/mo) and Anthropic ($100/mo). New subscribers get a 50-percent discount for the first three months, making it temporarily cheaper than OpenAI. Google frames Ultra as a premium-tier product for creative professionals, developers, and academics who need extended access to its largest models and experimental tools, including the latest Gemini 2.5 Pro model. However, the pricing reflects more than just higher usage limits - it sets a new baseline for what AI companies may soon charge. For $250, Ultra includes access to Google's latest versions of Gemini, the new Deep Think mode in Gemini 2.5 Pro, and early access to the Veo 3 video model, which is quite impressive. It also unlocks high-resolution video generation in Flow, a cinematic video creation tool built around Veo, Imagen, and Gemini. The package offers top-tier usage limits across these tools and others like Whisk Animate and NotebookLM, with more enhancements promised later this year. Many of these features aren't exclusive to Ultra. Google is rolling out Flow to the $20-per-month AI Pro subscription with fewer capabilities. Some Gemini integrations, such as those in Gmail, Docs, and Chrome, are already free or included in lower tiers. So, Ultra subscribers are essentially paying to beta test features that will soon become standard. Google Ultra includes 30 terabytes of Google One cloud storage, a YouTube Premium subscription, and Project Mariner, a task manager handling up to 10 concurrent threads. While these add some value, they aren't AI-specific. YouTube Premium and extra storage are available separately, making this bundle feel more like padding than a core upgrade. For users primarily seeking AI capabilities, paying extra for external subscriptions they may not want or use offers limited additional value. Meanwhile, tools like Whisk and NotebookLM, framed as Ultra upgrades, are also available in basic forms elsewhere. Even Veo and Flow, which sound exclusive, are already seeing partial rollout to AI Pro users. The most meaningful perk may be higher usage caps, but the practical value of those limits remains unclear - a frustratingly common trait across the AI industry. If Google's Ultra tier catches on, it could nudge competitors like OpenAI to introduce similarly priced or bundled offerings - even if the functionality remains essentially identical. That would shift the market from a race to deliver the best AI to a race to monetize "premium" features, regardless of whether they provide real differentiation. Google may be positioning AI Ultra as an elite creative toolkit, but it may also be redefining "premium" as just more expensive.

Google Now Has a $250/month 'Ultra' Subscription

Google has announced its newest subscription plan called Google AI Ultra. This is the new highest tier for the Google AI service that gives users access to all of Google's AI models and features, much like OpenAI's newest plan. The plan costs $249.99 per month, with a 50% discount for the first three months. You can subscribe on the official website. AI Ultra is designed for those who frequently use Gemini and the company's other AI tools, and need the highest level of performance. The plan includes a collection of premium applications and features for productivity and creativity. To break the price down, that'd be $2,999.88 per year, but the discount would knock it down to $2,624.89 for the first year. That's a great deal if you work with companies, because AI can be expensive on a business level. A key part of the AI Ultra experience is Gemini, Google's advanced large language model. Subscribers get the most powerful version of the Gemini app, with much higher usage limits for Deep Research. They also get access to advanced video generation with Veo 2, as well as early access to the upcoming Veo 3 model. This makes the plan perfect for demanding tasks like coding, academic research, and high-level creative projects. Additionally, Ultra subscribers will soon get access to Deep Think in 2.5 Pro, a new and improved reasoning mode for Gemini. Beyond Gemini, AI Ultra fully unlocks Flow, an AI filmmaking tool that uses Google DeepMind's models, like Veo, Imagen, and Gemini. Flow lets users create cinematic clips, scenes, and full stories using simple prompts. The Ultra plan offers the highest limits in Flow, giving 1080p video generation, advanced camera controls, and early access to Veo 3. You will also get access to more features in Whisk. AI Ultra maximizes Whisk Animate, which turns images into lively eight-second videos using Veo 2, with much higher usage limits than standard plans. NotebookLM, Google's AI-powered notebook application, also gets upgrades with the Ultra subscription. While full details will come later this year, Google claims that subscribers can expect higher usage limits and improved model capabilities, although no specifics were mentioned. Finally, Project Mariner, an advanced research prototype, can handle up to ten tasks at once, from research to bookings and purchases, all managed from a single dashboard. I am pretty surprised at how many AI projects Google has going on at once, but the gist is that if Google is working on it, it's coming with this tier. The benefits also go beyond just AI applications. AI Ultra includes 30 TB of storage across Google Photos, Drive, and Gmail, and a YouTube Premium individual plan is also included. Related Copilot, Gemini, or ChatGPT: Which Is the Best Conversational AI for You? Stop typing and start talking to your favorite AI chatbots. Posts While it is more expensive than OpenAI's ChatGPT Pro ($200 per month), Google AI Ultra has a much wider variety of integrated applications and features beyond just access to a powerful language model. While ChatGPT Pro focuses on improved performance within its core model, o1 Pro mode, for tasks like data science and legal analysis, Google AI Ultra has more available tools. Source: Google

Google's newest AI plan costs more than your electricity bill

Google is finally fixing our biggest gripe with Gemini's redesigned overlay Summary Google I/O 2025 focused on AI updates, including Gemini 2.5 Flash and Pro becoming generally available. New Google AI Ultra subscription tier costs $250/month, offers 30TB storage, early access to premium features, and more. Subscribers gain access to Gemini Ultra, Flow Ultra, Whisk Ultra, NotebookLM Pro, and more within the Google AI Ultra plan. To absolutely no one's surprise, the Google I/O 2025 keynote was primarily about AI. Google announced that it's improving Gemini 2.5 Flash and Pro, which are currently its "most intelligent models." Both of these models will also be generally available soon. Gemini 2.5 Pro has been updated with a new reasoning mode called Deep Think, which can help users out in the math and coding department. The tech giant also introduced two new generative media models -- Imagen 4 and Veo 3. Google Workspace apps you likely use on a daily basis have picked up a few neat upgrades too, like smart replies in Gmail and live speech translation in Meet. NotebookLM, Google's AI-powered note-taking tool, also got some handy improvements, such as the ability to choose whether you'd like a shorter or longer Audio Overview, and the official reveal of Video Overviews. Related Google's AI Mode rolls out nationwide with powerful new tools on the way AI Overviews will get better too Posts Between all of this news (and more), Google also announced a new subscription tier, and it comes at an interesting rate... enough to make you wonder if your power bill might actually be cheaper. Google AI Ultra costs 'only' $250 (no, that's not a typo) At the Google I/O 2025 conference, the company announced Google AI Ultra, which it says is targeted at trailblazers and those who want cutting-edge AI from Google. Before we talk about the features you'll get with the plan, let's first get the price out of the way. Google AI Ultra costs "only" $249.99/month. Though Google felt a bit generous and is offering it at half the cost for the first three months for first-time users, the only way to really describe the price of the AI plan is: insane. With Google AI Ultra, you'll get 30TB of total storage for Photos, Drive, and Gmail (which costs $149.99/month separately) and YouTube Premium Individual (which you can get for $13.99). As evident from the plan's name, the subscription is primarily for, well, AI. Google AI Ultra comes with the highest AI usage limits, gives you access to Google's most capable models, and also offers early access to premium features. In Google's blog post, the company suggests thinking of it as a "VIP pass to Google AI." Those who subscribe to the $250 plan will also get access to all the features that come with the Google AI Pro plan (which was previously called Gemini Advanced and is still available for $19.99). This includes access to the "absolute" best version of the Gemini app, Gemini Ultra, Flow Ultra, Whisk Ultra, NotebookLM Pro, and more. You'll get 12,500 AI credits and the "highest limits" in Flow, Whisk, NotebookLM, and Gemini in Workspace. You'll also get early access to Gemini directly within the Chrome browser, and access to Deep Think in 2.5 Pro as well. Google AI Ultra is available in the US starting today and will expand to other regions over time.

Introducing Google AI Ultra: The best of Google AI in one subscription

As we introduce new, emerging capabilities and state-of-the-art models, we want to provide more ways for people to get access to the best of what Google AI has to offer to help them be more knowledgeable, creative and productive. Today, we're introducing Google AI Ultra, a new AI subscription plan with the highest usage limits and access to our most capable models and premium features. If you're a filmmaker, developer, creative professional or simply demand the absolute best of Google AI with the highest level of access, the Google AI Ultra plan is built for you -- think of it as your VIP pass to Google Al. Google AI Ultra is available today in the U.S. for $249.99/month (with a special offer for first-time users of 50% off for your first three months), and coming soon to more countries. Here's what you get with Google AI Ultra:

Google's New AI Ultra Subscription Plan Is Really, Really Expensive

For starters, subscribers at this tier get to use Gemini Ultra, which includes the new Veo 3 video generation model that can also generate sounds alongside video, to...some effect. This tier will also be the first to get access to the upcoming 2.5 Pro Deep Think reasoning model that Google says can "consider multiple hypotheses before responding." It also brings access to tools like Flow and Whisk that provide editing tools on top of Veo and Imagen's video and image-generating capabilities. Technically, these plans are part of the Google One subscription family, so they're not solely focused on AI features. On top of the above mentioned features, you'll also get 30TB of storage across all the services attached to your Google account (like Gmail, Photos, and Drive). Google has also thrown in a YouTube Premium individual subscription at this new, highest tier. This makes it the only Google One plan that includes ad-free YouTube (as well as YouTube Music). Sorry, folks who are only paying $150 for the Google One Premium subscription with 30TB of storage and only Gemini Pro access. Google's previous plan, Google AI Premium, is now Google AI Pro. It still costs $20 per month, and comes with the same perks it did before. Now, however, users have access to a limited version of Flow with Veo 2, as well as Gemini in Chrome.

Google Wants $250/Month for AI Suite

We may earn a commission when you click links to retailers and purchase goods. More info. Google introduced a new Ultra tier for its Google AI subscriptions this morning. Priced at a big ol' $249/month, Google AI Ultra will get you access to nine different things, including access to its new AI filmmaking tool called Flow, Whisk, Gemini in basically every service they offer, plus a YouTube Premium subscription. You can view the full detailed list of everything that's included below. It's very much aimed at the generatives among us, with tools able to create short films, animations, images, research tools, and so much more. Of course, the less expensive Google AI Pro is also available at just $20/month, but does offer a bit less for features. No doubt, you're getting access to a lot of stuff, but will you be using it enough to justify the cost? That will be up to you. To those who grab it while it's new, Ultra has special introduction pricing: $124.99/month for 3 months, then back up to its usual pricing. That will at least give you an idea if you like it or not.

Google's New All-in-One AI Subscription Service Comes with a Hefty Fee - Phandroid

Google's many announcements at its I/O 2025 Conference showed off some nifty new tricks and features, although if you want the absolute best AI service that the company has to offer, then you might need to spend a bit extra. Announced earlier, "Google AI Ultra" is a premium subscription plan which also comes with several perks across other Google services as well. READ: Android XR is Coming Soon for Headsets and Glasses Priced at $249.99 per month in the U.S. (with a special 50% off for the first three months for new subscribers), Google AI Ultra includes a beefed up version of the Gemini app with access to Deep Research and video generation with Veo 2 and Veo 3 models. Ultra subscribers will also gain access to Deep Think in 2.5 Pro, which includes Flow, a new AI filmmaking tool custom-designed for Google DeepMind's advanced models, Whisk Animate, and subscribers will likewise get Gemini directly in their favorite Google apps like Gmail, Docs, and Vids, along with early access to Gemini in Chrome starting tomorrow. The plan also introduces Project Mariner, an agentic research prototype that assists with managing up to 10 tasks simultaneously from a single dashboard; Also included is an individual YouTube Premium plan, as well as 30 TB of storage across Google Photos, Drive, and Gmail. Meanwhile, Google's existing AI Premium plan has been rebranded as "Google AI Pro" and will get new upgrades at no additional cost. This includes access to AI filmmaking capabilities in Flow and early access to Gemini in Chrome. Google is expanding free access to Google AI Pro for a full school year to university students in Japan, Brazil, Indonesia, and the United Kingdom, in addition to the U.S.