PipeStitchChecked on September 27, 2026
Gemini
Google’s chat assistant, which also works inside Gmail and Docs on paid plans.
- What it does
- Google’s chat assistant for questions, writing, and files. On paid plans it also works inside Gmail, Docs, and other Google apps. A new helper, Gemini Spark, works on a task in the background, and is in beta.
- Who makes it
- Google LLC, Mountain View, California.
- What it costs
- Free; Google AI Plus $4.99 a month; Pro $19.99; Ultra from $99.99, with more storage on each. Usage limits reset every 5 hours up to a weekly cap; you can buy more. A business edition is $21 per person a month.
- Where your data goes
- For adults, “Keep Activity” is on by default: Google uses your chats to improve its services, including training AI, and people may review some. Turning it off stops training on your future chats, but also switches off Gmail and Drive access. The business edition isn’t used for training.
- What you need first
- A Google Account, age 13 or older; paid plans need 18 or older. Google’s Spark page says it’s on Pro and Ultra, in some countries.
- Where it stands
- Long-running: renamed from Bard in February 2024. Spark is in beta.
- Who it suits
Good fit if the shop already runs on Gmail and Google Drive and you want the assistant inside them.
Not a fit if you want Gmail access and no chat review or training; Google ties those to the same setting.
- Checked on
- September 27, 2026