Grok is the AI assistant from Elon Musk’s AI company. You can chat with it for free, ask it about news that broke minutes ago, make images and videos, and even let it work on tasks for you. But the free and paid options have changed a lot, and most guides online are out of date.
That is why this guide puts everything in one place. You will learn what Grok AI is, what it can do in 2026, how to use it for free, what the paid plans add, how it compares with ChatGPT and how to keep your data private.
Quick answer: Grok AI is a chatbot and AI assistant made by SpaceXAI, the company formerly called xAI. You can use it for free at grok.com, in the Grok app for iPhone and Android, or inside X. The free plan includes chat, live web and X search and voice mode. The paid SuperGrok plan costs 30 dollars a month and adds the newer models, image and video creation, Grok Bot and much higher limits.
What is Grok AI?
Grok is a large language model chatbot, the same kind of AI that powers ChatGPT and Gemini. Elon Musk’s company xAI launched the first version in November 2023. In February 2026 xAI joined SpaceX, and the company now calls itself SpaceXAI. The product is still called Grok, and the official site is still x.ai.
What makes Grok different is its link to X, the social network that used to be called Twitter. Grok can search X posts in real time along with the wider web. Because of this, it is good at questions like “what are people saying about this right now?” or “what happened in the last hour?”
Grok has grown fast. As a result, the models used in 2024 and 2025, like Grok 2, Grok 3 and Grok 4, are now old versions. In 2026 SpaceXAI released Grok 4.5 in July, Grok 4.6 in August and Grok 4.7 in September, which the company calls its most capable model for coding and knowledge work.
What can Grok AI do?
Grok is much more than a chat box now. For example, here are the main things you can do with it, based on the official Grok feature page.
| Feature | What it does |
|---|---|
| Chat | Answers questions, explains topics, writes and edits text step by step |
| Live search | Searches the web and X in real time and shows its sources |
| Voice mode | Talks with you out loud, with very short delays |
| Files and images | Reads PDFs and documents and understands photos you upload |
| Imagine | Creates images and short videos from a text prompt |
| Memory | Remembers useful details across your chats |
| Multi agent mode | Splits a hard problem among several AI helpers that work in parallel (paid) |
| Grok Bot | An AI agent that can carry out tasks for you |
| Grok Build | A coding tool for building apps and websites |
Grok understands more than 30 languages, so you can ask questions in your own language. Moreover, it offers a canvas for longer writing, custom instructions so it answers the way you like, and links you can share for any chat.
Real examples of what people use Grok for
- Breaking news: “Summarise what happened at the tech event today and what people on X think about it.”
- Study help: “Explain photosynthesis like I am 12, then give me 5 quiz questions.”
- Work tasks: “Read this PDF report and pull out the key numbers in a table.”
- Writing: “Write a polite email asking my landlord to fix the heater.”
- Creative work: “Create an image of a cozy reading corner with warm lights.”
- Coding: “Find the bug in this JavaScript function and explain the fix.”
If you want to understand how an assistant like Grok Bot can act on its own, read our guide on what an AI agent is.
Is Grok AI free?
Yes. Grok has a free plan, so you do not need to pay to start. According to the Grok pricing page, the free plan includes:
- Chat with Grok
- Real time web and X search
- Voice mode
- Connectors to some of your other apps
However, the free plan has usage limits. Still, SpaceXAI only says free use comes with generous limits and does not publish an exact number of messages. The Grok FAQ says free chat and voice limits reset on their own schedule. In practice, if you hit the limit, you wait a while and then you can chat again.
On the other hand, the free plan does not list the newest models or image and video creation. Those come with the paid plans.
How to use Grok AI for free: step by step
You can use Grok in three places, and all three work with a free account.
On the web at grok.com
- Open grok.com in Chrome or another modern browser.
- Click Sign up and create a free account with your email or one of the sign in options shown.
- Type your question in the chat box and press Enter.
- For recent topics, ask Grok to search the web or X so it uses the latest information.
With the Grok app on your phone
- Download the free Grok app from the App Store on iPhone or the Play Store on Android.
- Log in using the account you created on grok.com.
- Tap the voice button to speak with Grok, or share a picture and ask what is in it.
Inside the X app
- Open the X app or go to x.com.
- Tap the Grok icon in the navigation bar.
- Start typing, or pick one of the suggested prompts.
These steps come from the X Help Center page on Grok. If you pay for X Premium, you can link your X account to Grok under Settings, then Account, so Grok can see your subscription and give you the matching benefits.
Age rule: Grok’s terms of service say you must be at least 13 years old, or the minimum age in your country. Teens aged 13 to 17 need permission from a parent or guardian.
Grok AI plans and prices in 2026
Below are the consumer plans listed on the official pricing page in October 2026. Prices are in US dollars, and they can change, so always check the pricing page before you pay.
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Free | 0 dollars | Chat, live web and X search, voice mode, connectors, with usage limits |
| SuperGrok | 30 dollars a month | Grok 4.6 model, Grok Bot, image and video creation, Expert mode, higher limits |
| SuperGrok Plus | 100 dollars a month | Everything in SuperGrok, 1080p videos, much higher usage, faster replies, priority access, early features |
In addition, the pricing page mentions SuperGrok Lite, SuperGrok Heavy and a Business plan, but it does not show prices for them on the main card list.
Since June 2026, paid plans share one weekly usage pool across Chat, Imagine, Voice and Build. When you run out, paid features pause until the pool resets each week. In that case, you can buy extra usage credits from 5 dollars on the web, or upgrade. You can see your usage under Settings, then Usage.
Which plan should you choose?
- Free suits you if you want to ask questions, follow news and try Grok for everyday tasks.
- SuperGrok makes sense if you want to create images or videos, use Grok Bot, or you keep hitting the free limits.
- SuperGrok Plus is only worth it if you create a lot of video or use Grok for hours every day.
Grok AI vs ChatGPT: which is better?
Both are strong, general AI assistants. Therefore, the better one depends on what you need.
| Grok | ChatGPT | |
|---|---|---|
| Made by | SpaceXAI (formerly xAI) | OpenAI |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Live information | Web plus real time X posts | Web search |
| Best known for | News and trends on X, direct answers | Wide range of tasks, large tool ecosystem |
| Image creation | Yes, with Imagine (paid) | Yes |
| Where to use it | grok.com, apps, X | chatgpt.com, apps |
Pick Grok if you follow news, trends and public conversations on X, or you want fast answers about what is happening right now.
On the other hand, pick ChatGPT if you want a mature set of tools for work, many integrations and a huge number of guides and prompts.
In fact, many people use both. Also, if you want more choices, see our list of free AI tools like ChatGPT, or read about Perplexity AI, another assistant that shows its sources.
Is Grok AI safe? Privacy and things to know
In general, Grok is safe to use for everyday questions if you follow the same common sense rules you would use with any AI chatbot.
Your data and AI training
Grok can learn from your X posts unless you switch it off. X explains the steps in its Help Center:
- Open X and go to Settings, then Privacy and Safety.
- Choose Data sharing and personalization.
- Select Grok and Third party Collaborators.
- Turn off the option that lets your data be used for training and fine tuning.
Besides that, making your X account private also keeps your posts out of training. On grok.com, you can manage your chats under Profile, then Settings, then Data Controls. For step by step help with Grok, ChatGPT, Gemini and others, read our guide on how to keep your chats out of AI training.
Grok can make mistakes
Like every chatbot, Grok can state wrong facts with confidence. Its live X search also means it can repeat rumours that are spreading on the platform. So check important answers, especially about health, money or legal topics, with a trusted source.
The image controversy
In January 2026 Grok faced heavy criticism after it was used to create sexualised edits of photos of real people. Regulators in several countries, including the UK, France, India and Australia, opened checks or investigations, according to Tech Policy Press. Afterwards, X said Grok would no longer edit images of real people into revealing clothing. For this reason, never upload photos of other people without their permission. To spot fake images online, see our guide on how to tell if a photo is AI generated.
Simple safety tips
- Do not share passwords, bank details or ID numbers in any chat.
- Do not upload private photos or documents of other people.
- Double check facts before you share them.
- Turn off training if you do not want your posts or chats used.
Tips to get better answers from Grok
- Give context. “I am a beginner” or “I run a small bakery” helps Grok fit the answer to you.
- Ask for a format. Request a table, a checklist or 5 bullet points.
- Ask it to search for recent topics. It helps Grok find the latest news instead of guessing.
- Ask for sources. Then open the links and check them.
- Follow up. Say “make it shorter” or “explain step 3 in more detail”. Grok remembers the chat.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Grok AI?
Grok is made by SpaceXAI, the AI company founded by Elon Musk as xAI. xAI joined SpaceX in February 2026 and now uses the SpaceXAI name.
Is Grok AI free to use?
Yes. The free plan includes chat, live web and X search and voice mode, with usage limits. SuperGrok, the main paid plan, costs 30 dollars a month.
Can I use Grok without an X account?
Yes. You can sign up at grok.com or in the Grok app with your email. In other words, you only need X if you want to use Grok inside X.
What is the latest Grok model?
As of October 2026, the newest model is Grok 4.7, released on 21 September 2026 for coding and knowledge work. The SuperGrok plan lists Grok 4.6 for everyday use in the Grok apps.
Can Grok make images?
Yes. Grok Imagine creates images and short videos from text. However, on the pricing page, image and video creation is part of the paid SuperGrok plans.
Is Grok better than ChatGPT?
Neither is better at everything. Overall, Grok stands out for real time news and X trends. Meanwhile, ChatGPT stands out for its wide range of tools and integrations. In the end, try both for free and see which one fits your tasks.
How do I stop Grok from using my data?
On X, go to Settings, then Privacy and Safety, then Data sharing and personalization, then Grok and Third party Collaborators, and turn off training. You can also make your account private.
Final thoughts
Grok AI has become a full AI assistant: chat, live news, voice, images, videos and agents, all in one place. In short, the free plan is enough for most everyday questions, and SuperGrok is worth it only if you create a lot of images and videos or keep hitting the limits. Above all, use it for what it does best, real time information, check important facts, and keep your privacy settings the way you want them.