In short
How they differ.
Worked out from the makers' own pages, read Oct 20, 2026. Prices change; check before you pay.
- Both have a free plan.
- Grok also has a web and phone app.
- Grok shipped an update more recently (Oct 14, 2026).
Side by side
The details.
| Doubao | Grok | |
|---|---|---|
| Made by | ByteDance · China | SpaceXSI (name shown on x.ai) · United States |
| What it says it is | “While Doubao's basic version will remain free to meet users' simple needs” | “SpaceXSI builds Grok, an AI chatbot with voice chat, image and video generation, real-time search, and advanced reasoning.” |
| Free plan | YesAFP (2026-06-25): "Free users will be able to use basic search functions, but face limits in video and image generation." | YesFree: "Limited Chat requests" and "Limited agent requests". |
| Plans | Free (basic): freeStandard: not in US$Enhanced: not in US$Professional: not in US$ | Free: freePlus: $8 a monthPremium: $30 a monthSuper: $100 a monthUltra: $200 a month |
| Runs on | Not stated | web (grok.com), mobile app, X |
| Latest update | ByteDance rolls out paid subscriptions for China's largest AI chatbot (AFP), Jun 25, 2026 | Introducing Grok Voice 3.0, Oct 14, 2026 |
| Its terms | — | “You control whether your data is used for training Grok.”What it does with your data · xAI Consumer FAQs |
| Disputes | None on file | None on file |
| Sources | Prices, May 5, 2026 · Description · news-reported | Prices, Oct 20, 2026 · Description · company-reported |
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