In short
How they differ.
Worked out from the makers' own pages, read Oct 20, 2026. Prices change; check before you pay.
- Only Google AI Mode has a free plan.
- Google AI Mode's cheapest paid plan is cheaper: $4.99 a month against $5.
- Both run on the same kinds of device (web, phone app).
- Kagi Assistant shipped an update more recently (Oct 16, 2026).
Side by side
The details.
| Google AI Mode | Kagi Assistant | |
|---|---|---|
| Made by | Google · United States | Kagi · United States |
| What it says it is | “AI Mode is Google’s most powerful AI search experience.” | “Kagi Assistant combines the top large language models (LLMs) with optional results from Kagi Search” |
| Free plan | YesNo price for AI Mode itself on the pages read. Gemini 4 Argon in AI Mode is limited to "Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers 18 and above", with daily usage limits. | NoNo free plan; a free Trial is capped at 100 searches and 100 Assistant interactions. "Assistant is available to all members." |
| Plans | Free: freeGoogle AI Plus: $4.99 a monthGoogle AI Pro: $19.99 a monthGoogle AI Ultra: $99.99 a month | Trial: freeStarter: $5 a monthProfessional: $10 a monthUltimate: $25 a month |
| Runs on | web, Android, iOS | web, mobile apps |
| Latest update | More ways to connect with the web from Search, Oct 15, 2026 | Smarter search widgets, Privacy Pass upgrades, and a calmer Assistant, Oct 16, 2026 |
| Its terms | “Google uses people's interactions with Search and these AI experiences”What it does with your data · Google Search Help: AI Mode | “By default and unless otherwise stated, Kagi Assistant automatically deletes conversation threads after one day.”What it does with your data · Kagi Privacy Policy |
| Disputes | None on file | None on file |
| Sources | Prices, Oct 20, 2026 · Description · company-reported | Prices, Oct 20, 2026 · Description · company-reported |
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