Grok

Grok is xAI’s flagship AI assistant, created by Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence company. Launched in November 2023 as an X-exclusive chatbot, Grok has evolved into a standalone platform with 64 million monthly active users and models that top industry benchmarks. The platform differentiates through real-time X/Twitter integration, fewer content restrictions, and a distinctive personality that delivers direct, unhedged responses.

As of December 2025, Grok runs on Grok 4.1—currently leading LMArena’s Text Arena with an Elo score of 1,483. Whether you’re using the free tier, paying $30/month for SuperGrok, or accessing Grok 4 Heavy’s multi-agent capabilities at $300/month, this guide covers everything you need to know.

Quick stats

Pricing breakdown

Grok offers five tiers targeting different use cases and budgets. All prices are in USD.

Free — $0

The free tier provides genuine utility, not just a teaser. You get:

• Grok 3 access — Approximately 10-20 requests every 2 hours
• DeepSearch — 10 queries per day for comprehensive research
• Think mode — 10 queries per day for complex reasoning
• Web search — Real-time information access
• Basic voice mode — Talk to Grok
• Limited image generation — Sample Aurora capabilities

Limitations: No Grok 4 access, constrained rate limits, limited image generation, slower during peak hours.

Worth it for: Casual users, trying before buying, anyone wanting to test Grok’s capabilities.

X Premium — $8/month

Entry-level paid access bundled with X features:

• Basic Grok access via X platform
• Edit posts — Modify tweets after posting
• Longer tweets — Extended character limits
• Reader mode — Cleaner reading experience

Worth it for: X power users who want basic Grok alongside social features.

X Premium+ — $40/month

The full Grok experience for X subscribers. Everything in Premium, plus:

• Full Grok 4 access — Latest flagship model
• 50 default requests every 2 hours
• 20 Think requests every 2 hours — Extended reasoning
• 20 DeepSearch queries every 2 hours
• Aurora image generation — Photorealistic images with text rendering
• Ad-free X — No advertisements while browsing
• Blue checkmark — Verification badge

Worth it for: Heavy X users who want maximum Grok capabilities integrated with their social media workflow.

Subscribe via X →

SuperGrok — $30/month or $300/year

Standalone premium access without requiring X subscription:

• Full Grok 4 access — No X subscription needed
• 128K context window — Handle long documents
• Unlimited Aurora — No caps on image generation
• All voice personalities — 11+ distinct voices including “Unhinged” and “Zen Master”
• Projects — Organised workspaces for ongoing work
• Priority support

X Premium+ subscribers receive 50% off SuperGrok. X Premium subscribers get 25% off.

Worth it for: Users who want Grok’s full capabilities without an X subscription, power users needing unlimited image generation.

Subscribe at grok.com →

SuperGrok Heavy — $300/month or $3,000/year

For users requiring maximum capability:

• Grok 4 Heavy — Multi-agent architecture with five coordinated AI instances
• 256K context window — Double the standard SuperGrok context
• Priority GPU allocation — Faster responses during high demand
• Early access — First to receive new features and models
• Extended reasoning — Longer thinking time for complex problems

Worth it for: Researchers, professionals tackling complex problems, users who need the absolute best reasoning performance. Grok 4 Heavy achieved 100% on AIME 2025 and 44.4% on Humanity’s Last Exam.

Grok Business — $30/user/month

Team collaboration features:

• Shared workspaces — Collaborate across team members
• Connectors — Google Drive, SharePoint, GitHub integration
• Admin controls — User management and permissions
• Business data protections — Not used for training

Minimum 2 users.

Enquire about Business →

Models powering Grok

Grok’s model lineup has expanded significantly through 2025. Here’s what’s currently available:

Grok 4.1 (November 2025)

The latest flagship model, described as having enhanced emotional intelligence and halved hallucination rates compared to Grok 4. Key improvements:

• 2 million token context window — Massive documents and codebases
• Reduced hallucinations — 50% fewer than Grok 4
• Improved instruction following — Better at complex multi-step tasks
• Currently #1 on LMArena — Elo score of 1,483

Grok 4 (July 2025)

The breakthrough reasoning model that established Grok as a frontier AI contender:

• 256K context window — Up from Grok 3’s limits
• Native tool integration — Function calling, code execution
• 95% on AIME 2025 — Elite mathematical reasoning
• 87.5% on GPQA Diamond — Graduate-level science questions

Grok 4 Heavy (July 2025)

A multi-agent variant where five coordinated AI instances collaborate:

• 100% on AIME 2025 — Perfect score on competition mathematics
• 44.4% on Humanity’s Last Exam — Industry-leading (vs Gemini 2.5 Pro’s 26.9%)
• 16.2% on ARC-AGI-2 — Strong abstract reasoning
• Multi-agent architecture — Agents debate and verify each other’s work

Grok 3 (February 2025)

The model that powers the free tier:

• 1 million token context — Handles very long documents
• DeepSearch — Comprehensive research capabilities
• Think mode — Extended reasoning for complex problems
• Still highly capable — Strong performance for most tasks

Grok Code Fast 1 (August 2025)

Specialised for coding tasks:

• 70.8% on SWE-bench Verified — Strong coding benchmark
• Optimised for agentic workflows — IDE integrations
• Available via API — $0.20/1M input, $1.50/1M output

Features deep dive

DeepSearch

DeepSearch operates as an AI research agent that synthesises information across the web plus live X data. Unlike ChatGPT’s Deep Research which can take 30+ minutes, DeepSearch typically delivers comprehensive reports in under a minute.

Capabilities:

• Pulls from 40+ sources per query with DeeperSearch preset
• Accesses real-time X/Twitter posts and sentiment
• Cross-references multiple information sources
• Provides inline citations throughout

Rate limits: Free users get 10/day. Premium+ and SuperGrok users get 20 every 2 hours.

Aurora image generation

Aurora uses an autoregressive mixture-of-experts architecture—fundamentally different from the diffusion approach used by DALL-E and Midjourney.

Key capabilities:

• Superior text rendering — Legible text in generated images
• Photorealistic output — High-quality images across styles
• Fewer restrictions — Can generate public figures, logos, branded content
• Transparent backgrounds — Useful for design work
• Video generation — Via Grok Imagine, 6-15 second clips with audio

SuperGrok users get unlimited generation. Free tier access is limited.

Voice mode

Grok’s voice mode offers 11+ distinct personalities:

• Helpful — Default, balanced assistant
• Unhinged — Witty, can curse, irreverent
• Genius — Educational, explanatory
• Romantic — Warmer, more personal tone
• Zen Master — Calm, philosophical
• Country — Southern charm
• Announcer — Dramatic delivery

The Grok 4 update added Grok Vision—point your phone camera during voice conversations for real-time visual analysis and discussion.

X/Twitter integration

Grok’s most unique capability. No competitor has direct API access to X’s data:

• Real-time posts — Access to live tweets and discussions
• Trending analysis — Understand what’s happening now
• Sentiment tracking — Gauge public opinion on topics
• User discovery — Find relevant accounts and discussions
• Polymarket integration — Prediction market data alongside social discourse

File uploads and code execution

Grok supports extensive file handling:

Supported formats: PDF, DOCX, XLSX, CSV, TXT, PNG, JPEG, GIF, code files

Size limits: Up to 25MB per file with OCR capability

Code interpreter: Stateful Python environment with NumPy, Pandas, Matplotlib, and PyTorch pre-installed. Useful for data analysis, visualisation, and calculations.

Projects

Available to SuperGrok subscribers, Projects organises related conversations and files:

• Persistent context — Maintains information across chats
• File organisation — Group related documents
• Custom instructions — Set project-specific preferences

Business connectors

Grok Business includes integrations with:

• Google Drive — Access documents directly
• SharePoint — Microsoft ecosystem integration
• GitHub — Repository access for coding workflows

Strengths

Real-time X integration — No competitor can match Grok’s access to live social media data. For news, trends, and sentiment analysis, this is a genuine differentiator.

DeepSearch speed — Comprehensive research in under a minute versus competitors that take 30+ minutes for similar depth.

Benchmark performance — Grok 4 Heavy’s 100% on AIME 2025 and 44.4% on Humanity’s Last Exam represent industry-leading results for reasoning tasks.

Aurora’s flexibility — Fewer content restrictions on image generation. Can create public figures, logos, and branded content that other tools refuse.

Voice personality variety — 11+ distinct voices versus competitors’ limited options. The “Unhinged” mode appeals to users wanting more personality.

Direct responses — Grok delivers answers without excessive hedging or moralising. Users report appreciating the straightforward communication style.

Competitive API pricing — Grok 4.1 Fast at $0.20/1M input tokens undercuts comparable OpenAI offerings.

Limitations

Smaller ecosystem — No equivalent to ChatGPT’s 3M+ Custom GPTs or extensive third-party integrations.

Response speed on Grok 4 — Approximately 75 tokens/second versus GPT-4o’s 188. Complex queries can take noticeably longer.

No enterprise certifications — Lacks SOC 2, ISO certifications that enterprise customers often require.

Coding trails Claude — Grok 4’s 58.6% on SWE-bench Verified is solid but behind Claude Sonnet 4.5’s 77.2%.

Context window gaps — While Grok 4.1’s 2M tokens is competitive, the standard Grok 4’s 256K trails Gemini’s 1M+ offering.

Limited platform availability — No desktop apps. Available via web, mobile, X integration, and Tesla vehicles.

Reliability concerns — Some users report inconsistent quality and confident-sounding incorrect answers.

Who should use Grok?

Great for:

• News and trend followers — Real-time X integration is unmatched for understanding what’s happening now
• Researchers — DeepSearch delivers comprehensive results faster than alternatives
• Creative users — Aurora’s fewer restrictions enable more creative freedom
• X power users — Seamless integration with existing X Premium+ subscription
• Users wanting personality — Voice modes and communication style stand out from competitors
• Math and science — Grok 4 Heavy’s benchmark scores are industry-leading

Look elsewhere if:

• Enterprise compliance is essential — ChatGPT and Claude offer more certifications
• Maximum coding accuracy — Claude Opus 4.5 and Sonnet 4.5 lead SWE-bench
• Google ecosystem integration — Gemini’s Workspace integration is seamless
• Extensive app ecosystem — ChatGPT’s Custom GPTs offer more third-party tools
• Desktop app preference — ChatGPT and Claude offer dedicated desktop applications

Historical timeline

Privacy and data handling

Understanding how xAI handles your data:

Training data policy

To opt out: Navigate to Settings in Grok or X, find privacy controls, and disable data sharing for model improvement.

Data retention

• Consumer users: Data retained until you delete it
• API/Business users: Automatic deletion within 30 days
• xAI states: No selling of data to third parties

Enterprise protections

Grok Business and API users receive:

• No training on inputs/outputs — Your data stays private
• 30-day deletion — Automatic removal
• Admin controls — Manage team access and permissions

Regional considerations

xAI has faced regulatory scrutiny in Europe. Ireland’s Data Protection Commission opened a GDPR investigation in April 2025. X agreed to limit EU user data usage in September 2024. Users in some markets may have restricted access.

Grok vs alternatives

Quick comparison

Where Grok wins

• Real-time X/Twitter access — Exclusive access to live social data no competitor can match
• DeepSearch speed — Minutes versus competitors’ 30+ minute research times
• Image generation freedom — Aurora handles content other tools refuse
• Voice personality variety — 11+ distinct voices with real character
• Mathematical reasoning — Grok 4 Heavy’s 100% AIME score leads the field

Where competitors win

• ChatGPT — Persistent memory across all conversations, 3M+ Custom GPTs, largest ecosystem
• Claude — Better coding (77.2% vs 58.6% SWE-bench), superior long-form writing, enterprise certifications
• Gemini — Larger context (1M+ tokens), native Google Workspace integration, aggressive API pricing

Getting started

Web

1. Go to grok.com
2. Sign up with email, X account, Google, or Apple
3. Start chatting—free tier available immediately

Mobile

• iOS: Download from App Store
• Android: Download from Google Play

Via X

1. Subscribe to X Premium ($8/mo) or Premium+ ($40/mo)
2. Access Grok directly within the X app or website
3. Look for the Grok icon in the X interface

Tesla

Available in Tesla vehicles with software version 2025.26 or later. Access via the car’s infotainment system.

Tips for new users

Try DeepSearch for research: For comprehensive answers, use DeepSearch mode rather than standard chat. It synthesises multiple sources automatically.

Experiment with voice personalities: Tap the voice icon and explore different personalities. “Unhinged” delivers witty responses; “Genius” explains concepts thoroughly.

Use Think mode for complex problems: When you need step-by-step reasoning on math, logic, or analysis, enable Think mode for better results.

Leverage X integration: Ask about trending topics, sentiment on news stories, or what people are saying about specific subjects—Grok can pull real-time X data.

Try Aurora for images: The image generator handles requests other tools refuse. Useful for creating content involving public figures or branded materials.

FAQs

Is Grok free?

Yes. The free tier includes Grok 3 access (10-20 requests/2 hours), 10 DeepSearch queries daily, 10 Think mode queries daily, and limited image generation. Functional for casual use.

Do I need an X subscription to use Grok?

No. SuperGrok ($30/month) provides full access without any X subscription. The free tier at grok.com also works without X.

Is SuperGrok worth $30/month?

If you regularly hit free tier limits, want unlimited image generation, or prefer not having an X subscription—yes. The standalone access and all voice personalities make it worthwhile for regular users.

What about the $300/month SuperGrok Heavy?

Only for users who need maximum reasoning capability. Grok 4 Heavy’s multi-agent approach and perfect AIME score serve researchers and professionals with complex analytical needs. Most users won’t need this tier.

Can Grok access the internet?

Yes. All tiers include web search. DeepSearch goes further, synthesising information from 40+ sources plus live X data in comprehensive reports.

Can Grok see what’s happening on X/Twitter?

Yes. This is Grok’s unique advantage. It has real-time access to X posts, trending topics, and sentiment—data no competitor can access.

Is my data private?

Consumer data may be used for training by default—you can opt out in settings. Grok Business and API data is never used for training and is deleted within 30 days.

Can Grok generate images?

Yes. Aurora produces photorealistic images with good text rendering. It has fewer content restrictions than DALL-E or Midjourney, allowing generation of public figures and branded content.

How does Grok compare to ChatGPT for coding?

ChatGPT with GPT-5.1 and Claude both score higher on coding benchmarks. Grok 4’s 58.6% SWE-bench trails Claude Sonnet 4.5’s 77.2%. For serious coding work, Claude or ChatGPT may be better choices.

What file types can I upload?

PDF, DOCX, XLSX, CSV, TXT, PNG, JPEG, GIF, and code files. Up to 25MB per file with OCR capability for images.

Verdict

Grok has transformed from an X-exclusive novelty into a legitimate frontier AI contender. The combination of Grok 4.1’s benchmark-topping performance, DeepSearch’s research speed, Aurora’s creative freedom, and exclusive real-time X integration creates a differentiated platform that stands apart from the competition.

Free tier: Genuinely useful for casual research and exploration. Grok 3’s capabilities, daily DeepSearch queries, and Think mode provide real value without payment.

X Premium+ ($40/month): Best value if you’re already an X power user. Full Grok 4 access bundled with ad-free browsing and verification makes sense for heavy X users.

SuperGrok ($30/month): The sweet spot for users wanting Grok without X. Standalone access, unlimited Aurora, all voice personalities, and Projects justify the cost for regular users.

SuperGrok Heavy ($300/month): Only for researchers and professionals who need maximum reasoning capability. The multi-agent architecture and industry-leading benchmark scores serve specific advanced use cases.

Grok excels at real-time research, social media analysis, and users who appreciate straightforward responses without excessive hedging. It trails ChatGPT in ecosystem breadth and Claude in coding accuracy, but offers unique capabilities neither can match. For users wanting real-time social data integration and fewer content restrictions, Grok represents the best option available.

Official links