Musk Makes Grok 4 Free Right After GPT-5 Debut

Updated:August 13, 2025

Reading Time: 2 minutes
Grok 4

Elon Musk’s xAI has opened the doors to Grok 4 for everyone. 

That’s right, this high-end AI model is now free to use, no subscription needed. 

It’s a generous offer, but there’s a little twist. Free users get a handful of queries per period.

Two Ways to Interact with Grok

You’ve got a choice:

  • Auto mode– Grok decides whether to use its full brainpower depending on your query.
  • Expert mode– You call the shots and always get Grok 4’s maximum reasoning power. 

Both modes are open to free users, something you don’t always see in AI tools 

Just keep in mind the free tier gives you about five prompts every 12 hours. Not endless, but enough to get a real feel for the model.

Why This Move Makes Sense

Think of it as a sneak-peek strategy. 

You get a taste of Grok 4’s smarts, and if you want more, like Grok 4 Heavy or unlimited use, you’ll get a paid plan.

A similar vibe is happening with the Grok Imagine feature: text-to-image and video generation. 

That’s free too, but only for U.S. users on Android for now.

Heavy capabilities still hide behind subscriptions.

Grok 4 Meets GPT-5 Head-On

OpenAI just rolled out GPT-5, and now xAI responds with a bold counter: free access to Grok 4. 

It’s a clear move in the growing AI rivalry.

Grok 4 had already been praised for strong reasoning, fast responses, and real-time search integration. 

This free rollout gives AI enthusiasts a chance to compare it side by side with GPT-5, and maybe pick a favorite.

What You Can Test Right Now

Here’s a little DIY checklist to explore Grok 4 yourself:

Task TypeWhat to TryWhy It Matters
Quick Q&AAsk a simple questionSee speed and clarity
Deep explanationPose a multi-part or technical queryTest reasoning, especially in Expert mode
Creative promptTry “Write a short poem about Lagos at night”Explore Grok 4’s flair and imagination
Repeat useHit your limit, then wait and return laterExperience how the usage cap works

The Bigger Picture

Whether you’re team Grok or team GPT, one thing is clear: the AI race isn’t slowing down. 

With each debut and bold move, the tools we use to think, create, and solve problems are evolving at lightning speed.

Grok 4’s free access is more than a marketing stunt; it’s an invitation. 

An invitation to explore what’s possible, compare, experiment, and maybe even switch loyalties. 

So, will you spend your next prompt with Grok 4, GPT-5, or both? The real winner in this battle might just be you.

Onome

Contributor & AI Expert