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Which is better for students, ChatGPT or Gemini?
Gemini is the easier pick today: the $240 in Google Gemini credits is still listed, while the ChatGPT Plus student offer closed on 31 October 2026.
That timing decides most of this comparison. A free plan you can still claim beats a better-sounding one that has ended. The Gemini card shows who qualifies and how to claim, and AI Perks tracks more student offers beyond it.
This article compares the two on free plans, study features and what you pay afterwards. Then it gives a verdict by use case and lists the catalogue perks worth grabbing.
Top AI Credits for Startups
Apply directly through these verified programs.
ChatGPT $80
Eligible for early-stage startups
Google Gemini $240
Eligible for early-stage startups
GitHub Up to $120
Eligible for early-stage startups
Notion $120
Eligible for early-stage startups
Figma $1,080
Eligible for early-stage startups
Perplexity $84
Eligible for early-stage startups
What do the free plans give you?
The Google AI Plus student plan is free of charge for the offer period. It includes 2× higher usage limits, 400 GB of cloud storage, access to Gemini Omni, and unlimited uploads for Study Notebooks, Visuals and Live. It also includes video generation with Gemini Omni.
The offer can be redeemed until 31 December 2026. Both new users and students whose 2025 AI Pro trial has expired can qualify.
| Item | ChatGPT | Gemini |
|---|---|---|
| Student offer status on 2 November 2026 | ChatGPT Plus offer closed 31 October 2026 | Google AI Plus offer open until 31 December 2026 |
| Usage limits | Not covered here | 2× higher |
| Storage | Not covered here | 400 GB |
| Uploads | Not covered here | Unlimited for Study Notebooks, Visuals and Live |
| Video generation | Not covered here | Yes, with Gemini Omni |
The ChatGPT column is thin on purpose. With the Plus student offer closed, there is no current free student plan from OpenAI to compare line by line.
Which one is better for studying?
Gemini positions itself as a study aid, not only an answer generator: "designed to help you study more effectively, not just generate answers." That shows in the feature list, which is built around your own course material.
- Study notebooks: turn uploaded syllabi, lecture notes and course materials into personalised study tools.
- Homework help: upload an image or file and get step-by-step guidance on how to reach the answer.
- Gemini Live: talk through challenging concepts in real time.
- Quizzes: turn your notes and content into personalised quizzes.
- Visualisations: interactive visuals to see how coursework concepts work.
- Student hub: an in-app space where your courses and content connect.
Responses can also be grounded in your own uploaded materials, so answers match your course rather than the internet at large. One practical point: for prompts that need course materials, upload your files before you hit submit.
I do not cover ChatGPT's study features in detail here. If you rely on them, check ChatGPT directly and compare against the list above.
Top AI Credits for Startups
Apply directly through these verified programs.
ChatGPT $80
Eligible for early-stage startups
Google Gemini $240
Eligible for early-stage startups
GitHub Up to $120
Eligible for early-stage startups
Notion $120
Eligible for early-stage startups
Figma $1,080
Eligible for early-stage startups
Perplexity $84
Eligible for early-stage startups
What do you pay after the free period?
The plan renews automatically unless you cancel, and you can cancel at any time. The price depends on the country page you sign up from.
| Country page | Price after the free period |
|---|---|
| UK | £4.49/month |
| Antigua | $4.99/month |
| Kyrgyzstan | US$4.99/month |
| India | ₹399/month |
| Kenya | KES 900/month |
| Singapore | SGD 6.98/month |
| Sri Lanka | LKR 1,600/month |
| Nigeria | NGN 7,700/month |
| Page labelled mp | US$7.99/month |
The gap is real. The page labelled mp charges US$7.99 against US$4.99 on the Kyrgyzstan page, a difference of US$3.00 a month. Note the renewal price before you start, so the first charge is never a surprise.
For more on how the plan works, see Gemini Student Offer 2026: Google AI Pro Free for Students.
Which should you pick for each use?
| Your main need | Better pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Studying from your own notes and slides | Gemini | Study notebooks, quizzes and grounded responses |
| Talking through hard concepts | Gemini | Gemini Live for real-time conversation |
| Video generation | Gemini | Gemini Omni video is part of the plan |
| Free access right now | Gemini | ChatGPT Plus student offer closed 31 October 2026 |
| Coding projects | OpenAI | $100 in OpenAI Codex credits is listed for students |
| Research and note-taking | Perplexity and Notion | $84 and $120 in education credits |
The honest verdict: Gemini wins for general student use because its offer is open and its study tools are documented. ChatGPT is not out of the picture, since OpenAI's Codex credit is still in the catalogue. You do not have to pick one, either. These perks stack.
Top AI Credits for Startups
Apply directly through these verified programs.
ChatGPT $80
Eligible for early-stage startups
Google Gemini $240
Eligible for early-stage startups
GitHub Up to $120
Eligible for early-stage startups
Notion $120
Eligible for early-stage startups
Figma $1,080
Eligible for early-stage startups
Perplexity $84
Eligible for early-stage startups
Which student perks can you stack?
Each row below links to its own card. The card shows who qualifies and how to claim, and it is where you sign up.
| Company | Free credits | How to get |
|---|---|---|
| Google Gemini (students) | $240 | Get this perk |
| Perplexity (education) | $84 | Get this perk |
| Notion (education) | $120 | Get this perk |
| OpenAI Codex (students) | $100 | Get this perk |
Total across these four perks: $240 + $84 + $120 + $100 = $544 in free credits.
That is more than any single chatbot subscription would hand you. Put Gemini on coursework, Notion on notes, Perplexity on research and Codex on code. For a wider view, read Free AI Credits for Students 2026: Every Program Compared and AI Student Discount 2026: Every Verified Offer Listed.
How do you get started? Step by step
Step 1: Get your credits via AI Perks. Open getaiperks.com, find the Google Gemini student card and read who qualifies and how to claim. Then check the other student and education cards, since the catalogue tracks more than the four above.
Step 2: Decide your main use. Studying from notes points to Gemini. Coding points to the OpenAI Codex card. Pick one main tool first so you learn it properly.
Step 3: Upload before you prompt. For any prompt that needs course material, add the syllabus, lecture notes or files first, then submit. This is what makes responses grounded in your own materials.
Step 4: Build a study notebook. Load your syllabi and notes, then ask for personalised quizzes and visualisations on the topics you find hardest.
Step 5: Check the renewal price. Look up your country in the table above and decide before the free period ends whether the monthly price is worth it. Cancelling is allowed at any time.
For task-by-task picks, see Free AI for Students 2026: Best Tools by Study Task.
Top AI Credits for Startups
Apply directly through these verified programs.
ChatGPT $80
Eligible for early-stage startups
Google Gemini $240
Eligible for early-stage startups
GitHub Up to $120
Eligible for early-stage startups
Notion $120
Eligible for early-stage startups
Figma $1,080
Eligible for early-stage startups
Perplexity $84
Eligible for early-stage startups
FAQ
Is ChatGPT or Gemini better for students?
Gemini is the stronger choice right now. Its student plan is open, includes 2× usage limits and 400 GB of storage, and has study notebooks built for your course files. The ChatGPT Plus student offer closed on 31 October 2026, so it cannot be claimed any more.
Can I still get the ChatGPT Plus student offer?
No. It closed on 31 October 2026, and today is 2 November 2026. Other student perks are still listed, including $100 in OpenAI Codex credits. Browse getaiperks.com for current student and education cards.
Is Gemini free for students?
The Google AI Plus student plan is free of charge during the offer period, and it can be redeemed until 31 December 2026. Afterwards it renews at a monthly price, such as £4.49 in the UK, unless you cancel. See the Google Gemini card for details.
What does Gemini offer for studying?
Study notebooks, step-by-step homework help from an uploaded image or file, Gemini Live conversations, personalised quizzes, interactive visualisations and a student hub. Responses can be grounded in your own uploaded materials. The plan also includes unlimited uploads for Study Notebooks, Visuals and Live.
How much does Gemini cost after the free period?
It depends on the country page. Examples: £4.49/month in the UK, ₹399/month in India, SGD 6.98/month in Singapore and US$7.99/month on the page labelled mp. You can cancel at any time. The full list is in the pricing table above.
Can I use more than one student perk?
Yes. The catalogue lists separate perks for Gemini ($240), Perplexity ($84), Notion ($120) and OpenAI Codex ($100), and you can claim them side by side. Each has its own card showing who qualifies and how to claim. Browse them all at getaiperks.com.
Ready to pick your AI for the semester?
Gemini leads on free access and study tools, and the catalogue adds more on top. Open the cards, check who qualifies, and claim what fits your courses.
Get free AI credits at getaiperks.com →
Student offers change fast, so check the live cards at getaiperks.com before you decide.
