Gemini

Consumer Free Tier Ratings

Last Reviewed: 2026-03-23

Public content with low sensitivity. Acceptable even with training enabled.

Imagen available for image generation. Public content is low risk.

No sensitive data involved in public research queries.

Safe for public-facing educational materials.

Safe only if source content is already public and contains no PII.

Yes

Chats may be used to improve Google services and train AI models. Gemini Apps Activity settings control whether data is used for AI improvement, but even with activity off, Google uses chats to respond and may use them to protect services.

Yes

Users can manage Gemini Apps Activity settings to opt out of data being used for AI training. However, turning off activity also removes chat history access. Human review of some data may still occur.

By default

Human reviewers (including trained reviewers from service providers) review some data. Google advises: 'Please don't enter confidential information that you wouldn't want a reviewer to see.' Reviewed chat data is retained up to 3 years even if you delete your activity.

18 months default (user-configurable)

Default auto-delete is 18 months; users can change to 3 months, 36 months, or indefinite. Chats reviewed by human reviewers are retained up to 3 years and are NOT deleted when you delete your activity.

Consumer grade

Standard Google account security. No enterprise certifications apply to consumer accounts.

Workspace for Nonprofits is FREE — and now includes 10+ premium AI features

Unlike competitors offering 20-75% discounts, Google provides Gemini with enterprise-grade protection completely free for up to 2,000 nonprofit users. As of June 2025, this includes Deep Research, Gemini Live, Audio Overviews, Google Vids (Veo 3), Gems, NotebookLM with advanced features, and more. This is the best nonprofit AI deal available.

Consumer vs Workspace: Night and day — even at $249.99/month

Consumer Gemini (free, AI Pro at $19.99/month, or AI Ultra at $249.99/month) uses your chats for training and allows human review. Workspace Gemini does neither. The $249.99/month AI Ultra plan has the same privacy risks as the free tier. Don't pay for consumer plans when Workspace is free for nonprofits.

Deep Workspace integration with more features than ever

Gemini works inside Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Meet. Paid Business tiers add Help me write, side panel, and Take notes for me in Meet. For nonprofits already in Google's ecosystem, this integration is unmatched.

HIPAA nuance: enterprise protections vs formal BAA

The free Workspace for Nonprofits plan includes enterprise data protections that Google says meet HIPAA compliance certifications. However, signing a formal HIPAA Business Associate Agreement (BAA) requires a paid Workspace plan. Healthcare nonprofits that need a signed BAA should upgrade to paid Business or Enterprise plans.

Gemini Advanced rebranded to Google AI Pro (May 2025)

At Google I/O 2025, Google rebranded Google One AI Premium (Gemini Advanced) to 'Google AI Pro' at $19.99/month and introduced 'Google AI Ultra' at $249.99/month. Neither offers nonprofit discounts and both use consumer data policies.

2026-02-09

Google confirms 10+ premium AI features now included in free Workspace for Nonprofits: Deep Research, Gemini Live, Audio Overviews, Canvas, Google Vids powered by Veo 3, Gems, NotebookLM advanced features. Google explicitly states these meet 'HIPAA, GDPR, SOC, and other compliance certifications.'

2025-09-05

Common Sense Media rated consumer Gemini 'High Risk' for under-13 and teen users due to content safety concerns (inappropriate content, mental health advice). Separate from the Workspace for Education Privacy Seal.

2025-06-11

Google for Nonprofits expanded to 100+ new countries and launched 10+ new no-cost AI features in Workspace for Nonprofits. In first 3 months since AI feature launch, 180% more nonprofit staff used the Gemini app.

2025-06-29

Gemini in Google Workspace for Education earned the Common Sense Privacy Verified Seal — the most rigorous Common Sense rating, requiring 200+ privacy questions, quarterly check-ups, and annual policy updates.

2025-05-20

Google I/O 2025: 'Gemini Advanced' / Google One AI Premium rebranded to 'Google AI Pro' at $19.99/month. New 'Google AI Ultra' plan launched at $249.99/month. Neither offers nonprofit discounts; both retain consumer data policies.

2025-03-25

Gemini 2.5 Pro released — first 'thinking' model with reasoning capabilities. Available in AI Studio, Vertex AI, and Gemini app for AI Pro users. 1 million token context window (2 million coming).

2025-03-18

Gemini in Workspace apps and the Gemini app became first generative AI assistants to achieve FedRAMP High authorization. Covers Gemini in Docs, Drive, Gmail, Meet, Sheets, Slides, and the Gemini app.

2025-02-06

Gemini app and NotebookLM announced as included in Workspace for Nonprofits with enterprise-grade data protection (no human review, no training).

2025-01-15

Workspace pricing increased. Gemini Business/Enterprise add-ons discontinued — AI features now included in base Workspace plans.

For organizations with 5+ staff

Apply for Google for Nonprofits now and activate Workspace for Nonprofits. Free for up to 2,000 users, with enterprise-grade Gemini protection AND 10+ premium AI features including Deep Research, Gemini Live, Google Vids, and NotebookLM. The value is extraordinary — no other AI vendor matches this for nonprofits.

For organizations with fewer than 5 staff

Activate Gemini in Workspace for Nonprofits immediately. If you're already using Google Workspace, it's included with enterprise protection at no additional cost. This is the easiest AI adoption path available for any size organization.

For health data or vulnerable populations

The free Workspace for Nonprofits tier includes enterprise data protections that Google confirms meet HIPAA compliance certifications. However, if your organization requires a formally signed HIPAA Business Associate Agreement (BAA), you must upgrade to a paid Workspace Business or Enterprise plan. Contact Google for nonprofit Enterprise pricing with 70%+ discount.

Paying For Gemini Advanced

Stop. Cancel your AI Pro (formerly Gemini Advanced) subscription and switch to Workspace for Nonprofits. You'll get better privacy protection AND more AI features for free. Consumer subscriptions at any price point do not provide enterprise data protections.

Already Using Google Workspace

Activate Gemini immediately. It's included with enterprise protection at no additional cost for nonprofits, and now includes 10+ premium AI features. This is the easiest AI adoption path available.

Not Yet On Workspace

Apply for Google for Nonprofits now. Free Workspace for up to 2,000 users, free Gemini with enterprise protection, plus Deep Research, Gemini Live, Google Vids, NotebookLM, and more. The value is extraordinary.