In a bold strategic coup, the Elon Musk-led AI company xAI released Grok 4, their latest and most powerful language model, free of cost- a high-profile release moving in lockstep with OpenAI’s free-for-all launch of GPT-5, thus setting the stage for a big-money AI duel.
Grok 4, officially released at the beginning of July 2025, was formerly held under a glass case behind high-tier subscription services like SuperGrok and X Premium, with its heavier counterpart priced as much as $300 a month.
AI announced in mid-August that Grok 4 is now available for all users to use in Auto or Expert modes through the app.
However, its usage is limited, with reports suggesting a five-query limit every 12 hours, even though xAI maintains these are generous and temporary limits.
The rollout is more than just a goodwill gesture; it is a calculated response directly to the debut of ChatGPT-5.
The new model from OpenAI, reputed to be of “PhD-level” capabilities, quicker in responses and generating safer completions, has gotten mixed reactions from users, some tagging it as being “sterile” and overcautious.
On the other hand, Grok 4 promises fast responses, real-time data, loads of humor, and a looser intonation, increasingly suggesting why xAI is aggressively pushing it on a free-tier basis.
Shortly before Grok 4 was made available free of charge, xAI unleashed Grok Imagine to the U.S. user-base, a text-to-image/video AI setup, now available for Android users outside iOS, subject to regional restrictions.
Timing is everything!
OpenAI released GPT-5 into the wild, prompting xAI to come up with its strong contender that requires no fees, just a few clicks, and limited use!
The users are left behind to test, compare, and choose.
In the court of public opinion, free really does weigh more than a pay wall, even if limited.
Grok 4 vs GPT 5 AI Rivalry
Will we see the unfolding rivalry: is xAI simply responding to OpenAI’s moves, or are we witnessing a carefully constructed, multi-phased game wherein the rivalry is meant to craft AI narratives, influence user behavior, and dominate media headlines?
Is this all just a cut-throat competition or a carefully choreographed showdown whose ramifications spill outside of the tech world?
