Grok is a modern AI system from xAI, a company founded by Elon Musk. In this review, we examine Grok's capabilities in detail, compare it with key competitors, analyze its strengths and weaknesses, and explore the available pricing plans.
James Wilson
What is Grok?
Grok is a new AI system developed by xAI under the leadership of Elon Musk. The system was officially launched in late 2023 and was positioned as an alternative to existing chatbots with a more unrestricted approach to responses and a "sense of humor." The name "Grok" comes from Robert Heinlein's science fiction novel "Stranger in a Strange Land" and means "to understand intuitively or by empathy."
Key Characteristics of Grok
The Grok system is available in several versions:
- Grok-1 — the initial version with an 8K token context window
- Grok-1.5 — an improved version with a 128K token context window
- Grok-2 — the latest version with enhanced analytical capabilities and multimodal functions
Functional Capabilities
Grok offers the following key capabilities:
- Creating and editing texts in various formats
- Solving complex mathematical and logical problems
- Accessing up-to-date information through the internet
- Creating code and solving programming tasks
- Data processing and analysis
- A more casual tone of communication compared to competitors
Comparison with Major Competitors
Grok vs Claude
Grok advantages:
- Integration with X (formerly Twitter)
- Access to current information via the internet
- A more unrestricted approach to answering controversial topics
Claude advantages:
- Larger context volume (up to 200K tokens)
- More consistent and well-reasoned responses
- Better capabilities for analyzing long documents
Grok vs ChatGPT
Grok advantages:
- Fewer restrictions in responses
- More informal tone of communication
- Integration with Musk's ecosystem
ChatGPT advantages:
- More developed ecosystem of plugins and integrations
- GPT-4o multimodal capabilities
- Wider distribution and accessibility
Grok vs Gemini
Grok advantages:
- Less content filtering
- More straightforward answers
Gemini advantages:
- Deep integration with Google services
- Better multimodal capabilities
- Broader information search capabilities
Grok's Strengths
- Real-time access: Grok has the ability to retrieve information from the internet, allowing it to provide up-to-date answers
- Informal communication: The system is specifically designed to be less restricted in its responses and to have elements of humor
- Mathematical abilities: Grok demonstrates high performance in solving mathematical problems
- Integration with X (Twitter): Convenient access for X Premium+ subscribers
Grok's Weaknesses
- Relative newness: As a newer system, Grok has not yet reached the maturity level of some competitors
- Limited availability: The system is only available to X Premium+ subscribers
- Inconsistency: It may sometimes provide contradictory answers
- Fewer additional features: Compared to some competitors, it has fewer additional tools and integrations
Pricing Policy
Access to Grok is provided exclusively through an X Premium+ subscription (formerly Twitter Blue). The subscription cost is:
- Web version: $16 per month or $168 per year
- Mobile devices (iOS/Android): $19 per month or $198 per year (higher price due to app store commission fees)
For comparison:
- ChatGPT Plus: $20 per month
- Claude Pro: $20 per month or $204 per year
- Gemini Advanced: $19.99 per month (included in the Google One AI Premium subscription)
Who is Grok Best For?
Grok can be particularly useful for the following categories of users:
- Active X (Twitter) users who are already considering a Premium+ subscription
- Those who value a less restricted approach to AI responses
- Users who need an assistant with regularly updated information from the internet
- Developers using Musk's ecosystem
Conclusion
Grok represents an interesting alternative to existing AI assistants, especially for those who already use the X (Twitter) platform and value a more unrestricted communication style. Although the system is still in the active development stage and cannot compete in all parameters with more established solutions, it demonstrates good potential, particularly considering the speed of updates and the ambitions of xAI company.
The choice between Grok and other AI assistants will depend on the specific needs of the user, preferred interaction style, and willingness to pay for an X Premium+ subscription.