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Gemini API vs Vertex AI pricing

Gemini API is cheaper to start: $0.25 per million input tokens, $1.5 per million output against $0.75 per million input tokens, $3.75 per million output, introductory until 2027 for Vertex AI. Gemini API has not changed its listed prices since 2026. Vertex AI has changed its listed prices 4 times since 2025.

Gemini API pricingVertex AI pricingAdd a third product

Gemini API vs Vertex AI at a glance

Current list prices as last read from each pricing page.

Gemini API

Full analysis
Starts at
$0.25 per million input tokens, $1.5 per million outputGemini 3.1 Flash-Lite, USD per million tokens, paid tier, prompts up to 200K tokens
Top listed plan
$2 per million input tokens, $12 per million output for prompts up to 200K tokensGemini 3.1 Pro Preview
Priced by
Usage based
Free plan
Yes
Price history
since 2026
Price changes
none

Vertex AI

Full analysis
Starts at
$0.75 per million input tokens, $3.75 per million output, introductory until 2027Gemini 3.8 Flash, USD per million tokens, standard tier, prompts up to 200K tokens, global endpoint
Top listed plan
$2 per million input tokens, $12 per million outputGemini 3.1 Pro Preview
Priced by
Usage based
Free plan
Not recorded
Price history
since 2025
Price changes
4

Gemini API vs Vertex AI price history

Both histories on one chart. The default line is each product's cheapest paid plan.

$0.10$0.20$0.50$120252026$0.75 Gemini API Gemini 3.8 Flash, input$0.75 Vertex AI Gemini Flash tier, input
Gemini API: USD per million tokens, paid tier, prompts up to 200K tokens. Vertex AI: USD per million tokens, standard tier, prompts up to 200K tokens, global endpoint. Click a legend entry to add or hide a plan. Log scale.
Show the data as a table
ObservedGemini API Gemini 3.8 Flash, inputVertex AI Gemini Flash tier, input
Mar 2, 2025$0.15
Jun 6, 2025$0.15
Sep 2, 2025$0.30
Mar 1, 2026$0.50
Apr 1, 2026$0.50
Sep 21, 2026$0.75
Oct 3, 2026$0.75$0.75

Plans side by side

Every plan currently listed, with the price it started at where we have it.

Gemini APIUSD per million tokens, paid tier, prompts up to 200K tokens

PlanPriceListed since
Gemini 3.1 Pro Preview, input$2Sep 2026
Gemini 3.1 Pro Preview, output$12Sep 2026
Gemini 3.8 Flash, input$0.75Sep 2026
Gemini 3.8 Flash, output$3.75Sep 2026

Vertex AIUSD per million tokens, standard tier, prompts up to 200K tokens, global endpoint

PlanPriceListed since
Gemini Pro tier, input$2was $1.25 in 2025Jun 2025
Gemini Pro tier, output$12was $10 in 2025Jun 2025
Gemini Flash tier, input$0.75was $0.15 in 2025Mar 2025
Gemini Flash tier, output$3.75was $0.60 in 2025Mar 2025

What changed, and when

Every dated price move we have on record for either product, newest first.

  1. Oct 2026Vertex AI raised the Gemini Flash tier input and output prices. Gemini Flash tier, input went from $0.50 to $0.75 (+50%). Gemini Flash tier, output went from $3 to $3.75 (+25%).
  2. Mar 2026Vertex AI raised the Gemini Flash tier input and output prices. Gemini Flash tier, input went from $0.30 to $0.50 (+67%). Gemini Flash tier, output went from $2.50 to $3 (+20%).
  3. Dec 2025Vertex AI raised the Gemini Pro tier input and output prices. Gemini Pro tier, input went from $1.25 to $2 (+60%). Gemini Pro tier, output went from $10 to $12 (+20%).
  4. Sep 2025Vertex AI raised the Gemini Flash tier input and output prices. Gemini Flash tier, input went from $0.15 to $0.30 (+100%). Gemini Flash tier, output went from $0.60 to $2.50 (+317%).
  5. Jun 2025Vertex AI added the Gemini Pro tier input and output plans. Gemini Pro tier, input listed at $1.25. Gemini Pro tier, output listed at $10.

Gemini API vs Vertex AI pricing questions

Is Gemini API or Vertex AI cheaper?
Gemini API starts lower at $0.25 per million input tokens, $1.5 per million output, Vertex AI at $0.75 per million input tokens, $3.75 per million output, introductory until 2027. Prices are as shown on each pricing page when it was last read.
Has Gemini API or Vertex AI raised prices?
Gemini API has not changed its listed prices since 2026. Vertex AI: Gemini Pro tier, input appeared by Jun 2025 at $1.25. It went up to $2 by Dec 2025 (+60%). Gemini Pro tier, output appeared by Jun 2025 at $10. It went up to $12 by Dec 2025 (+20%). Gemini Flash tier, input has been listed since Mar 2025, starting at $0.15. It went up to $0.30 by Sep 2025 (+100%), then went up to $0.50 by Mar 2026 (+67%), and finally went up to $0.75 by Oct 2026 (+50%). Gemini Flash tier, output has been listed since Mar 2025, starting at $0.60. It went up to $2.50 by Sep 2025 (+317%), then went up to $3 by Mar 2026 (+20%), and finally went up to $3.75 by Oct 2026 (+25%).
Do Gemini API and Vertex AI have a free plan?
Gemini API lists a free plan. We have not recorded one for Vertex AI.
How are Gemini API and Vertex AI priced?
Gemini API: usage based, USD per million tokens, paid tier, prompts up to 200K tokens. Vertex AI: usage based, USD per million tokens, standard tier, prompts up to 200K tokens, global endpoint.

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