Gemini CLI free tier: how far you get
Gemini CLI free tier: Free Gemini API tier: 20 requests per day on gemini-3.8-flash in our test (one small app exhausted it on 16 Oct; still exhausted for runs 2–3 on 17 Oct). Google sign-in for individuals no longer works.. In our 2026-10-17 test: One todo-app attempt used up the free daily quota (20 requests/day on gemini-3.8-flash); the next day's runs hit the same limit.
Based on our own test on 2026-10-17 (3 runs) and the official pricing page (checked 2026-10-16).
What the free plan includes
Free Gemini API tier: 20 requests per day on gemini-3.8-flash in our test (one small app exhausted it on 16 Oct; still exhausted for runs 2–3 on 17 Oct). Google sign-in for individuals no longer works.
What our test used
One todo-app attempt used up the free daily quota (20 requests/day on gemini-3.8-flash); the next day's runs hit the same limit.
How far that gets you
The free API tier allowed 20 requests per day on gemini-3.8-flash in our test; we are not projecting how many real projects that covers.
Paid plans
Requires paid Gemini API key, Vertex AI, or Gemini Code Assist Standard/Enterprise
FAQ
Is Gemini CLI free?
No longer via Google sign-in (consumer users moved to Antigravity CLI June 18, 2026); free API-key quota unclear
How much did our test use on the Gemini CLI free plan?
In our test (2026-10-17, 3 runs): One todo-app attempt used up the free daily quota (20 requests/day on gemini-3.8-flash); the next day's runs hit the same limit.
How far does the Gemini CLI free plan go?
The free API tier allowed 20 requests per day on gemini-3.8-flash in our test; we are not projecting how many real projects that covers.
Full Gemini CLI review (6.1/10) · Best free tools in this category · Methodology