Grok 2: From Hype to Paywall — Did They Miss the Mark?
Be honest — had you even heard of Grok before today? If you’re like most people, probably not. It’s not exactly a household name like ChatGPT or Bard. But Grok, the AI assistant built by Elon Musk’s xAI, was supposed to be a big deal. Positioned as a smarter, sharper alternative to existing AI models, it aimed to stand out by being tightly integrated into X (formerly known as Twitter).
What’s Changed with Grok 2?
Grok 2 is positioned as a smarter, more refined version of the original Grok AI assistant. It’s part of a bigger vision for X (formerly Twitter) to become more than just a social media app.
But there’s a key difference now: it’s not free.
Before, Grok was available to everyone (with some limits on usage) — and that was smart. People got to play around with it, see how it worked, and even if it wasn’t perfect, at least they could say, “Okay, I get it.” But with Grok 2, that on-ramp has disappeared. Now, it’s pay first, test later.
Here’s the breakdown of the subscription options:
- X Premium (£9.60/month): Includes access to Grok 2, reduced ads, a “reply boost” for your posts, and the ability to get paid for creating content.
- X Premium+ (£16/month): All of the above, but with no ads at all and some extra publishing perks.
On paper, that sounds like a lot. But realistically, not everyone cares about boosted replies, ad-free scrolling, or content monetisation. Most people just want to see what Grok 2 can actually do. And if Grok 2 is the main draw, it’s a lot to ask people to pay nearly £10–£16 a month for the privilege of testing it out.
What Makes This Move So Frustrating?
Here’s the thing: AI thrives on usage. The more people use it, the smarter it gets. It learns, it adapts, and over time, it gets better. That’s why so many other AI platforms (like ChatGPT and Google Bard) offer free versions. They want as many people as possible feeding the machine, testing its limits, and helping it grow.
By locking Grok 2 behind a paywall, xAI is essentially saying, “We don’t need your feedback unless you’re paying for it.” And that’s risky. Without enough users, Grok 2 might never get the kind of real-world testing it needs to truly stand out.
The other problem? Competition. Right now, you can hop onto platforms like OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Google Bard, or Microsoft’s AI tools — all for free. Yes, there are paid versions, but the base model is still available for anyone to try. It’s a classic “hook them, then upgrade them” strategy. And it works.
Grok 2, however, has no hook. It’s like walking past a new restaurant that won’t let you peek at the menu until you pay for a table. Most people would just keep walking.
What Does This Mean for xAI?
To be fair, I get it. xAI is a business, and businesses need to make money. The company recently raised $60 billion in funding, with a valuation now sitting somewhere around $400 billion. Investors want returns, and putting Grok 2 behind a paywall is a direct way to generate revenue.
But here’s the problem: if nobody’s using it, nobody’s paying for it. And if people can’t test it first, they’re unlikely to risk their money on it. This “pay first, play later” model makes sense for a product people already know and trust. But Grok 2 is still an unknown. It’s asking users to believe in it without proof.
AI adoption isn’t just about marketing — it’s about momentum. People need to feel like they’re part of something new and exciting. They need to tell their friends, “Hey, have you tried this?” But if no one’s trying it, there’s no buzz.
And the irony? If Grok 2 was free, I bet people would be talking about it right now. Social media would be filled with “I asked Grok this and look what it said!” posts. But that’s not happening. Instead, people see the subscription screen and leave.
So, Is Grok 2 Worth It?
Honestly, it’s hard to say. Not because it’s bad — I genuinely have no idea if it’s good or not, because I haven’t been able to try it properly. And that’s the issue.
Paywalls aren’t inherently bad. People pay for Netflix, Spotify, and all kinds of subscription services. But the difference is, with those platforms, you know exactly what you’re getting. Netflix shows you the shows, Spotify shows you the songs. You can try before you subscribe. Grok 2 doesn’t offer that.
If Grok 2 is as revolutionary as xAI seems to think it is, why not let people see it for themselves? Why not bring back the limited free tier and let people get hooked on it first? If it’s good, people will pay for it.
So for me, I’m holding off on Grok 2. Not because I don’t want to try it, but because I can’t justify paying for something I can’t see. If they bring back a free tier, I’ll be the first in line to test it out. Until then, I’m sticking with the AIs I can actually use.
