Google has cut free Gemini API access to 20 daily requests, down from 250 requests per day, forcing developers to find alternatives or pay for usage. The company simultaneously launched Gemini 3 Flash as its new default free model, signaling a strategic shift toward monetizing its AI infrastructure.
Gemini 2.5 Flash now limits free tier users to just 20 requests per day, down from 250 requests per day according to How-To Geek and Google AI Developers Forum posts. Developers using the API for automations like smart home integrations reported their systems breaking when hitting the new cap. Google made the change without advance notice, catching many users off guard.
The timing coincides with Google's rollout of Gemini 3 Flash as the new default model across its ecosystem. According to PCWorld, Gemini 3 Flash runs up to three times faster than Gemini 2.5 Flash while maintaining competitive performance. The model now serves as Google's primary free offering, positioned between paid tiers Gemini 3 Pro and Gemini 3 Deep Think.
Developers have several immediate alternatives according to How-To Geek testing. Gemini Robotics-ER 1.5 Preview offers 250 daily requests, though this preview model may face future limits. GroqCloud provides up to 1,000 requests daily through models like Meta's Llama 4 Maverick 17B. Self-hosting local LLMs eliminates API dependencies but requires significant hardware investment.
Paying for API usage remains the most sustainable option according to industry analysis. Gemini 2.5 Flash costs $0.30 per million input tokens and $2.50 per million output tokens. Even heavy usage scenarios like daily smart home automations typically cost just cents monthly. Aggregator platforms like OpenRouter consolidate billing across multiple AI providers.
Google's broader AI strategy includes replacing Google Assistant with Gemini across mobile devices, though this transition now extends into 2026. The company originally planned completion by end of 2025 but delayed to ensure seamless migration. Assistant will remain available on Android and iOS until the phased replacement concludes.
The API limit reductions reflect growing pressure on AI companies to monetize expensive infrastructure investments. Google reportedly processes over one trillion tokens daily through its Gemini API. Free tiers primarily serve testing purposes rather than production workloads in this emerging economic model.
Gemini 3 Flash achieves competitive benchmark scores including 81.2% on multimodal MMMU-Pro testing according to PCWorld. The model matches OpenAI's GPT-5.2 in certain performance categories while maintaining faster response times. Enterprise adoption includes companies like JetBrains, Bridgewater Associates, and Figma using the model through Vertex AI.
The API changes arrive as Google positions Gemini as its unified AI platform across consumer and enterprise segments. Free tier reductions push developers toward paid usage or alternative providers while maintaining accessibility through newer models. This balanced approach supports continued AI investment while expanding commercial opportunities.
