Summary of Key Points
The two leading domestic AI assistants, Qianwen and Doubao, have recently introduced paid membership systems, marking a shift from a free model aimed at attracting users to a tiered pricing strategy designed to generate revenue. The difference in their pricing strategies (Doubao charges 68 yuan per month, while Qianwen charges 19 yuan per month) reflects the varying user bases and strategic objectives of each platform. The underlying reasons for this shift include the soaring cost of computing power, the difficulty of sustaining high customer acquisition expenses, and the need for capital markets to see actual revenue generated by these services. Ordinary users may pay anywhere from a few dozen to several hundred yuan per month depending on their usage patterns; however, there are also ways to save money through careful planning.
1. Doubao (68 yuan) vs Qianwen (19 yuan): A Fourfold Price Difference with Different Approaches
Both platforms offer basic functions for free but differ significantly in how they approach pricing:
- Pricing Focus: One targets heavy users, while the other focuses on acquiring new customers.
Doubao has over 345 million monthly active users and doesn't struggle to attract them; it uses a 68 yuan monthly fee to filter out those willing to pay for efficiency-enhancing tools (e.g., people who use AI daily for creating PPTs or analyzing data). Qianwen, with a lower monthly active user count, uses a 19 yuan fee to attract more users and then encourages them to upgrade.
- Package Design: Doubao offers a bundled package, while Qianwen separates its services. Doubao provides access to all features (PPT creation, video editing, data analysis) at different tiered prices (5x, 20x, 50x usage quotas). Qianwen offers separate options: an office assistant membership (starting at 19 yuan) and a video generation quota package (26 yuan for 10 uses); users who only need PPT creation don't have to pay for video features.
- Target Audience: Doubao targets enterprises with an annual fee of 5088 yuan, while Qianwen focuses on individual users with an annual fee of 1499 yuan. Doubao aims to become a comprehensive AI platform serving both consumer and business users, whereas Qianwen aims to establish a paid user base for personal office tasks first.
2. Charging After Just Two Months of Free Use? The Burden of Computing Costs
Why have both platforms suddenly started charging? The main reason is the inability to sustain high costs:
- Exponential Increase in Computing Power Usage:
Doubao's daily usage has increased by 1000 times since its launch, and ByteDance plans to spend 90 billion yuan on AI computing power by 2025. Qianwen had a peak of 73.52 million daily active users during the Spring Festival, incurring substantial costs for computing resources. Complex tasks (e.g., AI coding, data analysis) consume more resources and increase costs.
- High Customer Acquisition Costs: The extensive AI marketing efforts during the Spring Festival cost over 10 billion yuan; Qianwen spent about 144 yuan per daily active user to acquire new users, while Doubao spent between 84 and 113 yuan. If users generated revenue couldn't cover these costs despite being free, it would be unsustainable for investors.
- Changing Industry Logic: The AI industry has been in a "free-to-attract-users" dilemma, but with rising prices for chips, servers, and storage, companies need to find ways to make money. The shift to charging is a collective response to these increased costs. The free model has fulfilled its role in educating the market; now, companies need to cover operational expenses.
3. How Much Do Users Have to Pay Monthly?
The cost varies greatly depending on usage:
- Light Users: 20–50 yuan per month
These users mainly use AI for writing copy, translation, and simple tasks. The free quota from Qianwen (13 uses per day) is usually sufficient; a 19 yuan monthly subscription can cover their needs.
- Moderate Users: 150–300 yuan per month
Those who use AI daily for creating reports, making PPTs, and processing data may need the Qianwen standard membership (5x quota), which costs 68 yuan per month. Using multiple tools (e.g., Tencent WorkBuddy for 99 yuan + Qianwen for 78 yuan) would result in a total cost of over 200 yuan, equivalent to one more work-related expense per month.
- Heavy Users: Over 500 yuan per month
Professionals such as programmers and content creators may need multiple services (e.g., Cursor Pro for 145 yuan + ChatGPT Pro for 1450 yuan + Qianwen professional membership for 500 yuan), with total monthly costs exceeding 1500 yuan. Most companies do not cover these expenses, so users must pay out of pocket.
*Note: Qianwen charges separately for video generation (1 yuan per second) due to high costs; bundling it with other features would result in excessive usage and losses for the provider.*
4. How Can Ordinary Users Save Money Under the New Pricing Model?
Although the free era is ending, there are ways to control expenses:
- Use Free Quotas First: Try out the services before deciding to subscribe.
For example, Qianwen offers a trial with rewards, and WorkBuddy is free until August 31. Use the free quotas on various platforms to see which ones you really need before subscribing to the most expensive plan.
- Choose the Right Plan: Avoid paying for unnecessary features.
The智谱GLM Coding Plan Lite version (118 yuan per month) is suitable for occasional coding, while the Pro version (538 yuan per month) is for intensive development. Assess your usage frequency before buying extra features.
- Use Domestic Alternatives and Combine Tools: AliQoder and Tencent CodeBuddy can be cheaper alternatives to Copilot. If you're on a budget, consider using Qianwen or Doubao's office tools instead of one expensive service.
- Team Packages Are Cheaper: Enterprise packages can reduce costs when used by multiple people. However, be cautious of using unauthorized resellers to avoid account bans and data breaches.
Key Decision-Making Criterion: Consider whether a feature can save you more time or money than the subscription fee. If it does, subscribe; otherwise, use the free version. AI has evolved from a novelty to a useful tool. Whether it's worth paying for depends on whether it helps you convert time into money.
In Conclusion
The free era of AI for office tasks will not completely disappear (basic functions will remain free), but paid models are becoming the norm for more productivity-related tasks. By making rational choices and paying only for what you need, users can make AI a valuable tool that saves time and effort, rather than an additional burden.