OpenAI's new research bot, which offers autonomous internet browsing and comprehensive document generation, carries a hefty $200 monthly fee for Pro users. While this high cost is attributed to its compute-intensive nature, several alternatives provide similar or better services at a fraction of the price, or even for free. Google Gemini has introduced a Deep Research feature for $20 per month, allowing users unlimited queries and integrated research reports. You.com offers fast research results and employs PhD-level methodologies, providing three free uses daily before requiring a subscription. Deepseek R1, a free option from China, allows users to guide the AI in real-time for research purposes. Additional tools have emerged, including open-source solutions that cater to specific research needs. These alternatives highlight that effective AI research assistance doesn't necessitate expensive subscriptions.

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