# Free tier, trial or required plan to start (`billing.entry_plan`)

Feedback Bench, personal agents, built 2026-10-19, window 2026-08-31 to 2026-10-18. Web page: https://feedbackbench.com/#/criterion/billing.entry_plan

Area: [Paying for the agent](https://feedbackbench.com/criteria/billing.md)

**Definition.** Whether the agent can be tried free or on a cheap plan, which subscription tier is required to use it at all, and whether that requirement is disclosed before download or signup.

**Boundary.** Not this: see [Subscription price versus value received](https://feedbackbench.com/criteria/billing.price_level.md) when the user can access it but finds the price too high; see [Plan contents, bundles and usage meters unclear](https://feedbackbench.com/criteria/billing.plan_clarity.md) when plans exist but their contents or bundling are confusing.

Rated user-weeks, all agents: 1207. Complaint share: 38%.

## The brief

Written by large language models from this page's numbers and the posts it quotes, then checked: every number in the text is in the build. Interpretation, not measurement.

Muse is the easiest agent to try without paying. Users say its free tier does plenty on its own. Hark and Hermes Agent also rank high, and their users praise free access in the same way. This criterion makes up 2.2% of what users rate, the 25th most rated of 53 criteria. Grok Bot and ChatGPT Dots rank low. Grok Bot users describe a paywall as soon as the app opens, and they write 52% of the category's complaints here. ChatGPT Dots users say the agent is only available on the top-priced plan.

### What separates the best from the rest

Users of Muse, Hark and Hermes Agent say they get real use without spending anything. They describe a free tier that is enough for average use, free templates and free plan offers. Users of Grok Bot and ChatGPT Dots say they must pay before they can use the agent at all. Grok Bot asks for a subscription at install, and a premium subscriber says it still wants API credits. ChatGPT Dots is left out of the Plus plan its users already pay for. Muse has 459 praising user-weeks to 68 complaining. Grok Bot has 70 to 241.

- **Ranks high**: [Muse](https://feedbackbench.com/agents/muse.md), [Hermes Agent](https://feedbackbench.com/agents/hermes-agent.md), [Hark](https://feedbackbench.com/agents/hark.md)
  - Muse, 2026-10-14, Play Store (Play Store): “perfect for me. free tier is still planty for average users. i don't know it's future plan tho.” [source](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.facebook.aura)
  - Hermes Agent, 2026-10-12, @NousResearch (X): “@hermesagenttips huge props to @nousresearch for providing such a valuable free tier as well tbh! no reason to not have one if you use hermes imho 😁” [source](https://twitter.com/391026632/status/2109634863653347377)
- **Ranks low**: [Grok Bot](https://feedbackbench.com/agents/grok-bot.md), [ChatGPT Dots](https://feedbackbench.com/agents/dots.md)
  - Grok Bot, 2026-10-16, Play Store (Play Store): “immediately hit by a paywall couldn't even see what the app looks like” [source](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ai.x.grok.bot)
  - ChatGPT Dots, 2026-10-09, NEW ChatGPT Dots Can Blow Up Your Etsy Print-On-Demand Shop! (YouTube): “unfortunately you have to have a pro account to use dots. that is not in the budget right now” [source](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4FzkVj5s8Y&lc=UgyScat1_34Pa-Dxjtx4AaABAg)

## How it breaks

Rule: A separate pass sorts complaints into failure modes. For each criterion with at least 30 complaining user-weeks, a large language model reads 150 complaint posts drawn at random and names 4 to 8 failure modes; a second large language model then puts every complaint post on that criterion in one mode, or in Other when it fits none. Modes are fixed once named, and new posts are sorted into them each week. A mode counts distinct user-weeks with a complaint in it, per agent; across agents, one user-week per agent. Modes do not change the labels or the Feedback Score. Examples: up to 3 posts per mode from different users, chosen and checked as receipts are.

The largest failure is a hard paywall at first launch with no trial. It accounts for 23% of complaining user-weeks, and 90% of those come from Grok Bot. Grok Bot also leads the next largest: users who pay for a related plan find it does not cover the agent. ChatGPT Dots leads complaints that the agent is only on the top-priced tier. Muse accounts for 74% of complaints about card details demanded before any free use.

461 complaining user-weeks.

| Failure mode | User-weeks | Posts | Agents (user-weeks) | Definition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hard paywall at first launch, no trial | 105 | 106 | Grok Bot 95, Muse 8, Gemini Spark 1, Hermes Agent 1 | The agent does nothing at all, sometimes not even showing its interface, until the user buys a subscription, and no free tier or trial exists; cases where a trial exists but is too short, or where the paywall was hidden before download, are excluded. |
| Existing subscription does not cover the agent | 97 | 98 | Grok Bot 55, Hermes Agent 12, Gemini Spark 8, OpenClaw 8, ChatGPT Dots 7, Muse 7 | Users who already pay for a related plan (the vendor's chat app, a social network premium tier, an IDE bundle, a model provider subscription) find they need a separate or additional subscription, API credits or a companion app to use the agent or plug that plan into it; cases where the user simply has no paid plan are excluded. |
| Agent reserved for top-priced tier only | 77 | 83 | ChatGPT Dots 35, Grok Bot 31, Gemini Spark 3, Muse 3, Hark 2, OpenClaw 2, Hermes Agent 1 | The agent is only available on a premium tier (e.g. $100–$1000 a month) and is left out of the cheaper paid plans users already have, with no low-cost way in; cases where an existing plan is the wrong product rather than too cheap a tier are excluded. |
| Free trial or tier too small to evaluate | 45 | 45 | Grok Bot 17, Hermes Agent 14, Muse 6, Hark 4, ChatGPT Dots 2, OpenClaw 2 | A free trial, quota or set of free models exists but ends after minutes or a couple of requests, or is too weak or broken (e.g. blocked even with zero credits) to judge the agent; free options that worked and were later removed are excluded. |
| Free access withdrawn after users adopted it | 40 | 41 | Muse 9, ChatGPT Dots 8, Hermes Agent 8, Grok Bot 6, OpenClaw 6, Gemini Spark 3 | A free plan, free model or subscription-based access that used to work is removed or newly gated behind payment or a card, or users expect such a paywall to arrive soon; free tiers that were limited from the start are excluded. |
| Paid requirement hidden before download or signup | 37 | 37 | Grok Bot 26, Muse 8, ChatGPT Dots 2, Hermes Agent 1 | Store listings, ads or the 'free' label give no warning that a subscription is needed, so users only find out after installing or creating an account; complaints about the price itself, or about paywalls that were clearly disclosed, are excluded. |
| Card details demanded before any free use | 23 | 23 | Muse 17, Grok Bot 4, Hermes Agent 2 | The user must enter a credit or debit card to start a free plan or trial, or to ask a first question; full paywalls with no free option at all are excluded. |
| Other | 39 | 43 | Muse 11, Hark 9, ChatGPT Dots 7, Grok Bot 7, Hermes Agent 5 | Complaints that fit none of the modes above. |

#### Hard paywall at first launch, no trial

- Grok Bot, 2026-10-17, Play Store (Play Store): “haven't done anything yet and already asked to pay, uninstall.” [source](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ai.x.grok.bot)
- Grok Bot, 2026-10-17, Play Store (Play Store): “you only get 1 time trial and done. then, they won't let you use it without any charged subscription.” [source](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ai.x.grok.bot)
- Grok Bot, 2026-10-16, Play Store (Play Store): “immediately hit by a paywall couldn't even see what the app looks like” [source](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ai.x.grok.bot)

#### Existing subscription does not cover the agent

- Grok Bot, 2026-10-17, @bot (X): “@elonmusk @bot i am in the premium teir and grok bot connecting to x wants me to add api credits.” [source](https://twitter.com/1850964027217956864/status/2111257522174873910)
- ChatGPT Dots, 2026-10-09, Set up your dot in the ChatGPT mobile app (YouTube): “oh wow, what a cool feature that is entirely unavailable to a plus user such as myself” [source](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5KxBTUncoE&lc=UgxoQUFAK6mokRBmLZZ4AaABAg)
- Grok Bot, 2026-10-09, Play Store (Play Store): “i don't have a grok subscription so it doesn't work. a paywall is greeting you.” [source](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ai.x.grok.bot)

#### Agent reserved for top-priced tier only

- ChatGPT Dots, 2026-10-10, ChatGPT Dots Is WAY More Powerful Than You Think (YouTube): “i pay for the 20 dollars a month plan. i think pro is required so i don't see dots. i need to pay 100 dollars a month just to get it ...... i'd rather just use hermes agent or any other free agent i control and use the api instead” [source](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXhOxfPECnM&lc=UgzHWZX8k5jQNo4ao1J4AaABAg.AblKcjCplJXAbn97lRUhf9)
- Muse, 2026-10-10, App Store (App Store): “not a free app, there’s an ask at a certain point to upgrade to a $20/month or $100/month plan to continue using.” [source](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/muse-from-meta/id6760173601)
- ChatGPT Dots, 2026-10-09, NEW ChatGPT Dots Can Blow Up Your Etsy Print-On-Demand Shop! (YouTube): “unfortunately you have to have a pro account to use dots. that is not in the budget right now” [source](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4FzkVj5s8Y&lc=UgyScat1_34Pa-Dxjtx4AaABAg)

#### Free trial or tier too small to evaluate

- Hark, 2026-10-17, Play Store (Play Store): “don't download. scam !!!! 😭😭 waste of time . got lied to. they let you go till the end 😔 then block you. . . . wth” [source](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.hark.android)
- Grok Bot, 2026-10-07, @bot (X): “@bot i login with my x account to grok and grok bot. i have x premium and supergrok but i only have a trial of grokbot. of course i linked my cursor account too :(” [source](https://twitter.com/106016571/status/2107823158833082679)
- Hark, 2026-10-06, X search: Hark Pro, hark.com, Hark AI (X): “hark can be logged in. hark pro only has a validity period of one month, which is far worse than the eggs obtained from muse. [link]” [source](https://twitter.com/1871185338816729088/status/2107542267900961186)

#### Free access withdrawn after users adopted it

- Gemini Spark, 2026-10-15, X search: Gemini Spark (X): “so no more gemini spark for pro-account users, this is some bs from google...” [source](https://twitter.com/1020412958122356737/status/2110566736206393403)
- ChatGPT Dots, 2026-10-10, OpenAIの新機能！24時間働くAIエージェント「dots」の使用感や課金すべきか解説してみた (YouTube): “i'm using it, but it only works for free this month, you know... (´･ω･`)” [source](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTNCwOYrww0&lc=Ugzo5KBcgbjpucroVL94AaABAg)

#### Paid requirement hidden before download or signup

- Grok Bot, 2026-10-16, Play Store (Play Store): “bruh i thought it was for free stop advertising like it's free cuh 🫩” [source](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ai.x.grok.bot)
- Muse, 2026-10-11, Play Store (Play Store): “it's a big scam because they say it's free and it's not true. i think it shouldn't be this way with that deception.” [source](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.facebook.aura)
- Muse, 2026-10-05, Play Store (Play Store): “the app says it was free i read on it it said free i got on it downloading it and then it wants me to pay and i'm not paying” [source](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.facebook.aura)

#### Card details demanded before any free use

- Muse, 2026-10-15, Play Store (Play Store): “ha! nice try! started to install the app... then, it wanted my credit card information, and i wasn't able to skip that screen. not doing it, my family's security is more important than my convenience. i'll just go back to writing things down. uninstalled immediately.” [source](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.facebook.aura)
- Muse, 2026-10-14, Play Store (Play Store): “why are you charging a dollar & asking for my credit card???????” [source](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.facebook.aura)
- Hermes Agent, 2026-10-09, How to Set Up Hermes Agent on Your Computer (Desktop App) (YouTube): “weird, but as of today, nous free subscription requires a cred card. no thank you.” [source](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAss7qQk9W4&lc=UgzIfcXacHOJVCm_xTB4AaABAg)

#### Other

- Hark, 2026-10-07, @hark_labs (X): “@pengchenop @hark_labs unfortunately, it's too late, i can only use the free version of pro, and it can't be changed to version 2.” [source](https://twitter.com/232764451/status/2107760657529729348)
- ChatGPT Dots, 2026-09-30, X search: ChatGPT dots, ChatGPT dot, OpenAI dots, OpenAI's dot (X): “i tried to make a chatgpt dot. got the upgrade screen instead. "dots require a business premium seat." and sitting right on top of the paywall? five smiling plush mascots. [link] [link]” [source](https://twitter.com/2042995832652201984/status/2105107868181528626)

## Top requests

What users ask to add or change, most asked first. 700 user-weeks ask for something. Requests do not change the Feedback Score. Rule: A separate pass by a large language model reads every counted post and extracts what the user asks the agent or its vendor to add or change, with the criteria it maps to and a short normalised wording; it does not touch the labels or the Feedback Score. A large language model groups the wordings within each criterion (the first criterion the request maps to) into themes, and a second pass merges themes that ask for the same change under different criteria; a merged theme sits under the criterion most of its requests map to, and code counts it once. A theme counts distinct user-weeks that ask for it, per agent; across agents, one user-week per agent. Themes asked in fewer than 2 user-weeks, and requests that share no theme, are not shown. Examples: up to 3 posts per theme from different users, without slurs: whole posts of 60 to 450 characters with at least 8 words beyond handles and links, posts of at most 280 characters first, then the newest.

| Rank | Request | User-weeks | Posts | Agents (user-weeks) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Free tier or free access | 158 | 160 | Grok Bot 83, Muse 33, Hermes Agent 14, Gemini Spark 9, OpenClaw 8, ChatGPT Dots 6, Hark 4, Poke 1 |
| 2 | Availability on the Plus plan | 88 | 91 | ChatGPT Dots 70, OpenClaw 6, Grok Bot 5, Gemini Spark 3, Muse 3, Hermes Agent 1 |
| 3 | Free trial before payment | 66 | 66 | Grok Bot 51, Hermes Agent 6, Hark 3, ChatGPT Dots 2, Muse 2, OpenClaw 2 |
| 4 | Availability on cheaper plans than top tier | 41 | 43 | ChatGPT Dots 22, Grok Bot 10, Gemini Spark 5, Muse 3, Hermes Agent 1 |
| 5 | Open access without invite or waitlist | 40 | 40 | Muse 30, Grok Bot 4, Instinct 4, ChatGPT Dots 1, Hark 1 |
| 6 | Standalone subscription not bundled with other products | 32 | 36 | Grok Bot 31, Muse 1 |
| 7 | Access included in already-paid plans | 29 | 29 | Grok Bot 23, ChatGPT Dots 2, Hermes Agent 2, Muse 2 |
| 8 | Disclose payment requirement before download or signup | 23 | 23 | Grok Bot 17, Muse 4, ChatGPT Dots 1, OpenClaw 1 |
| 9 | Mid-priced plan tier | 17 | 19 | Grok Bot 12, Hark 2, ChatGPT Dots 1, Hermes Agent 1, Muse 1 |
| 10 | Keep or restore the free tier | 16 | 16 | Muse 12, Grok Bot 2, ChatGPT Dots 1, Hark 1 |
| 11 | Student and low-income discounts | 16 | 16 | Grok Bot 8, Hark 5, Muse 2, OpenClaw 1 |
| 12 | Free plan extensions and promotions | 14 | 16 | Hark 8, Grok Bot 5, Hermes Agent 1 |

### 1. Free tier or free access

- Muse, 2026-10-14, Play Store (Play Store): “thanks for giving good service but please do more strong and give us free please 🙏 thank you 💗 love you ❤️ so much 💋❤️” [source](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.facebook.aura)
- Muse, 2026-10-13, X search: Muse from Meta, Meta Muse (X): “@alexatallah i heard that @meta muse wonder full is just insane, but i can't pay after $200 claude and $200 openai :) they gotta do something to let us fo free” [source](https://twitter.com/2108889990910664705/status/2110046823448707208)
- Muse, 2026-10-10, X search: Muse from Meta, Meta Muse (X): “meta muse needs hybrid compute to beat laya/clm-8b! shift routing to edge to slash power. kill monthly subs—go free to stabilize the ecosystem. monetize via a small transaction tax on agent actions. this is how meta wins agentic economics. @ylecun @zuck #metamuse #ai” [source](https://twitter.com/2070405933562568704/status/2108827410045239545)

### 2. Availability on the Plus plan

- ChatGPT Dots, 2026-10-18, Put your dot on call (YouTube): “make it available for plus users.......what's wrong with you? we pay...so give us this service please” [source](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBOZIRK1ujw&lc=UgytbHLaCyZ_SvHw_114AaABAg)
- ChatGPT Dots, 2026-10-17, Put your dot on call (YouTube): “yeah, this is such bullshit that dots hasn't rolled out to paid plus users. it really makes me want to jump ship.” [source](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBOZIRK1ujw&lc=Ugy8q4Kc2WByrCqXfL94AaABAg)
- ChatGPT Dots, 2026-10-17, Put your dot on call (YouTube): “i need dots in my plus acount, please, i'm an autonomous worker, just one orchestra worker and i think as insurance broker and real state could be great that you help me, three years working with you already and top fan! ❤” [source](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBOZIRK1ujw&lc=UgxxCyWE5m_TW_mCeRx4AaABAg)

### 3. Free trial before payment

- Grok Bot, 2026-10-18, X search: Grok Bot, Grokbot, x.ai/bot (X): “@binhara i wanted to be able to test and play with grokbot without having to pay upfront.” [source](https://twitter.com/9839572/status/2111633849637613990)
- Grok Bot, 2026-10-17, r/GrokBot (Reddit): “question for someone who isn’t a content creator , nor owns their own business how is grok bot going to help me? i wish they had s free trial to test it out but that doesn’t exist or it didn’t got me .” [source](https://www.reddit.com/r/GrokBot/comments/1x7sov2/went_from_burning_through_grok_bot_credits_to/phds234/)
- Grok Bot, 2026-10-15, X search: Grok Bot, Grokbot, x.ai/bot (X): “@elonmusk @grok @bot we will see. there should at least be a free trial period for us newbs. honestly though, @grok @bot is pretty spectacular. 🤘🏻😎” [source](https://twitter.com/2256497573/status/2110875242021232968)

### 4. Availability on cheaper plans than top tier

- ChatGPT Dots, 2026-10-16, X search: ChatGPT dots, ChatGPT dot, OpenAI dots, OpenAI's dot (X): “the fact that grokbot @bot and meta's muse @muse are available for most low-tier subscribers and even for free should be a wake up call for openai's dots @openai. like i wanna use dots but the fact that you have to pay $100/mo for it is nuts” [source](https://twitter.com/1944393310690263040/status/2111158600760467804)
- Grok Bot, 2026-10-13, X search: Grok Bot, Grokbot, x.ai/bot (X): “@liuweijiavip the most disappointing thing is that i can't use grok bot with 8 dollars. 😭” [source](https://twitter.com/2095150719913623553/status/2109859286033826108)
- Grok Bot, 2026-10-13, X search: Grok Bot, Grokbot, x.ai/bot (X): “@op7418 waiting so long, still no grok bot for 8 dollars... just happy for a moment.” [source](https://twitter.com/1725931727045181440/status/2109850785706353069)

### 5. Open access without invite or waitlist

- Muse, 2026-10-11, Probé Muse, la nueva SÚPER app de Mark Zuckerberg desde Facebook (YouTube): “i am in venezuela and i am using it without problems, it's great. i downloaded it with a vpn the same week it was released, but it no longer allows new users.” [source](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dymZM87MeLY&lc=UgweML_vvsLzdx2TB6R4AaABAg)
- Muse, 2026-10-09, Play Store (Play Store): “very useful with multiple tools, unfortunately it not open for general public yet.” [source](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.facebook.aura)
- Hark, 2026-10-08, Nova missão: $5 EM RECOMPENSAS por responder 5 perguntas (Hark Pro) Tutorial (YouTube): “help marciao, at the time of creating the account it asks for an invitation code and i don't have one.... what now?????” [source](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfLmSeTXKhw&lc=UgzSiXgAfvmxJ_-Kq_x4AaABAg)

### 6. Standalone subscription not bundled with other products

- Grok Bot, 2026-10-15, X search: Grok Bot, Grokbot, x.ai/bot (X): “@elonmusk @bot hey @elonmusk why can't we have separate grok @bot only subscription?” [source](https://twitter.com/2362581686/status/2110622620672532564)
- Grok Bot, 2026-10-08, X search: Grok Bot, Grokbot, x.ai/bot (X): “@poteto can we have a grokbot only sub, i don't need all the fluff. also, supergrok and cursor is confusing.” [source](https://twitter.com/2078632690606346240/status/2108039084556063088)
- Grok Bot, 2026-10-07, X search: Grok Bot, Grokbot, x.ai/bot (X): “@elonmusk @bot @spacex release grok bot plans only. we want to use just bots.” [source](https://twitter.com/1761581876362276864/status/2107823787521474755)

### 7. Access included in already-paid plans

- Grok Bot, 2026-10-12, X search: Grok Bot, Grokbot, x.ai/bot (X): “@iruletheworldmo now that grok @bot uses opus 5.5, a claude sub should include access to it in some capacity. dots is shit, but i wish claude would just team up with spacexsi/cursor and go all in on grok bot to just wipe dots off the map.” [source](https://twitter.com/1422719919418920966/status/2109659992735502527)
- ChatGPT Dots, 2026-10-04, X search: ChatGPT dots, ChatGPT dot, OpenAI dots, OpenAI's dot (X): “@vaibhavsisinty @thsottiaux this was a great interview. but i’d also really like to know when chatgpt dots will be available to all paid users.” [source](https://twitter.com/1658076492902072326/status/2106890936613838888)
- Muse, 2026-10-03, @muse (X): “@lingxi @bot make a version of @bot 🆓 or at least give @x premium users @bot would really love to see @bot get to a wider group of non-tech users like @muse” [source](https://twitter.com/1915909368568287233/status/2106375704829186435)

### 8. Disclose payment requirement before download or signup

- Muse, 2026-10-11, Play Store (Play Store): “it's a big scam because they say it's free and it's not true. i think it shouldn't be this way with that deception.” [source](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.facebook.aura)
- Grok Bot, 2026-10-10, Play Store (Play Store): “it just went straight to a paywall, r479 month for the basic version. crooks, wasted my time.” [source](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ai.x.grok.bot)
- Grok Bot, 2026-10-04, Play Store (Play Store): “very disappointing to find that it requires a very expensive subscription to use. that important point was not mentioned at all on the store page. i have no idea how to delete my account as i can't even sign in without paying money!!” [source](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ai.x.grok.bot)

### 9. Mid-priced plan tier

- ChatGPT Dots, 2026-10-16, Put your dot on call (YouTube): “is understandable that dots maybe expensive to mantain for plus users but, y'all just should add a 40usd or 50usd plan for extra usage and avaibility for dots” [source](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBOZIRK1ujw&lc=UgyWsW9UwShOjasTM0d4AaABAg)
- Grok Bot, 2026-10-16, X search: Grok Bot, Grokbot, x.ai/bot (X): “@willdobrev the antropic grokbot along with a $50 plan would make me switch on the same day” [source](https://twitter.com/1973728295628800001/status/2110898074264502582)
- Grok Bot, 2026-10-07, X search: Grok Bot, Grokbot, x.ai/bot (X): “grok @bot is incredible, but my usage is quickly gobbled up just being my secretary, and i cannot justify the jump from $30 to $100 for the next tier. i have migrated some bots to @muse and @hark_labs where they are capable of handling the tasks.” [source](https://twitter.com/1936928257372307456/status/2107823608273727585)

### 10. Keep or restore the free tier

- Grok Bot, 2026-10-17, Play Store (Play Store): “if you gave me at least a daily limit, it would be excellent, but once your trial ends, the subscription is necessary.” [source](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ai.x.grok.bot)
- Muse, 2026-10-15, @muse (X): “@muse i wonder if in the future, the free quota for muse will be cancelled and it will only be available for paid use. from my perspective, muse is more of a life ai agent with relatively simpler usage scenarios. in summary, i hope muse can always have a free quota 🥹” [source](https://twitter.com/2108883043117309952/status/2110729814542029228)
- Muse, 2026-10-13, Play Store (Play Store): “creates the best datasheets for our corporation and is appreciated ...keep it free and gooder things could come from corporations (hide this or go to church if scared of sending this kay we got this!)” [source](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.facebook.aura)

### 11. Student and low-income discounts

- Hark, 2026-10-17, X search: Hark Pro, hark.com, Hark AI (X): “@adcock_brett , all that’s left now is hark ai pro giveaways for students! 👀😂 [link]” [source](https://twitter.com/1656200040942305280/status/2111350937612886145)
- Hark, 2026-10-15, @hark_labs (X): “hey @hark_labs 👋 we're a student team from vietnam building gathergo, our first startup at vtech studio. hark is already part of our daily work. on a student budget, could you support us with hark pro³? it'd help us build faster. thank you! 🙏🇻🇳 #buildinpublic” [source](https://twitter.com/1863648026427822080/status/2110723926087323754)
- Hark, 2026-10-14, App Store (App Store): “this is a really nice, clean app that works perfectly. it would also be great to see a student discount for the subscription!” [source](https://apps.apple.com/tr/app/hark-pro/id6772362941)

### 12. Free plan extensions and promotions

- Hark, 2026-10-17, @hark_labs (X): “@hark_labs what about users that where here before the promo what about us ?” [source](https://twitter.com/1585641089955815425/status/2111429991787581597)
- Hark, 2026-10-17, @hark_labs (X): “if @hark_labs extends my gifted hark pro^3 plan then i will recommend harkpro to my friends , family and college professors!!” [source](https://twitter.com/1826121283911761920/status/2111364540147658798)
- Hark, 2026-10-17, @hark_labs (X): “@hark_labs i want it, but ............................rather, i would love to get one more month of free hark pro^3,” [source](https://twitter.com/2056788613963427841/status/2111348828330770481)

## Every agent

| Agent | Overall rank | Reading | Customer love | 95% interval | n | Praise | Complaint |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| [Muse](https://feedbackbench.com/agents/muse.md) | 1 | 1st of 6 | 0.768 | 0.746–0.792 | 527 | 459 | 68 |
| [Hark](https://feedbackbench.com/agents/hark.md) | 4 | 2nd of 6 | 0.547 | 0.519–0.574 | 68 | 54 | 14 |
| [Hermes Agent](https://feedbackbench.com/agents/hermes-agent.md) | 2 | 3rd of 6 | 0.533 | 0.504–0.560 | 144 | 100 | 44 |
| [OpenClaw](https://feedbackbench.com/agents/openclaw.md) | 5 | 4th of 6 | 0.498 | 0.479–0.517 | 46 | 28 | 18 |
| [ChatGPT Dots](https://feedbackbench.com/agents/dots.md) | 8 | 5th of 6 | 0.403 | 0.376–0.432 | 82 | 21 | 61 |
| [Grok Bot](https://feedbackbench.com/agents/grok-bot.md) | 3 | 6th of 6 | 0.233 | 0.206–0.258 | 311 | 70 | 241 |
| [Gemini Spark](https://feedbackbench.com/agents/gemini-spark.md) | 7 | Too few posts | – | – | 20 | 5 | 15 |
| [Instinct](https://feedbackbench.com/agents/instinct.md) | 6 | Too few posts | – | – | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| [Poke](https://feedbackbench.com/agents/poke.md) | 9 | Too few posts | – | – | 2 | 2 | 0 |

## Posts

Receipts rule: Up to 5 praise and 5 complaint posts per area and 3 per criterion. Each is a whole post of 60 to 450 characters (700 for areas) with at least 8 words beyond handles and links, that judges the criterion, whose labels are all praise or all complaint, and that contains no slur. Posts that touch the fewest criteria come first, then posts of at most 280 characters, then the newest. A second large language model reads the first 3 candidates per slot and keeps a post only if it clearly praises, or clearly complains about, the agent on that criterion. Links and personal details removed by the source show as marks such as [link].

### Muse

- Praise, 2026-10-15, Essa NOVA IA trabalha 24h pra você, de graça (Muse AI, de Meta) (YouTube): “i am using it and it is impressive what it does "for free", it has a lot of good things!” [source](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0toWQwd6ahY&lc=Ugz9UOCkJO7Cdp82C2V4AaABAg)
- Praise, 2026-10-15, Hark vs Muse vs Dots vs Grok Bot: Which AI Agent Should You Use? (YouTube): “great video. loving muse and hark right now. glad to get in on the free pro3 plan for a month as one of the fordt 100k users. its been so good im scared they gonna lock me in 😆” [source](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8s_HRS4GSE&lc=Ugwtz4nR2czBKamZT-h4AaABAg)
- Praise, 2026-10-14, App Store (App Store): “it’s the real deal . best app out there by a long shot and it’s free” [source](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/muse-from-meta/id6760173601)
- Complaint, 2026-10-16, App Store (App Store): “i can’t even get in because i have to pay a dollar when i don’t have a dollar” [source](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/muse-from-meta/id6760173601)
- Complaint, 2026-10-15, Play Store (Play Store): “ha! nice try! started to install the app... then, it wanted my credit card information, and i wasn't able to skip that screen. not doing it, my family's security is more important than my convenience. i'll just go back to writing things down. uninstalled immediately.” [source](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.facebook.aura)
- Complaint, 2026-10-14, Play Store (Play Store): “why are you charging a dollar & asking for my credit card???????” [source](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.facebook.aura)

### Hark

- Praise, 2026-10-17, @hark_labs (X): “@hark_labs @0xkemal1 noted: i did not purchase a pro membership. i completely benefited from the free section. so you can take advantage of the free one for your research.” [source](https://twitter.com/1691744321978896384/status/2111602361281978372)
- Praise, 2026-10-17, X search: Hark Pro, hark.com, Hark AI (X): “i will say, hark ai is not perfect, but they are very generous. i was one of the lucky people to get a free $100/month plan, and i finally got the $30 free pizza (perhaps just as important). no company is perfect, but based on what i've seen so far, hark is standing out.” [source](https://twitter.com/1684007057555431425/status/2111289504913101010)
- Praise, 2026-10-16, Introducing Hark Pro (YouTube): “i'm still surprised the free/non pro version is cable of...i'm lovin it, well done hark.” [source](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3mfnrEwaA0&lc=Ugy8TujEiRSo_KPaNSt4AaABAg)
- Complaint, 2026-10-17, Play Store (Play Store): “don't download. scam !!!! 😭😭 waste of time . got lied to. they let you go till the end 😔 then block you. . . . wth” [source](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.hark.android)
- Complaint, 2026-10-07, @hark_labs (X): “@pengchenop @hark_labs unfortunately, it's too late, i can only use the free version of pro, and it can't be changed to version 2.” [source](https://twitter.com/232764451/status/2107760657529729348)
- Complaint, 2026-10-06, X search: Hark Pro, hark.com, Hark AI (X): “hark can be logged in. hark pro only has a validity period of one month, which is far worse than the eggs obtained from muse. [link]” [source](https://twitter.com/1871185338816729088/status/2107542267900961186)

### Hermes Agent

- Praise, 2026-10-12, @NousResearch (X): “@hermesagenttips huge props to @nousresearch for providing such a valuable free tier as well tbh! no reason to not have one if you use hermes imho 😁” [source](https://twitter.com/391026632/status/2109634863653347377)
- Praise, 2026-10-11, @NousResearch (X): “@hermeswatcher unfortunately, i have a disability that prevents me from working, and i sincerely thank @hermeswatcher and @nousresearch for their free templates, because otherwise i wouldn't be able to use them. i'm not a big spender, but thanks to you, i'm happy.” [source](https://twitter.com/1383609782393741313/status/2109258335262253263)
- Praise, 2026-10-09, X search: Hermes Agent, hermes-agent, Hermes Desktop (X): “i wrote an article after a long time 🐷 this is a story about how hermes agent can be used quite well for free. [link]” [source](https://twitter.com/1397844241259237378/status/2108539462460559746)
- Complaint, 2026-10-09, How to Set Up Hermes Agent on Your Computer (Desktop App) (YouTube): “weird, but as of today, nous free subscription requires a cred card. no thank you.” [source](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAss7qQk9W4&lc=UgzIfcXacHOJVCm_xTB4AaABAg)
- Complaint, 2026-09-27, X search: Hermes Agent, hermes-agent, Hermes Desktop (X): “@bkashjosi @matheusferro67 @teknium it looks like hermes agent only support the gemini api rather than the subscription. i'm already a gemini pro subscriber, so i'd rather not pay extra for api usage.” [source](https://twitter.com/2070693084200099840/status/2104262771647152511)
- Complaint, 2026-09-27, TUTORIAL PASANG AI AGENT MURAH MERIAH (HERMES AGENT + 9ROUTER) (YouTube): “after some time installed, hermes is asking for payment, boss...” [source](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVGQULc853Y&lc=Ugyh7gOYDMlkNCjVGbt4AaABAg)

### OpenClaw

- Praise, 2026-10-10, X search: OpenClaw, openclaw.ai (X): “@thsottiaux pay a monthly subscription to use another monthly subscription? lmao. 🤣🤣. this is inception. open-source 4 life. hermes agent and/or openclaw work just fine in this aspect.” [source](https://twitter.com/1843789899922587648/status/2108907121769173137)
- Praise, 2026-10-01, X search: OpenClaw, openclaw.ai (X): “@scottmcpherson @sweetchongus @rezoundous openclaw has been doing this for a while now and it’s not behind a openai paywal” [source](https://twitter.com/1566430405405851649/status/2105646090813067368)
- Praise, 2026-09-29, X search: OpenClaw, openclaw.ai (X): “@sama no dots for us simple plus users either, guess i’m sticking with openclaw and hermes where i can use my plus subscription” [source](https://twitter.com/1824896943991971840/status/2105005755829194777)

### ChatGPT Dots

- Praise, 2026-10-16, OpenAI Dots Is Already Changing How AI Agents Look (YouTube): “i think people are sleeping on these dot agents. i've completely redone many workflows and processes to take advantage of the dots (and the 100% free usage for a month).” [source](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sj9SfzUXTjM&lc=Ugx6QffdN7T1jH9f9AB4AaABAg)
- Praise, 2026-10-04, ChatGPT Dots Runs My Content Now (8 Real Solo Creator Use Cases) (YouTube): “i’m enjoying dot so far and dot usage i believe is free for october.” [source](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPSszILPMUs&lc=Ugx8wmZFAt5zXNqPgeJ4AaABAg)
- Praise, 2026-09-30, X search: ChatGPT dots, ChatGPT dot, OpenAI dots, OpenAI's dot (X): “it's nice that chatgpt dots comes with a cloud environment that includes software like blender. it's good that it comes with the chatgpt subscription.” [source](https://twitter.com/1217626524364312576/status/2105309573045493832)
- Complaint, 2026-10-10, ChatGPT Dots Is WAY More Powerful Than You Think (YouTube): “i pay for the 20 dollars a month plan. i think pro is required so i don't see dots. i need to pay 100 dollars a month just to get it ...... i'd rather just use hermes agent or any other free agent i control and use the api instead” [source](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXhOxfPECnM&lc=UgzHWZX8k5jQNo4ao1J4AaABAg.AblKcjCplJXAbn97lRUhf9)
- Complaint, 2026-10-10, OpenAIの新機能！24時間働くAIエージェント「dots」の使用感や課金すべきか解説してみた (YouTube): “i'm using it, but it only works for free this month, you know... (´･ω･`)” [source](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTNCwOYrww0&lc=Ugzo5KBcgbjpucroVL94AaABAg)
- Complaint, 2026-10-09, Я поручил ChatGPT Dots сделать всю мою работу – вот что получилось! ИИ-агенты от ChatGPT – тест. (YouTube): “and this is not in the subscription + this is sad, only in the pro subscription for oligarchs?” [source](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuiU0EDFqCo&lc=Ugwc8Ftg9DRPCA4Uz3h4AaABAg)

### Grok Bot

- Praise, 2026-10-11, X search: Grok Bot, Grokbot, x.ai/bot (X): “i'm prepared to drop my cursor sub and only use codex for personal use, then i just realized that grokbot actually runs on @cursor_ai sub even only the $20, while dots only for pro user. now i know which one i should keep.” [source](https://twitter.com/2066492269260361728/status/2109145462070747253)
- Praise, 2026-10-11, X search: Grok Bot, Grokbot, x.ai/bot (X): “@burntfox jumped on the $30 for 3 months super grok deal. comes with grok bot. 🔥” [source](https://twitter.com/1750215098021384192/status/2109304972806402259)
- Praise, 2026-10-06, @bot (X): “i have been playing with the free version and i am hooked! @bot” [source](https://twitter.com/1772993403816382464/status/2107441182162685952)
- Complaint, 2026-10-17, @bot (X): “@elonmusk @bot i am in the premium teir and grok bot connecting to x wants me to add api credits.” [source](https://twitter.com/1850964027217956864/status/2111257522174873910)
- Complaint, 2026-10-17, Play Store (Play Store): “you only get 1 time trial and done. then, they won't let you use it without any charged subscription.” [source](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ai.x.grok.bot)
- Complaint, 2026-10-17, Play Store (Play Store): “haven't done anything yet and already asked to pay, uninstall.” [source](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ai.x.grok.bot)

### Gemini Spark

- Complaint, 2026-10-15, X search: Gemini Spark (X): “so no more gemini spark for pro-account users, this is some bs from google...” [source](https://twitter.com/1020412958122356737/status/2110566736206393403)
- Complaint, 2026-09-22, Nuevo GEMINI SPARK. El agente IA que lo hace TODO por ti (YouTube): “in gemini, you have to pay for a pro or ultra account, chat gpt gives it to you for free with the work tool from your local account on your pc.” [source](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bF9Ur90jAAc&lc=Ugx_litPZsCbeGqO-oB4AaABAg)
- Complaint, 2026-09-13, X search: Gemini Spark (X): “gemini spark, is it not included in the workspace... what a disappointment.” [source](https://twitter.com/5079811/status/2099271075486171306)

### Instinct

- Praise, 2026-10-01, X search: Instinct AI, Instinct personal assistant, instinct.com (X): “@momo_studyblog i use instinct ai, though it’s an invite only startup, it’s one of the most useful tools i’ve used (and free for now) but typically claude will be running through a lot of my workflows with hermes and i use chatgpt for general purpose” [source](https://twitter.com/1878331479677341696/status/2105780477843943770)
- Praise, 2026-09-24, X search: Instinct AI, Instinct personal assistant, instinct.com (X): “@alexfinn @alexfinn you need to do a review of instinct ai. have @noahrshinn on as a guest. it’s the best tool i’ve ever used and it not close. also absolutely free (as of now). just raised at a $10b valuation [link] go falcons, pats suck” [source](https://twitter.com/1867536761636761600/status/2103238096103895047)
- Praise, 2026-10-15, I quit Openclaw. Here's what I use now. (YouTube): “i've been using instinct for the last week and i'm blown away, just the basic chat alone is much better than chat or gemini. it creates docs, edits videos, creates routines and at no cost.. for now” [source](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ik8cyqLfLDE&lc=UgyElIwzyzv7HMRhiTZ4AaABAg)

### Poke

- Praise, 2026-09-26, @interaction (X): “i was unexpectedly reposted by the original poke @interaction. poke is an interesting personal agent, so i will enjoy using it. it's free, and i can recommend it as a tool for those who want to try a personal agent first.” [source](https://twitter.com/107463790/status/2103886296217530607)
- Praise, 2026-09-30, @interaction (X): “i keep using @interaction ‘s poke when i feel like talking to a bot which can encourage me to learn something, keep me on the right track it’s that good even in its free tier! thanks founders of poke :)” [source](https://twitter.com/941844094145327104/status/2105186956183482671)