Baidu to Offer AI Chatbot Ernie Bot for Free from April 1
Chinese search engine leader Baidu announced that starting April 1, 2025, its AI chatbot Ernie Bot will be free on desktop and mobile, featuring an advanced deep search function and enhanced tool integration.
Published on April 1, 2025
Baidu, the Chinese search engine leader, announced on February 13, 2025, that its AI chatbot Ernie Bot will be freely available starting April 1, 2025. The move comes as Baidu leverages improved technology and reduced operational costs to expand access on both desktop and mobile platforms. The free offering will include not only the chatbot’s core functionalities but also an advanced deep search feature that promises enhanced reasoning and expert-level responses.
The decision to make Ernie Bot free is part of Baidu's broader strategy to remain competitive in China’s rapidly evolving AI landscape. Despite early adoption following the debut of ChatGPT in 2022, Baidu has faced challenges in achieving widespread usage of its large language model. Up until late 2023, premium services powered by the more advanced Ernie 4.0 model were available for 59.9 yuan per month. Now, by offering a no-cost version along with advanced capabilities such as long document processing, multilingual conversations, and tool integration, Baidu aims to boost user engagement and counter rivals like DeepSeek.