You know that moment when you realize you’ve been missing out on something right under your nose? That happened to me recently with X (formerly Twitter) Premium.
I’ve been using X for years following AI thought leaders, sharing insights, keeping up with the tech world. But I’ll be honest, I never saw the point of paying for it. Blue checkmarks? Not my thing. Ad-free browsing? Nice, but not worth $16/month.
Then I discovered the Grok API access that comes with Premium+. And everything changed.
What Most People Get Wrong About X Premium
Here’s what I see all the time: people think X Premium is just about verification badges and seeing fewer ads. That’s like buying a Tesla for the cup holders.
The real value? Access to one of the most capable AI models available today—Grok.
If you’re not familiar with Grok, it’s xAI’s flagship AI model, built by Elon Musk’s team. What makes it different from ChatGPT or Claude? Real-time access to everything happening on X. Current events, trending topics, breaking news—Grok sees it all as it happens.
The Grok API: Why This Matters for You
Let me break down why this got me excited.
1. Real-Time Intelligence
Other AI models are trained on data that’s months or even years old. Grok? It’s plugged directly into the pulse of what’s happening right now. When I’m researching market trends, tracking industry news, or trying to understand what people are actually talking about, Grok delivers insights that other AIs simply can’t.
2. API Access for Builders
Here’s where it gets interesting for technical folks. With X Premium+, you get credits toward the Grok API. This means you can build applications, automate workflows, and integrate Grok’s capabilities into your own tools.
I’ve been using it to: – Monitor AI industry conversations in real-time – Generate content ideas based on trending topics – Research competitors and market sentiment – Build automated reporting tools
3. Higher Usage Limits
The free tier of Grok is… let’s be honest, frustrating. You get 10 prompts every two hours. That’s barely enough to have a meaningful conversation. With Premium+, those limits disappear (or at least become much more reasonable).
The X Premium Tiers: Which One Should You Choose?
Let me save you the confusion I went through:
X Premium Basic ($3/month) – Edit posts, longer posts, some basic features – Very limited Grok access – Skip this unless you just want minor posting upgrades
X Premium ($8/month)
– Blue checkmark – Reduced ads (not ad-free) – Better Grok access – Good for casual users who want some AI help
X Premium+ ($16/month) – Everything above, plus ad-free experience – Highest Grok limits – API credits included – This is what you want if you’re serious about using Grok
SuperGrok ($30/month) – Standalone Grok subscription – Maximum AI capabilities – Best for power users who want Grok without the social features
My Honest Take: Is It Worth It?
Here’s my calculation:
I was already paying $20/month for ChatGPT Plus. Adding X Premium+ at $16/month might seem like I’m doubling my AI spending. But here’s what I realized:
Grok does things ChatGPT can’t—specifically, real-time social intelligence. For market research, trend tracking, and staying current with my industry, it’s genuinely valuable.
The Bottom Line: – If you’re a casual X user who wants basic AI help: X Premium ($8/month) is probably enough – If you’re building things, doing research, or need real-time insights: X Premium+ ($16/month) is worth every penny – If you’re all-in on Grok and don’t care about X social features: SuperGrok ($30/month) makes sense
How to Get Started
- Go to your X settings
- Navigate to “Premium”
- Choose your tier
- Start using Grok immediately
The API documentation is available at console.x.ai once you’re subscribed.
The Bigger Picture
We’re living in an era where AI access is becoming a competitive advantage. The professionals who learn to leverage these tools—not just ChatGPT, but specialized models like Grok—will have insights their competitors don’t.
X Premium isn’t just a social media subscription anymore. It’s an investment in staying ahead.
Have you tried Grok yet? I’d love to hear about your experience. Drop a comment below or find me on X @kgauraw.