Is Google AI Pro Worth It? Comparing Antigravity, Codex, and Anthropic

When deciding which AI subscription is actually worth your monthly spend, the answer depends entirely on your lifestyle outside of the code editor. If you are a heavy YouTube consumer who also needs a functional AI coding harness, Google AI Pro is currently the best value on the market. While its primary coding harness, Antigravity, is technically inferior to high-end rivals like Claude or Codex, the ecosystem benefits create a package that is difficult to ignore.

In this field report, I’m breaking down why I’m sticking with Google’s ecosystem while cutting high-end subscriptions as I move into a heavier BJJ and running training season. When you are training twice a day, you need tools that support your performance without draining your budget on features you no longer have the time to use.

The AI Subscription Comparison: Value vs. Raw Power

For the past few months, I have been running a series of experiments across the major AI tiers. I’ve tested the $200 "Ultra" plans from Google, Anthropic, and Codex. My conclusion? Most users—even power users—are overpaying. Here is how the landscape looks right now:

For most of us, the deciding factor is utility vs. ecosystem. If you don't watch YouTube, a specialized model like Mini Max M3 might serve you better for pure coding. But if you live on YouTube for BJJ tutorials, tech reviews, or entertainment, the "bonus" of ad-free viewing via YouTube Premium makes the Google subscription almost impossible to beat. It effectively turns a $20 AI subscription into a $5 AI subscription when you subtract the cost of the media service you're already paying for.

Google Antigravity vs. The Competition

I’ll be honest: I think Google Antigravity is the worst of the major harnesses in terms of overall reasoning and complex coding capabilities. When you compare the architectural logic I get from Claude or the agent-handling reliability of Codex, Antigravity feels a half-step behind. It struggles with long-range dependencies that its rivals handle with ease.

However, Google AI Pro offers higher usage limits than I expected. I was particularly disappointed with the $200 "Ultra" plans. In my testing, Google’s Ultra plan had surprisingly low limits for the price point, often cutting me off right when I was getting into a flow state. After pushing all three to their breaking points, I found that dropping back down to the Pro tier was the smarter move. It gives me exactly what I need: decent usage limits for Antigravity and that essential ad-free YouTube experience for my evening study sessions.

Training Season: Why I’m Cutting AI Subscriptions

The reason I’m auditing my subscriptions so closely right now is that my focus has shifted from building to performing. We are entering full training season, and my AI usage has naturally dropped because I have already finished building the systems I wanted—most notably my RE system for fitness and recovery tracking.

Currently, I am prioritizing physical output over digital architecture:

• Jiu Jitsu: I am back up to 4–5 BJJ sessions per week, focusing on high-percentage transitions.
• Running: My weekly mileage is back up to target levels as I prep for the winter season.
• Lifting: I’m following a new protocol built by AI and tracked through my RE system, ensuring I don't overtrain during high-volume BJJ weeks.

When you’re training this hard, you have less time to spend in the weeds with AI agents. I’ve already prepaid for a year of Anthropic, but if I hadn't, it would be the first one to go. I’m also considering downgrading my $100/month Codex subscription to the $20/month tier. While I’m hesitant because my Hermes agents currently rely on Codex, the reality is that I’m not building enough new infrastructure right now to justify the overhead.

Health Updates: Fixing the Deviated Septum

You can’t maintain a heavy training season if your health isn’t right. I recently went through a period of low activity due to some recurring health issues, including a return to AFib (Atrial Fibrillation) during high-stress periods. While the heart issues are manageable, they were complicated by a long-standing physical issue: a deviated septum.

For years in BJJ, I struggled with chronic nosebleeds. Because my cardiologist had me on blood thinners for the AFib, these nosebleeds weren't just annoying—they were dangerous. I would have bleeds that lasted for hours, often requiring medical intervention. I faced a frustrating circular argument with medical advice: I was told my blood thinners would be ineffective if I halved the dose to stop the bleeding, but I couldn't take the full dose because the bleeding was uncontrollable.

I finally took matters into my own hands and scheduled surgery to fix the septum. The procedure took less than an hour and was virtually painless. The difference in my quality of life is staggering. The ability to breathe perfectly through my nose while rolling and training Jiu Jitsu without the constant fear of a massive nosebleed has been life-changing. If you are a combat athlete with chronic nosebleeds, get the surgery. Don’t wait years like I did; the performance gain from proper nasal breathing is the best "supplement" you can get.

Final Verdict on AI Value

If you can only justify one AI subscription and you are an active person who consumes video content, Google AI Pro is the clear winner. At roughly $20 a month, the combination of a functional (if not elite) coding harness and YouTube Premium is the most efficient use of a tech budget. It keeps you in the game for building small projects while fueling your ability to learn from the best instructors on YouTube without interruption.

As I focus more on the mats and the road this season, my AI stack is becoming leaner and more automated. The goal is no longer to spend all day prompting, but to have my systems (like the RE system) support my physical performance in the background.

Check out the full discussion in the original video here: Google AI Pro, Antigravity, and Which AI Subscriptions Are Worth It

Disclaimer: This post reflects personal experience and commentary. It is not medical, legal, financial, or training advice. Always consult with a professional before making changes to your health or training regimen.