The $8 X Subscription: What You Actually Get, and What Now Costs Extra

Short on time? Watch the quick version above, or keep reading for the full breakdown: what each tier includes, what now costs extra, and three questions to ask before you switch.

In October 2026, SpaceXSI introduced The X Subscription: one plan that bundles Grok, the Cursor coding tool, and X (formerly Twitter) Premium, starting at $8 a month.

The headline price gets your attention. The fine print determines what you actually pay.

Short answer: If you mainly use Grok and X, the bundle could offer good value. But if you use Cursor with Claude, GPT, or Gemini, check the costs before switching. Those third-party models are no longer included in the new subscription plans. They are billed separately from the first request.

What Does The X Subscription Cost?

The subscription has five individual tiers:

Plan	Monthly price	Included usage	Main benefits
Free	$0	Limited	Daily Grok access, starter Cursor allowance, standard X
Plus	$8	Base	More Grok and Cursor usage, X Premium benefits
Premium	$30	4× Plus	Latest Grok models, Grok Bot, cloud agents, third-party model access at extra cost
Super	$100	15× Plus	Premium benefits and priority model access
Ultra	$200	50× Plus	Super benefits and earliest access to new products and models

SpaceXSI markets the $30 Premium plan as combining benefits previously associated with SuperGrok, Cursor Pro, and X Premium+.

But a bundle is only a bargain if you actually use what it includes.

What Does the $8 Plan Actually Get You?

The $8 Plus plan is a step up from free, but it isn’t the complete toolkit.

You get additional Grok and Cursor usage, access to Grok Chat, Voice, Imagine, and Build, and certain X Premium features.

However, two limitations matter.

First, the latest Grok models and Cursor’s cloud agents begin at the $30 Premium tier.

Second, the $8 tier only supports Grok models inside Cursor. You cannot use Claude, GPT, or Gemini through Cursor on that plan.

Paid plans also offer Grok API access, but API usage is charged separately at standard model rates. It does not come out of your included subscription allowance.

So if you need the latest models, cloud agents, or access to competing AI models inside Cursor, your starting price is $30 rather than $8.

The Bigger Cost: Claude, GPT, and Gemini in Cursor

This is where the new subscription changes the buying decision.

Cursor’s new pricing structure separates included Grok and Cursor-model usage from third-party model usage.

On Premium, Super, and Ultra, you can use supported third-party models, including Claude and GPT. But you pay their API list prices from prepaid credit, starting with your first request.

That means a $30 subscription doesn’t necessarily mean a $30 monthly bill.

For example, someone who regularly uses Claude inside Cursor could pay the $30 subscription fee plus additional charges for Claude usage.

The exact total depends on the models selected, how many tokens they process, and how frequently they’re used.

By comparison, legacy Cursor Pro, Pro+, and Ultra plans included separate allowances for third-party models.

The important distinction is simple: the new bundle includes more usage of its own models, but third-party models are metered extras.

If you mainly use Grok or Cursor’s included models, that could work in your favor.

If you rely on Claude or GPT for coding, the new pricing could be more expensive than your current arrangement.

Before switching, review your model usage and set a spending cap for additional charges.

What Happens to OpenAI Models in Cursor?

OpenAI has announced plans to wind down its model-supply contract with Cursor following the SpaceX acquisition.

November 12, 2026, has been proposed as a transition date, but it should not be treated as a guaranteed final cutoff.

This also does not necessarily mean that every way of using OpenAI models within Cursor will disappear. Alternative integrations may remain available, with their own setup and billing requirements.

If you depend on GPT models in Cursor, review the available integrations and pricing before making a subscription change.

Already Paying for Cursor, SuperGrok, or X Premium?

You do not have to switch.

According to the official documentation, existing subscribers can retain their legacy plans, prices, and features unless they choose to change or cancel them.

That matters because legacy Cursor plans include separate monthly usage pools for Cursor models and third-party models.

The new subscription instead uses a shared weekly allowance for eligible Grok and Cursor usage, with third-party models billed separately.

There is another important warning: switching existing accounts to The X Subscription is permanent. SpaceXSI says the change cannot be undone, even through support.

Eligible unused subscription time may be refunded on a prorated basis, although app-store billing can require separate action.

If you’re paying for Cursor Pro primarily to use Claude, your existing plan may be the better deal.

Don’t give it up until you’ve compared your actual usage.

Three Questions to Ask Before Switching

1. Which AI models do you actually use?

Look at your normal workflow.

If you primarily use Grok or Cursor’s included models, the new bundle might reduce your costs.

If you regularly use Claude, GPT, or Gemini inside Cursor, estimate the additional API charges before switching.

2. Do you need the features in the $30 tier?

If you need the latest Grok models, cloud coding agents, or third-party model access, the $8 plan is not enough.

Compare the $30 tier with what you’re already paying rather than making the decision based on the advertised entry price.

3. Are you already paying for multiple services in this bundle?

If you’re paying separately for Cursor, Grok, and X Premium, combining them could be worthwhile.

But if you never use X Premium, its inclusion doesn’t automatically make the subscription valuable to you.

The real question is how much you’d pay for the features you actually use.

The Bigger Lesson: A Bundle Isn’t Always a Bargain

Before paying for another AI subscription, it’s worth asking whether the additional features will actually improve your workflow. Our guide to when a specialized AI tool is worth paying for explains how to make that decision.

AI companies increasingly offer several products under one subscription.

That can simplify billing and sometimes save money. But it can also make it harder to see which features are included and which ones generate additional charges.

The X Subscription illustrates that distinction.

The advertised entry price is $8 a month. The cost of the workflow you actually want could be $30 plus separately billed model usage.

Before upgrading, switching, or canceling an existing AI plan, spend a week checking which models and features you use.

The best AI subscription isn’t necessarily the cheapest advertised bundle. It’s the one that completes your work at the lowest practical total cost.

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How we reviewed this: The Income Edge examined official SpaceXSI and Cursor announcements, pricing pages, and documentation. We have not purchased or personally tested The X Subscription. Pricing and features may change. We are not affiliates for SpaceXSI, X, or Cursor. AI assisted with research and drafting; the article is subject to human editorial review.