A couple of years ago Yandex released the Alisa AI app, which provides free access to an AI assistant in Russian. And now when you open the app, you’re immediately offered to subscribe to the Alisa Plus option. Where did it come from and why does access to the neural network now cost money? I break down what it is, how it differs from the previous Alisa Pro, and whether it’s worth 199 rubles per month.

Explaining the Alisa Plus option from Yandex

How Alisa Plus Differs from Alisa Pro

Alisa Plus and Alisa Pro are the same product in different iterations. Yandex renamed the option and expanded its functionality at the same time. The main differences:

  • The price increased from 99 to 199 rubles per month;
  • The “Explore” AI agent was added (up to 10 deep research tasks per month analyzing dozens of sources);
  • English language practice with feedback appeared (both text and voice);
  • Priority access to the powerful version of Alisa AI now extends to both the web chat and Yandex Station.

Children’s skills from Yandex Textbook methodologists, unlimited chat history, and Live mode for personalized communication remained in place. Essentially, Yandex took Alisa Pro, added two significant new features, and doubled the price.

What Is Alisa Plus and What Does It Offer

Alisa Plus lets you use Yandex’s neural network to its fullest. Image: Yandex

Alisa Plus features are divided into several categories — I’ll break down each one honestly:

  • Priority access to Alisa AI. When Yandex’s servers are under heavy load, regular users get a limited version or have to wait. Alisa Plus subscribers get the full power of the neural network even during peak hours. It’s noticeably better in the evenings and on weekends.
  • “Explore” AI agent. You ask a complex question — the agent builds a research plan on its own, analyzes dozens of sources, writes and runs code for calculations if needed, and generates a structured report with references. Available to all users in a limited mode; with the Alisa Plus option — up to 10 full-scale research tasks per month.
  • English practice. Conversational practice with feedback: Alisa evaluates each reply or the entire conversation and points out mistakes. Works in both text chat and voice through the app or Station.
  • Children’s skills. Interactive lessons from Yandex Textbook methodologists, games, quests, task reminders, help with sleep schedules. Useful if you have school-age children.

You can also learn separately about how to edit photos through the Alisa AI neural network. This is one of the basic features available without a subscription. Alisa Plus specifically expands scenarios for work and learning, not image editing.

How to Set Up Alisa Plus on Android

To set it up, you need an active Yandex Plus subscription — without it, you won’t be able to activate Alisa Plus. If you don’t have a subscription, sign up for one first. An annual Yandex Plus subscription costs less than a monthly one — it’s worth considering right away to save money.

Setting up through the Alisa AI app:

  1. Open the Alisa AI app on Android.
  2. Tap the profile icon in the upper right corner.
  3. Select “Alisa Plus” or “Activate option.”
  4. Tap “Try for free” — the first 30 days are free.
  5. Confirm activation through your Yandex account.

The option is activated through the app

Setting up through the website:

  1. Go to alice.yandex.ru/option_alice_plus.
  2. Log in to your Yandex account.
  3. Click “Try 30 days for free.”
  4. Confirm activation.

You can also set it up through the website

The price of Alisa Plus is 199 rubles per month after the trial period ends. To avoid being charged, disable auto-renewal in Yandex Plus settings before the 30 days expire. You can find this option in the “Subscriptions and services” section of your Yandex account.

Is Alisa Plus Worth 199 Rubles

Paid Alisa is justified if:

  • You regularly use Alisa for complex tasks (analysis, research, writing texts);
  • You’re learning English and want practice with live feedback;
  • You have school-age children (children’s skills from Yandex Textbook are genuinely useful);
  • You’re annoyed by Alisa slowing down in the evenings and on weekends.

It’s not worth paying if you only use Alisa for basic commands (playing music, checking the weather, setting a timer). The free version is sufficient for that. The Alisa subscription at 199 rubles only makes sense with regular use of AI features; otherwise, the money goes to waste.

Yandex Plus with Alisa bundled together is a separate conversation: if you’re already paying for Plus, the additional 199 rubles for Alisa Plus is less painful. If you have neither — calculate the total cost.