Gemini Embedding 2 vs text-embedding-ada-002: price, context and capabilities

Choose Gemini Embedding 2 for images as input and the latest release. Choose text-embedding-ada-002 for the lowest price.

In short

  • text-embedding-ada-002 is 50% cheaper than Gemini Embedding 2 at the headline price ($0.10 / 1M tokens vs $0.20 / 1M tokens).
  • Gemini Embedding 2 reads more per request: 8k tokens against 8k.
  • Gemini Embedding 2 is the newer model (April 2026, against December 2022).
  • Only Gemini Embedding 2 offers vision, audio input, video input.

Open in the full comparison table

Which should you choose?

Each answer below comes straight from the published prices, specifications and independent benchmark results.

Lowest price

Choose text-embedding-ada-002

text-embedding-ada-002 costs $0.10 / 1M tokens, against $0.20 / 1M tokens for Gemini Embedding 2.

Images as input

Choose Gemini Embedding 2

Gemini Embedding 2 accepts images as input; text-embedding-ada-002 does not.

Latest release

Choose Gemini Embedding 2

Gemini Embedding 2 is the newer release (April 2026, against December 2022 for text-embedding-ada-002).

Specifications side by side

Gemini Embedding 2text-embedding-ada-002
ProviderGoogleOpenAI
CategoryEmbeddingsEmbeddings
StatusGenerally availableLegacy
Headline price$0.20 / 1M tokens$0.10 / 1M tokens
Context window8k8k
Max outputNo dataNo data
ReleasedApril 2026December 2022
Knowledge cutoffNo dataNo data
LicenceProprietaryProprietary
CapabilitiesVision, Audio input, Video inputNo data
API model idgemini-embedding-2text-embedding-ada-002

Frequently asked questions

Should I choose Gemini Embedding 2 or text-embedding-ada-002?

Choose Gemini Embedding 2 for images as input and the latest release. Choose text-embedding-ada-002 for the lowest price.

Which is cheaper, Gemini Embedding 2 or text-embedding-ada-002?

text-embedding-ada-002 is 50% cheaper than Gemini Embedding 2 at the headline price ($0.10 / 1M tokens vs $0.20 / 1M tokens).

Which has the larger context window, Gemini Embedding 2 or text-embedding-ada-002?

Gemini Embedding 2 reads more per request: 8k tokens against 8k.

What is the difference between Gemini Embedding 2 and text-embedding-ada-002?

Gemini Embedding 2 is made by Google and text-embedding-ada-002 by OpenAI. text-embedding-ada-002 is 50% cheaper than Gemini Embedding 2 at the headline price ($0.10 / 1M tokens vs $0.20 / 1M tokens). Gemini Embedding 2 reads more per request: 8k tokens against 8k. Gemini Embedding 2 is the newer model (April 2026, against December 2022). Only Gemini Embedding 2 offers vision, audio input, video input.

Which is newer, Gemini Embedding 2 or text-embedding-ada-002?

Gemini Embedding 2 was released on April 2026 and text-embedding-ada-002 on December 2022.