Mistral
: How to use it, features, and the business problems it solves

How to Use

1. Create an account

   Go to the official site (chat.mistral.ai) and sign up with an email address, Google account, or similar. You can start using the free plan right away.

2. Start a chat

   Type a question or instruction into the input field at the bottom of the screen. It can be used for a wide range of purposes, including writing, summarizing, translation, brainstorming, and code generation.

3. Toggle features

   Turn on web search, image generation, Deep Research, voice input, and more as needed. You can also upload PDFs and images to have their contents analyzed.

4. Organize with projects

   Group related conversations into "projects" and work continuously while sharing files and settings.

5. Use it for coding and work

   The coding agent can be used from the CLI and various IDEs (VS Code, JetBrains, Zed, and so on), assisting with everything from writing and testing code to deployment.

Features

• Conversational AI assistant

  Handle question answering, writing, summarizing, translation, and brainstorming in multiple languages, including Japanese.

• Web search

  Searches the web for the latest information and answers with sources.

• Deep Research

  Researches across the web, internal documents, and connected tools, and produces an analytical report with sources.

• Image generation and document analysis

  Generate images from text, and upload PDFs and images to read and analyze their contents.

• Voice input

  Using Mistral's voice model, you can give instructions or ask questions just by speaking.

• Memory and projects

  Includes memory that remembers past exchanges and preferences, and a project feature that manages conversations and files together.

• Coding agent

  Use an agent that assists with writing, testing, and deploying code from the CLI and major IDEs.

Pricing

Pricing is current as of June 2026. Amounts are in US dollars excluding tax, and the yen equivalent fluctuates with exchange rates. Check the official pricing page for the latest details.

*An Education plan for students at about $5.99/month is also available (student verification required).

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Use the latest models in Japanese starting from the free plan
• Everything from chat to image generation, web search, Deep Research, and coding is completed in one environment
• Originating in Europe (France), it tends to be chosen by companies that prioritize data protection and privacy
• Includes a coding agent that integrates with the CLI and major IDEs

Cons

• The interface (UI) is primarily in English, not a fully Japanese UI
• Compared with ChatGPT and others, awareness and the volume of information in Japan are still limited
• The free plan has usage limits

Reviews and Reputation

• Users praise it as a ChatGPT rival: "You can try the latest models for free" and "responses are fast."
• Points such as "European companies can prioritize data sovereignty" and "it covers everything from image generation to web search" are appreciated.
• On the other hand, some point out that the "UI is English-centric" and that "Japanese-language information is still scarce."

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q. Can I use Mistral (Le Chat) for free?

Yes. You can use the latest models on the free plan. There are limits on the number of messages, web searches, and coding uses, and using more requires a paid plan such as Pro.

Q. Does it support Japanese?

It supports Japanese input and output and can converse naturally in Japanese. However, the interface (UI) is primarily in English.

Q. What is the difference between "Le Chat" and "Vibe"?

Mistral's chat product was previously called "Le Chat" and has since been renamed "Mistral Vibe." Your conversations, settings, and plan carry over unchanged.

Q. Can I use it for coding too?

Yes. In addition to code generation in the chat, it includes a coding agent that can be used from the CLI and major IDEs (VS Code, JetBrains, Zed, and so on).

How Mistral Differs from Other Conversational AI like ChatGPT

For a more detailed comparison, see the pages for related services as well.