ChatGPT rose to prominence in the world of generative AI when OpenAI made it available to the public for free, but there are associated costs.
Released on November 30, 2022, OpenAI’s ChatGPT quickly became synonymous with accessible generative AI. The team has continuously enhanced the service, enabling it to learn from users through ongoing memory and introducing an upgraded voice mode for real-time interactions.
However, with added features and improvements come increased expenses. Here’s a breakdown of ChatGPT’s pricing and the availability of a free version.
Is ChatGPT available for free?
From the outset, ChatGPT has been accessible for free. Initially, the free version had limited functionalities, but OpenAI has since expanded its capabilities even in the free option.
Now, free users can utilize OpenAI’s flagship GPT-4o model, providing responses sourced from web content, access to the GPT Store for additional chatbot features, and the ability to upload files, photos, and ask related questions.
User preferences are stored as “memories,” enabling the AI to learn and improve over time. There’s also advanced data analysis capability to analyze various file types like spreadsheets and PDFs.
However, there are limitations with the free version to incentivize users to consider upgrading to a paid plan. Daily capacity limits apply to the more advanced GPT-4o model, beyond which users will be downgraded to the GPT-3.5 model.
What are the costs of ChatGPT?
For users seeking enhanced features, there’s the option to upgrade to ChatGPT Plus for $20 per month.
This upgrade provides five times more capacity than the free version, early access to future learning models, and new tools like OpenAI’s macOS client. Users can also benefit from advanced data analysis features, integration with cloud storage services like Google Drive and Microsoft OneDrive, and local device storage.
Additional plans cater to different user needs. For small businesses looking for multiple licenses, there’s ChatGPT Team at $30 per user per month or $25 per user per month billed annually, with options for up to 149 users.
ChatGPT Team offers dedicated workspace and admin tools for team management, along with the ability to build custom apps based on OpenAI models for specific team requirements.
For larger organizations, there’s ChatGPT Enterprise priced at $60 per user per month with a minimum of 150 users and a 12-month contract. This plan offers privacy, data analysis, performance enhancements, and customization options.
ChatGPT Enterprise users can also access shareable templates, build internal workflows, and create custom solutions tailored to their organization’s needs. Business Associate Agreements with OpenAI are available for compliance with data privacy regulations like HIPAA.
Are there affordable options for ChatGPT?
Students, university faculty, and nonprofits can explore specialized plans like ChatGPT Edu and OpenAI for Nonprofits with discounted pricing options.
ChatGPT Edu, tailored for educational institutions, operates similarly to ChatGPT Enterprise and supports SCIM for simplified identity and access management.
OpenAI for Nonprofits offers tiered discounts for eligible organizations, enabling nonprofits to access ChatGPT Team at a reduced rate or receive significant discounts on ChatGPT Enterprise for larger nonprofits.
Strict eligibility criteria apply for organizations interested in availing of these discounts. OpenAI does not currently accept applications from certain institutions like academic, medical, religious, or governmental entities.
