ChatGPT became the face of generative AI when OpenAI released it to the public for free, but there are some costs.
OpenAI’s ChatGPT launched on November 30, 2022 and has quickly become synonymous with public-facing generative AI. Since then, the team has continuously developed the service’s features, expanding them to learn from you through persistent memory and developing an upgraded voice mode, allowing users to interact with the platform in real time.
However, with more features and improvements come increased costs. Here’s a look at How much does ChatGPT cost? And whether you can use it for free.
Can you use ChatGPT for free?
From the beginning, I was able to use ChatGPT for free. However, it was initially very limited in what it could do in its free version. Thanks to more productive AI models, OpenAI has been able to add more features even to the free version.
Now, free ChatGPT users can use OpenAI’s groundbreaking GPT-4o model. This provides responses using content found across the web, access to the GPT store to add add-ons to your chatbot, and the ability to upload files and images and ask questions about those uploads.
Users’ preferences are also stored as ‘memories’, which means they learn from you the more you use them. There is also advanced data analysis, where possible Analyze data and files such as spreadsheets and PDF files.
Of course, there are downsides to trying to encourage users to upgrade to the paid version. There are daily capacity limits on the more advanced GPT-4o model, after which you will automatically be downgraded to the lower GPT-3.5 model.
How much does ChatGPT cost?
For users who want more from ChatGPT, you can upgrade to ChatGPT Plus at a cost of $20 per month.
This offers five times more capacity than the free version, plus priority early access Learning models updated in the future New tools and features, such as OpenAI’s macOS client for ChatGPT. Users can also use more data analysis features to create interactive charts and tables, as well as integration with Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, and device storage.
There are other plans you should be aware of as well, depending on who you are and what you’re using ChatGPT for. For those who own a small business or organization and want more than one ChatGPT license, you can pay for ChatGPT Team at $30 per user per month or $25 per user per month billed annually, with plans available for up to 149 users.
In addition to all the features that come with ChatGPT Plus, ChatGPT Team offers a dedicated workspace and administrative tools for managing the team. Team members can also create and share custom apps, much like those found in the GPT Store, based on OpenAI models to better fine-tune the model to suit their community needs.
For larger organizations, the next tier is ChatGPT Enterprise, priced at $60 per user per month with at least 150 users and a 12-month contract. This company-focused plan has not been publicly announced in terms of price, but those terms are what those with a contract have reported.
This plan includes all of the above and also “enterprise-level” privacy and data analysis, plus enhanced performance and customization options. It’s not clear exactly what this improved performance brings, but the admin console features tools to help manage how employees use ChatGPT. There are also integrations for single sign-on, domain verification, and a dashboard that displays usage and engagement statistics.
Shareable conversation templates also help ChatGPT Enterprise users bundle internal workflows and bots within ChatGPT to get more from the platform. Businesses can also create fully customized solutions to suit their needs as required.
Last but not least, ChatGPT Enterprise customers are eligible for business associate agreements with OpenAI, which are required by US law for companies that use tools like ChatGPT with private health information like medical records.
Are there less expensive options for ChatGPT?
For students, as well as university faculty, researchers, and campus operations teams, there is also a ChatGPT Edu plan. This is a relatively new offering with unpublished prices that are meant to be offered upon request. It works a lot like ChatGPT Enterprise, plus it supports SCIM. This open protocol helps simplify cloud identity and access management.
Another new plan is OpenAI for Nonprofits, a very recent offering geared toward nonprofit technology solutions. It doesn’t come with its own set of features but works more like a tiered set of discounts for selected eligible establishments.
In real terms, these discounts mean that nonprofits can access the ChatGPT team at a discounted price of $20 per month per user. Larger nonprofits (those who need more than 149 users) can get a 50% discount on ChatGPT Enterprise, which works out to about $30 per user.
However, interested organizations must prove themselves through various stringent eligibility requirements. They can be based anywhere in the world to apply for discounts, but OpenAI is not currently accepting applications from academic, medical, religious, or government institutions.