ChatGPT is OpenAI's AI assistant, available free with unlimited text chat and paid tiers that unlock more advanced models, higher usage limits and team controls. What decides whether it suits you is which models you need access to and how much you use image generation, deep research, voice and agent tasks in a month.
What is ChatGPT?
ChatGPT is made by OpenAI, whose US entity, OpenAI OpCo, LLC, is headquartered in San Francisco, California. It runs on the web, on desktop apps for Windows and Mac, and on iOS and Android.
ChatGPT only offers its own GPT model family in the app: GPT-6.1 Sol, GPT-6 Astra, GPT-6 Sol, GPT-6 Luna, GPT-5.6 Sol, GPT-5.6 Sol Pro, GPT-5.6 Terra, GPT-5.6 Luna and GPT-5 Thinking Mini, with no other company's models available.
What you can do with ChatGPT
GPT-6 Luna and GPT-5 Thinking Mini are available on the Free plan. GPT-6.1 Sol, GPT-6 Astra, GPT-6 Sol and the older GPT-5.6 Sol require Plus or above, and GPT-5.6 Sol Pro requires the Pro plan. Web search is included on every individual plan.
Deep research is limited on Free and Go and full from Plus up. File uploads are limited on Free and unrestricted from Go up. Image generation is limited and slower on Free, and unlimited and faster on Pro. Voice is included from Free, with an expanded version and voice with video from Go up, and unlimited voice on Pro.
ChatGPT Work is the agent for longer, multi-step tasks; it is available in a limited form on desktop starting on Free. Data analysis, ChatGPT's code-running feature, is limited on Free and included from Go up. Memory is limited on Free and full from Go up. Projects are included on every individual plan, including Free.
Connected apps let ChatGPT work with information from Google Workspace, Google Drive, Slack, GitHub and Microsoft 365, though which apps are available depends on plan, region and workspace.
Working with other people
Business is built for teams of 2 to 200 employees, with flexible seat types, SAML single sign-on and SOC 2 Type 2 compliance. It connects to Google Workspace, Slack, GitHub and Microsoft 365. A separate API is available through OpenAI's developer platform.
ChatGPT pricing: what each plan gives
The Free plan costs nothing and gives unlimited text chats with GPT-6 Luna, subject to abuse guardrails, plus limited uploads, limited and slower image generation, limited voice chats, limited deep research, limited memory and context, limited Codex access and limited ChatGPT Work on desktop.
Go costs $8 a month per user and raises those usage limits with more messages, uploads, image creation, voice chats and longer memory, though it still does not unlock GPT-6.1 Sol, GPT-6 Astra or GPT-6 Sol, and this plan may include ads. Plus costs $20 a month per user. Pro is sold from $100 a month per user; a $200 a month tier, Pro 20x, also exists but new sign-ups to it are currently paused. Business is priced per seat, with a standard seat at $25 a month ($20 a month billed annually) and a premium seat at $125 a month ($100 a month billed annually), for teams of 2 to 200.
Privacy and security
On individual plans, conversations can be used to train OpenAI's models by default, with an opt-out available in account settings. Business and Enterprise plans are not used to train models. OpenAI's privacy policy for Europe covers GDPR, and Business and Enterprise plans add SOC 2 Type 2 compliance and SAML single sign-on.
Support runs through a chat bubble on the help center, starting with a virtual assistant.
Who ChatGPT suits
ChatGPT suits people who want a single assistant for everyday text chat, web search, file analysis, image generation and voice, and who are willing to pay more for access to its newest models or for higher usage limits.
It suits less well anyone who wants another company's models inside the same app, since ChatGPT only offers its own GPT family, or teams that need Business-level security controls like single sign-on on a plan cheaper than Business.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does ChatGPT cost?
The Free plan costs nothing. Paid individual plans start at Go for $8 a month, then Plus for $20 a month and Pro from $100 a month, and Business is priced per seat from $25 a month for a standard seat.
Which ChatGPT models can I use, and on which plan?
GPT-6 Luna and GPT-5 Thinking Mini are on the Free plan. GPT-6.1 Sol, GPT-6 Astra, GPT-6 Sol and the older GPT-5.6 Sol require Plus or above, and GPT-5.6 Sol Pro requires Pro.
Does ChatGPT include an agent for multi-step tasks?
Yes. ChatGPT Work is built for longer, multi-step work and finished deliverables, and it is available in a limited form on desktop starting on the Free plan.
Does ChatGPT train on my conversations?
On individual plans, training is on by default but you can opt out in your account settings. Business and Enterprise plans are not used to train OpenAI's models at all.
