ChatGPT

General-purpose AI chat assistant for writing, questions, files, images and coding

Made by
OpenAI
Free plan
Free plan
Paid from
$8/mo
Skill level
Anyone
Works on
Web · iOS · Android · Mac · Windows · API
Checked 23 Sep 2026Visit ChatGPT →
Best for

Anyone who wants one all-round assistant for everyday writing, research, brainstorming, image creation and light coding.

Not great for

Heavy users on the Free or Go plans, who hit caps on uploads, image generation and deep research quickly, and Go may show ads.

Recent change GPT-6 Astra launched early Sept 2026; on 10 Sept 2026 OpenAI paused new sign-ups and upgrades to the $200 Pro plan due to Astra demand (the $100 Pro plan is unaffected).

What it is

ChatGPT is OpenAI’s AI assistant, and for most people it is the default place to start. You type or speak a request and it answers: drafting an email, explaining a topic, summarising a PDF, making an image, or helping with a spreadsheet formula. It remembers context within a conversation and, if you allow it, across conversations.

Its strength is breadth. One app covers writing, research, images, voice and light coding, and it runs on the web, phones and desktop. The free plan is generous for everyday chat. The limits show up when you lean on uploads, image generation or deep research, which is where the paid plans come in. The $8 Go plan raises limits cheaply, but OpenAI says it may carry ads.

One setting worth knowing: OpenAI uses consumer chats to train its models unless you turn off “Improve the model for everyone” under Settings, then Data controls.

Pricing

Free plan: Unlimited text chats with GPT-5.6 Luna (subject to abuse guardrails); limited uploads, slower/limited image generation, limited voice, deep research, memory and Codex access.

PlanPriceWhat you get
Free$0GPT-5.6 Luna; limited uploads, images, voice, deep research
Go$8/monthUS price per OpenAI; higher limits than Free; uses GPT-5.6 Luna, no GPT-5.6 Sol; OpenAI says it may include ads
Plus$20/monthMonthly billing; GPT-6 models, advanced reasoning, Projects, custom GPTs, expanded Codex
Pro ($100)$100/month5x Plus usage; Pro reasoning powered by GPT-6 Astra
Pro ($200 / Pro 20X)$200/month20x Plus usage; new sign-ups and upgrades paused since 10 Sept 2026
Business$25/user/monthBilled monthly ($20 if billed annually); minimum 2 users

Prices in US dollars, billed monthly unless the plan says otherwise. Makers change prices often; check their site before you buy.

Your data

OpenAI trains on consumer chats by default; turn off Settings > Data controls > 'Improve the model for everyone' to stop new chats being used (OpenAI Data Controls FAQ).

Under the hood

Runs on: GPT-5.6 Luna, GPT-5.6 Sol, GPT-6 Astra. Compare the models themselves in the model directory.

Sources checked (9)
  1. chatgpt.com
  2. help.openai.com
  3. help.openai.com
  4. openai.com
  5. help.openai.com
  6. openai.com
  7. help.openai.com
  8. fortune.com
  9. theaicareerlab.com

Alternatives

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