"With OpenAI Freeing GPT-4o, Who Still Needs to Pay for ChatGPT Plus?"

At its Spring updates event, OpenAI captured attention with the launch of GPT-4o, a groundbreaking multimodal AI that can process text, voice, and vision simultaneously, all while showcasing GPT-4 level intelligence. The company unveiled various video demonstrations, illustrating how the model can function as a personal assistant, similar to the character in the film "Her," assisting users with tasks ranging from translations to solving complex math problems.

GPT-4o processes voice inputs in about 320 milliseconds, matching the speed of human conversation. It can even gauge users' emotional states by analyzing their voice and facial expressions, adapting its own tone to reflect different emotions, drawing parallels to research conducted by Hume. Notably, OpenAI announced plans to provide this new model—and many advanced tools—to ChatGPT users for free.

In a blog post after the event, Sam Altman expressed pride in making the most advanced model accessible without ads: “We are a business and will find plenty of things to charge for, which will help us provide free, outstanding AI services to hopefully billions of people.”

This upgrade represents a significant enhancement for millions of free ChatGPT users, who were previously limited to GPT-3.5. However, it raises questions about the value of ChatGPT Plus, which was previously necessary to access advanced features.

ChatGPT Plus: Unlock Advanced Features

In February 2023, OpenAI introduced ChatGPT Plus, a subscription service allowing users to upgrade from the standard GPT-3.5 experience to the more powerful GPT-4. Over the following months, this $20/month plan was bolstered with features like advanced data analysis, internet browsing capabilities, DALL-E integration, conversation memory, and the option to create and use custom GPTs. The paid plan catered primarily to professional users looking to maximize their interaction with ChatGPT.

With the introduction of the GPT-4o model to free users, the landscape has shifted. Now, anyone accessing ChatGPT will have access to GPT-4 level intelligence at no cost. Furthermore, various tools, previously exclusive to Plus subscribers—such as web responses, chart analysis, image and file uploads for analysis, memory, and access to the GPT Store—will now be available for free users.

However, OpenAI has delineated boundaries to ensure that Plus subscribers continue to receive value from their subscriptions. Free users will face certain limitations: their ability to send messages (text and images) to the model will be restricted based on usage and demand. Once they reach this limit, they will revert to the GPT-3.5 experience.

In contrast, Plus subscribers enjoy five times the usage threshold, allowing for extended interaction with the model. Teams and Enterprise subscribers will have even higher limits, the details of which are yet to be disclosed.

Additionally, Plus subscribers can create and share custom chatbots on the GPT Store, while free users can only browse and use the shared GPTs. This creates a larger audience for Plus subscribers, enhancing their ability to engage with users and potentially monetize their creations.

Plus subscribers will also retain exclusive access to DALL-E 3, which generates images from text prompts, and receive early access to new features from OpenAI, including next-gen voice and video capabilities coming soon. The new macOS app is also being rolled out to Plus users.

Is ChatGPT Plus Still Worth It?

At $20/month, OpenAI offers a robust package ideal for power users who need regular access to the most advanced AI capabilities, including image generation and GPT creation. For those with less extensive needs—such as casual users or students—the enhanced features of the free ChatGPT, including web search and data analysis, will likely suffice for everyday tasks.