Interviews and news

Are ChatGPT Plus worth it? ChatGPT Plus compares with the free version

Dec 22, 2023

OpenAI's ChatGPT saw over 1.5 billion users per month during the quarter that ended in 2023, according to Similarweb. Considering generative AI's continued frenzy and its growing acceptance, it's unsurprising that these web visits are being reported in Google Trends reports, which keep showing a steady increase of "ChatGPT Plus" search terms. However, despite this constant increase, "ChatGPT free" maintains its top position on Google searches. This raises the question of ChatGPT Plus vs free: Is Plus really worth the cost?

In this exploration of ChatGPT Plus vs ChatGPT free, we'll dive in to the details of the ChatGPT Plus plan and its free version, sharing their differences the cost of Plus as well as examining the use-cases of both.

Skip ahead here:

Key characteristics of ChatGPT free

ChatGPT's free version ChatGPT is a wonderous and capable tool, suitable for professionals from nearly every field. However, when comparing ChatGPT free vs plus the paid version, it is lacking features, by a significant amount. The sole benefit that is included in ChatGPT's cost-free ChatGPT version is you get, in fact, free access ChatGPT 3.5

  GPT 3.5  

In the moment of this publication, ChatGPT 3.5 has access to information up to September 2021. For reference, that's the year when Netflix's Squid Game went viral and the container ship clogged in the Suez Canal, causing a 6-day pileup of trade.

Many things have happened since this free version of ChatGPT has been updated so it's definitely not the most reliable tool for creating news about the events taking place right today or in the last three years.

Yet, the powerful 3.5 model is better capable of handling the demands of the typical user. It is able to provide simple response, consistently outputs and more likely to be integrated with certain software.

Key features in ChatGPT Plus

Unlike the free version's short features list, ChatGPT Plus boasts a significant list of features.

3 ChatGPT Turbo

ChatGPT Plus is running what's known as "ChatGPT 4 Turbo." This model has access to data up to April 2023. According to OpenAI this model also has a speed that is faster than 3.5. Due to the advanced capabilities of the model, a lot of users report slower response times as opposed to. Also, consider the "Turbo" name with a grain of salt.

Builder of ChatGPT custom to your needs

ChatGPT Plus permits users to create task-focused, custom "GPTs." Imagine them as GPTs as small helpers within the larger ChatGPT interface. Custom-designed GPTs can be created for whatever task you program them to accomplish. Here's what the creation screen looks as follows:

In the OpenAI DevDay opening keynote, Jessica, a Solutions Architect at OpenAI, demonstrates how Zapier utilizes its Zapier Calendar GPT to help employees organize their calendars. In this scenario, it functions as an assistant communicating what's scheduled on your calendar, and also communicating with others on your behalf (with your permission and consent, of course).

Code interpreter

As the feature's title suggests, ChatGPT 4's code interpreter isn't just for coders--but it's the place we'll get started.

The code interpreter is what tech experts call a Python Sandbox. This means the AI model can interpret text and convert it into Python code, then play around with it, and then bring it back to you using new techniques.

Users can utilize this to comprehend, create new or modify the existing code, it can be employed for a variety of different tasks, such as making charts and graphs, analyzing data, converting PDFs and other formats, among others.

Internet access

The supercharging feature of ChatGPT 4 is its ability to connect to the internet using Microsoft's Bing web browser. Although ChatGPT 3.5 is stuck within the epidemic and the Plus model is able to access data that was made public this morning. When a user asked "What's happening in the world this morning?" on December 8th, it published headlines, blurbs and a hyperlink to the News articles below:

Each of these articles was initially published on the 8th December, with one published only 60 minutes prior to the call. Access to the internet allows GPT 4 to respond more reliable and precise than they have ever been.

DALL-E3 access

In case internet access weren't already a breakthrough, ChatGPT 4 also has access to DALL-E3. This enables the AI algorithm to produce images based on user input. When you asked it to "Create the image in a rectangle to be used in a blog article titled 'Is ChatGPT Plus Worth It? ChatGPT Plus vs Free this is what the post had to display.

While AI continues to struggle with problems such as human hands, and even in-image text, it's still able to create extraordinary images. And with DALL-E3's addition to GPT 4, users can gain access to AI-generated images faster than they ever could before.

Connectivity that is reliable

OpenAI is a limited resource that can only to accommodate a certain number of users. In the event that it's servers get crowded, non-Plus users may see a message that reads, "Our systems are a bit busy at the moment Take a moment to rest and try again soon ."

Plus members enjoy the benefit of not losing access to ChatGPT since they have priority access over non-Plus users. This is crucial if your workflow requires the tool and you can't afford to deal with random and unplanned delays.

Twice as many tokens

Effectively, this feature permits you to have longer and more detailed conversations, write longer text and give more complete replies.

Priority access to the latest capabilities

The last feature on this checklist is the priority access. Plus, subscribers gain access to beta features, which are things that don't yet "officially" been made available. For instance, OpenAI gave Plus users access to the beta code interpreter long before it became made widely accessible. Simply put, you're given the chance to experience cutting-edge features earlier than non-Plus users.

With a solid breakdown of both the free and additional features that are behind our heads, we can now focus on the cost and scenarios for use cases.

What's the price of ChatGPT Plus?

ChatGPT Plus costs subscribers only $ 20 per month.

In order to subscribe to the Plus plan, first create the OpenAI account. After that, you can select your profile, name and email address on the lower right-hand corner of the screen and click on "My Plan." There, you'll be able to subscribe to the Plus plan.

Use-Case scenarios

While $20 is incredibly affordable, it may not be the amount you need to pay. So, to better understand the difference between ChatGPT Plus vs free and free, we'll take a look at some of the uses for both plans.

Use-Cases of ChatGPT no cost

  1. Basic Coding Assistance - Even though GPT 3.5 isn't equipped with an interpreter to code but it's still an exceptional coding assistant. It's capable of writing corrections, writing, and making it easier to understand code.
  2. Casual writing assistance The GPT 3.5 is perfect for the everyday casual writer. It can help with things such as postings on social media and emails, blog ideas as well as editing.
  3. Creative brainstorming - The Free Plan can help in brainstorming ideas for creatives, such as writers and artists. Request feedback about creative concepts or characters and create a list traits or descriptors of subjects, or solicit GPT 3.5 to suggest new ideas.

Use-Cases to ChatGPT Plus

  1. Visual assistance - The chief executive of OpenAI, Sam Altman, claimed that ChatGPT 4's upload function could be used to support those who need assistance with designing visual assets. People like digital marketers and graphic designers could greatly profit from GPT's capability to receive and respond to various types of file uploads.
  2. Recruitment and HR support GPTs are great for specialized tasks like creating job descriptions from a list of data, writing emails, or preparing agendas for interviews. Professionals in HR and recruitment are able to use GPTs for maximum quality and efficiency in many aspects of their job.

So Is ChatGPT Plus worthwhile?

The decision to choose between the ChatGPT Plus and the free version ChatGPT and ChatGPT Plus ultimately depends on the importance of these sophisticated features are for your work. In the event that you've managed to get this far then you're probably to be one of those who can benefit of ChatGPT Plus. Users who rarely make use of ChatGPT or use it only for simple functions, like responding to emails or editing content, can probably get by with GPT 3.5. But if you find that your workflow would benefit from more thorough answers, real-time links to content, image generation, code support or custom GPTs for your specific needs, then ChatGPT Plus is certainly worth it.

At the low cost of $20 a month, the Plus plan is comparable with Netflix Premium and only a tiny bit more expensive than Amazon Prime, making it quite affordable given all it is able of. As OpenAI advances the machine-learning AI technology that powers ChatGPT, the tool continues to grow better and stronger.