When ChatGPT was first unveiled in November 2022, it was free for all to use. However, its quick surge in popularity caused extended wait times for users and blackout periods. As a result, OpenAI added its subscription plan to help users avoid the wait and provide access to other convenient perks.
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ChatGPT’s subscription plan is called ChatGPT Plus, and it costs $20/month. The paid subscription model guarantees users general access even during peak times when the free version is at capacity and offers faster response times.
Plan subscribers also get priority access to new, unreleased features and improvements, including OpenAI’s latest and greatest updates, such as GPT-4, OpenAI’s most capable model, ChatGPT plugins, the ability to create custom chatbots, DALL-E 3’s image generation, access to the internet, Advanced Data Analysis and more.
All of these features combined make ChatGPT Plus a must for individuals who rely on ChatGPT for their business or daily workflow since it guarantees uninterrupted access to the most advanced and reliable models.
I’ve tried Plus and can tell you that if you’re looking for accurate answers to your questions, this subscription service is much better than the free version, GPT-3.5.
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GPT-4 can still make blunders, often referred to as “hallucinations,” since, ultimately, it is still a generative AI model. However, OpenAI describes GPT-4 as “10 times more advanced than its predecessor, GPT-3.5.”
How to subscribe to ChatGPT Plus
If you are looking to expand your ChatGPT use and experience all the chatbot has to offer, here’s how you can subscribe to ChatGPT Plus.
Visit ChatGPT’s login page. Once you are there, you can either log on to your free account or create a new one. To create a new account, you can either use your email, Google account, or Microsoft account.
If you haven’t created an account, click on Sign up. Otherwise, log in with your OpenAI credentials.
Screenshot: Maria Diaz/ZDNET
Once you have logged in to your account, you will be brought to the chatbot’s main page, where you would typically start chatting away.
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Instead, turn your attention to the right-hand bar and locate where it says “Upgrade to Plus.” Once you find the button, click on it, and it will take you to the next step.
After you click on the “Upgrade to Plus” button, a popup will appear, double-checking whether you wish to continue.
If you are still ready to take the plunge after seeing the difference between the free and Plus plans’ prices and features, click on the green “Upgrade to Plus” button.
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The option next to it, ChatGPT Team, is a self-serve plan available for teams of two or more users with the same perks as ChatGPT Plus and additional features that make it a better fit for collaborative workspace environments, including an admin console for workspace management and team data excluded from training by default.
After confirming, you will be sent to a checkout page to compete your purchase. This page requires all the typical information of a normal online purchase, including your email, payment information, and billing address.
FAQs
Can I still use ChatGPT for free?
Yes, the free version is still available to the public. With the free plan, you still get full access to the chatbot. The disadvantages of the free plan are that you won’t be able to access the bot during periods of high demand and won’t have access to the latest updates, such as GPT-4.
How much is ChatGPT Plus membership?
The ChatGPT Plus membership is currently priced at $20/month. Although this might seem steep, it is comparable to similar subscriptions such as Copilot Pro, which is also $20/month.
Is there a waitlist for ChatGPT Plus?
After OpenAI unveiled new features for ChatGPT Plus on DevDay, there was a surge in subscribers, which triggered a pause in ChatGPT Plus signups. However, OpenAI reopened sign-ups weeks after, and now you can proceed as usual.
What are the advantages of a ChatGPT Plus membership?
The biggest perks of a ChatGPT Plus membership include priority access to the latest upgrades, such as GPT-4, ChatGPT plugins, the ability to create custom chatbots, use of DALL-E 3’s image generation, access to the internet, bypassing wait times, and quicker response rates.
Is ChatGPT Plus worth it?
The answer to this question depends on your own personal use case. However, ZDNET experts have tested the tool and found the subscription fee is worth it because ChatGPT is smarter, more accurate, and more reliable.