ChatGPT Plus costs $20 per month in the United States

ChatGPT Plus is a paid subscription tier for OpenAI's ChatGPT chatbot. The monthly cost is $20 USD, billed to your credit or debit card each month. You can pause or cancel your subscription at any time, and you will not be charged again after the current billing cycle ends.

The subscription is available to users in most countries, though the price may differ depending on your location and local currency. If you are outside the United States, check the pricing shown in your ChatGPT account settings to see the exact amount in your currency.

OpenAI also offers a free version of ChatGPT with no subscription required. The free version has slower response times during peak hours and does not include access to the latest model features, but it covers basic chatbot use.

Key Takeaways

  • ChatGPT Plus costs $20 per month and renews automatically each month until you cancel.
  • The subscription gives you faster response times, priority access during busy periods, and access to GPT-4, OpenAI's most advanced model.
  • You can cancel anytime through your account settings, and your subscription will end at the end of the current billing period.
  • A free version of ChatGPT exists and requires no payment, though it has slower speeds and fewer features than the paid tier.

What ChatGPT Plus includes

When you pay for ChatGPT Plus, you gain access to GPT-4, OpenAI's most advanced language model. GPT-4 produces longer, more detailed responses and handles complex tasks like writing code, analyzing documents, and reasoning through multi-step problems more reliably than the free version.

Subscribers also receive faster response times. Your messages are processed more quickly, and you see answers appear on screen sooner. During peak usage hours, when many people are using ChatGPT at once, Plus subscribers get priority in the queue, so you experience fewer slowdowns.

ChatGPT Plus subscribers can also use Custom GPTs, which are specialized versions of ChatGPT built for specific tasks. You can create your own Custom GPT or use ones built by other users. This feature is not available to free users.

The subscription also includes access to file uploads and analysis. You can upload documents, spreadsheets, images, and other files for ChatGPT to read and analyze. Free users have limited file capabilities.

How to start a ChatGPT Plus subscription

To subscribe, log into your ChatGPT account at chat.openai.com. On the left sidebar, look for the "Upgrade to Plus" button or link. Click it, and you will be taken to a payment page.

Enter your credit or debit card details. OpenAI accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. You will also enter your billing address. After you confirm the payment, your subscription becomes active when ready, and you can start using GPT-4 and other Plus features right away.

Your subscription will renew automatically on the same date each month. For example, if you subscribe on March 15, you will be charged again on April 15, May 15, and so on.

How to cancel your subscription

To stop paying for ChatGPT Plus, log into your account and go to the settings menu. Look for "Billing" or "Subscription" in the settings. You will see your current subscription status and a button to manage or cancel your subscription.

Click the cancel button. OpenAI will ask you to confirm that you want to cancel. Once you confirm, your subscription ends at the end of your current billing cycle. You will not be charged again, but you can still use ChatGPT Plus until that date arrives.

If you cancel on March 20 and your billing date is March 15, you will have access to Plus features until April 15. After that date, your account reverts to the free version.

Comparing Plus to the free version

The free version of ChatGPT uses GPT-3.5, an older model that is faster but less capable than GPT-4. It handles straightforward questions and straightforward writing tasks well, but struggles with complex reasoning, detailed analysis, and specialized knowledge.

Free users also experience slower response times, especially during busy hours. If many people are using ChatGPT at once, free users may see significant delays or temporary unavailability. Plus subscribers do not face these restrictions.

Free users have limited file upload capabilities and cannot create or use Custom GPTs. If you only need ChatGPT for casual questions and straightforward tasks, the free version may be sufficient. If you use ChatGPT regularly for work, writing, coding, or analysis, Plus is worth considering.

What happens if you do not renew

If your subscription lapses or you cancel it, you lose access to GPT-4 and all Plus features. Your account does not disappear — you can still log in and use the free version of ChatGPT with GPT-3.5.

Your chat history remains in your account. All conversations you had before your subscription ended are still there and you can read them, but you cannot use Plus features on new conversations.

You can resubscribe at any time by going to the upgrade page again and entering your payment information. There is no penalty for canceling and resubscribing later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a refund if I cancel mid-month?

OpenAI does not offer refunds for partial months. If you cancel on March 20 and your billing date is March 15, you have already paid for the full month and will not receive a refund. However, you can use ChatGPT Plus until April 15, when your subscription ends.

Is there a yearly payment option instead of monthly?

OpenAI does not currently offer an annual payment plan for ChatGPT Plus. You can only pay month to month at $20 per month. Check your account settings to confirm whether a yearly option has become available in your region.

Will the price change in the future?

OpenAI has changed ChatGPT Plus pricing before and may do so again. If the price changes, OpenAI will notify you before your next billing date. You can choose to accept the new price or cancel your subscription before the charge occurs.

Do students or teachers get a discount?

OpenAI does not offer student or educational discounts for ChatGPT Plus. The price is $20 per month for all users. Some schools and organizations may have separate agreements with OpenAI, so check with your institution if you think you might be covered.

Can I share one ChatGPT Plus account with family members?

Each ChatGPT Plus subscription is tied to one account. Sharing your login credentials with family members violates OpenAI's terms of service. Each person who wants Plus access needs their own subscription and account.