ChatGPT is an AI chat service that is gaining popularity around the world, and its users are rapidly increasing because it allows users to interact with each other as naturally as if they were having a conversation with a person.
This article describes the features of the free and paid versions of ChatGPT, comparing them in nine categories. We also list the advantages of choosing the paid version, so please refer to the article and make the right choice for yourself.
What is ChatGPT?
ChatGPT is an AI chatbot developed by Open AI, an artificial intelligence research institute in the U.S. It has attracted worldwide attention with the number of users surpassing 100 million in about two months since its release in November 2022.
ChatGPT is characterized by its ability to learn from vast amounts of text data and has natural language processing capabilities, just like a human. It responds to the user’s questions in a conversational style, just as if the user were having a conversation with an actual human being. The disadvantage, however, is that the answers may contain mistakes or inappropriate things.
ChatGPT is available in free and paid versions, and the paid version includes the latest language model, GPT-4. GPT-4 is much more powerful than the GPT-3.5 in the free version, and this gives users access to various features not available in the free version.
9 Differences between Free and Paid version
There are notable differences in response time and availability between ChatGPT’s free and paid versions, stemming from the performance capabilities of the integrated language model. Below are nine specific areas where these differences manifest:
1) Price:
Upon initial registration with ChatGPT, users are automatically enrolled in the free version, which incurs no charges regardless of usage frequency. The paid version, ChatGPT Plus, operates on a subscription basis and costs $20 per month (as of July 2023).
2) Character Limit:
ChatGPT imposes a character limit on the amount of text generated at one time. The free version has a cap of 2,048 characters, while the paid version doubles this to 4,096 characters. This increase allows for longer queries and makes tasks like translation or summarization more manageable, reducing the need for multiple inputs. Additionally, the paid version often provides more comprehensive answers.
3) Request Limit:
To prevent system overload, ChatGPT sets a cap on the number of available requests. The free version allows up to 60 requests per minute or 4,000 per day. Exceeding this limit results in an error message and a temporary usage block for about an hour. Conversely, the paid version dramatically increases this limit to 600 requests per minute and 100,000 per day, significantly reducing error frequency and ensuring smoother operation during heavy usage.
4) Response Speed:
Interestingly, the free version offers faster response speeds than the paid version, as the latter involves more complex processing. The GPT-4 model in the paid version not only quickens response times but also handles larger text volumes and more intricate tasks. Its image processing capability also enhances performance. The paid version is recommended for high-accuracy responses, while the free version suits rapid-fire questioning.
5) Stable Connection:
The paid version of ChatGPT ensures a more stable connection than the free version, which often struggles during peak access times and may display error messages. Paid users enjoy priority access even during high-traffic periods, facilitating uninterrupted work. This reliability makes the paid version more suitable for professional use.
6) Availability of Plug-ins:
Plug-ins, which extend ChatGPT’s functionality, are exclusive to the paid version. They enhance versatility and convenience, enabling actions like website summarization or image generation prompt creation. As of July 2023, around 600 plug-ins have been developed, with more anticipated.
7) Image Generation Capability:
Unlike the free version, the paid version supports both input and generation of images. Adding images to queries allows for more accurate responses, as the system better grasps user intentions. This feature is highly versatile, benefiting tasks from daily recipe searches to professional applications.
8) Support System:
While basic support is available in the free version, the paid version offers enhanced support services including:
- Custom Engagement: Direct contact with ChatGPT’s customer service for tailored support.
- Priority Feedback: User suggestions, including improvements and feature requests, are prioritized.
- Error Resolution: Expedited and minimal-disruption error handling.
- Resource Provision: Access to in-depth information and assistance.
This comprehensive support is invaluable for heavy users reliant on ChatGPT for work.
9) Early Access to New Features:
Paid users get early access to upcoming features. For instance, the “plug-ins” feature, introduced in May 2023, and the Web Browsing feature, which enables answers based on the latest web information, are exclusive to the paid version. This access ensures that responses incorporate the most current data, a capability not available in the free version.
For users keen on leveraging these advanced features, the paid version is undeniably more appealing.
Advantages of Using ChatGPT Plus (Paid Version)
Having compared ChatGPT’s free and paid versions, let’s delve deeper into the benefits of the paid version, ChatGPT Plus.
Advanced GPT-4 Natural Language Processing
ChatGPT Plus leverages the highly advanced “GPT-4” for natural language processing, promising significantly more accurate responses than the GPT-3.5 model used in the free version. GPT-4 boasts a vast range of 500 billion to 100 trillion parameters, a substantial increase from the 175 billion parameters of GPT-3.5.
This expansion enhances the paid version’s capability to deliver detailed and clear information. While the free version may occasionally repeat explanations or appear abstract, the paid version offers more precise and coherent responses, complemented by improved safety measures through algorithm enhancements.
Web Browsing and Other Cutting-Edge Features
ChatGPT Plus includes a web browsing function, enabling AI to search the internet for information and present current, relevant results in response to user queries. This is a notable upgrade from the free version, which can only provide information as of September 2021.
Additionally, ChatGPT Plus users will have early access to new features as they are released. For professionals using ChatGPT in their work, this access to innovative and useful features can significantly enhance efficiency and reduce workload. In this regard, opting for the paid version is advantageous, offering both up-to-date information and future feature benefits.
How to Register for ChatGPT Plus (Paid Version)
If you haven’t already registered an account with ChatGPT, please do so as the first step.
Once your account is set up, log in to ChatGPT and click the “upgrade to Plus” button located on the lower left. A pop-up window will appear with details about both the free and paid versions. Here, select “upgrade plan.”
Next, ensure the email address listed is yours, and then enter your credit card information and phone number. After checking the necessary boxes, click the green “Upgrade plan” button. Your upgrade is complete once “Payment Complete” is displayed.
To start using the service, select “continue,” return to the original screen, and then choose “GPT-4” from the “Model” settings.
Choosing Between ChatGPT’s Free and Paid Versions
The paid version of ChatGPT grants access to new features not available in the free version and generally delivers more accurate responses. However, if your usage of ChatGPT is sporadic in daily life, the free version might suffice. If your needs include summarizing large volumes of data or obtaining images for work, consider using the paid version for that specific period.
It’s important to weigh the benefits of the paid version against your intended usage. Since cancellation is straightforward, you might consider trying the paid version for a month to see if it fits your needs.
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