Is ChatGPT-4o Really Free? Everything You Need To Know
Open AI has recently unveiled its latest flagship GPT model, known as GPT-4o, which surpasses the previous GPT-4 Turbo in performance and is more cost-effective. The company has made this new model available to both free and paid users. But is ChatGPT-4o truly free, and what are the restrictions associated with it? Let's dive into the details.
Introduction to ChatGPT-4o
ChatGPT-4o, also referred to as ChatGPT-4 Omni, stands out for its improved speed and accuracy in providing responses to various queries while consuming fewer tokens. While ChatGPT-4o does offer a free version, it does come with certain constraints compared to the paid membership.
Limitations of ChatGPT-4o Free Version
As a free user of ChatGPT-4o, you may encounter limitations such as the number of queries allowed, the maximum word count in a reply, and the duration of access to GPTs. These limitations are put in place to differentiate the free plan from the paid subscriptions.
I began using ChatGPT-4o as a free user shortly after its initial announcement and have been experimenting with its capabilities. When testing the model with short queries that require concise responses, I did not encounter any restrictions. However, for more extensive inquiries, like requesting detailed historical explanations, a lengthy reply did surpass the free limit.
Similarly, my colleague conducted various assessments, including coding tasks, and even created a retro snake game using ChatGPT-4o's free version. The model generated a 120-line code promptly without hitting the usage threshold.
Comparison of Free and Paid Plans
In terms of usage frequency, free users are subject to specific restrictions, allowing a limited number of interactions with GPT-4o every three hours. Upon reaching this threshold, the system automatically shifts to the GPT-3.5 model until the reset window.
On the other hand, Plus members have a higher quota, permitting up to 80 messages every three hours within GPT-4o. This difference in allowance highlights the advantages of upgrading to a paid subscription for more intensive usage.
It's important to note that the usage limits are not solely based on the number of messages but also on the length of the responses. Lengthy replies, such as a 2000-word answer, could expedite reaching the usage cap within GPT-4o.
Additional Features for Free Users
Despite the limitations, the free version of GPT-4o offers valuable features to enhance user experience. Free users now have access to GPTs as long as they stay within the usage bounds of GPT-4o. Additionally, free users receive the benefits of the latest model's functionalities.
One notable distinction between the free and paid plans is that free users do not have the option to manually switch between GPT-4o, GPT-4, or GPT-3.5. This selection is determined within the ChatGPT interface based on the model's availability.
For free users looking to identify the model in use, the interface displays an AI assistant icon for GPT-4o and a flash icon for GPT-3.5 in the response. While users can change the GPT model for the current interaction, the subsequent prompts will default to GPT-4o if the limit has not been exceeded.
Whether opting for the free or paid plan, understanding the utilization constraints and benefits of GPT-4o is essential for optimizing your experience with the AI model.
