Independent AI buying guide

No paid rankings

Last checked 26 Oct 2026

Which AIshould I buy?

Is it worth it?

Is ChatGPT Pro worth it?

ChatGPT Pro costs $100/mo. We hold it up against ChatGPT's free plan, every other free plan and every cheaper subscription, on independent test scores.

The verdict

ChatGPT Pro · $100/mo

Only if you need it

Claude Pro costs less ($20/mo) and scores higher than ChatGPT Pro overall. Pay for ChatGPT Pro only if you need something only it offers, like higher limits.

Cheaper, nearly as good for overall

  • Claude Pro: $20/mo, scores 97/100 (scores higher than ChatGPT Pro)
  • ChatGPT Plus: $20/mo, scores 92/100 (scores the same as ChatGPT Pro)

Right as of 26 Oct 2026. New models and price changes come out often, and we re-check every week. Check back before you buy or renew.

What you get for the money

ChatGPT Pro against ChatGPT's free plan and the best subscription per topic, scored out of 100.

TopicChatGPT ProChatGPT freeBest subscription
Overall92GPT-6 Astra7298Gemini Google AI Pro
Coding94GPT-6 Astra6899GitHub Copilot Pro
Writing87GPT-5.6 Sol69100Claude Pro
Research & search98GPT-6 Astra6698ChatGPT Plus
Maths & hard problems98GPT-6.1 Sol8298ChatGPT Plus
Studying94GPT-6.1 Sol78100Gemini Google AI Pro
Business & office94GPT-5.6 Sol80100Gemini Google AI Pro

The plan up close

Our opinion first, then the sourced facts: price, AI models and what's included.

ChatGPT Pro

ChatGPT Pro

By OpenAI · $100/mo

Source: OpenAI · verified 26 Oct 2026

Our take (opinion, reviewed 7 Oct 2026)

The all-rounder most people already know. Good at almost everything, rarely the very best at one thing.

Good for

  • People who want one AI for a bit of everything
  • Beginners who want the most familiar option

Not for

  • People who only need coding help inside their editor

AI models included

  • GPT-5.6 LunaSource: OpenAI · verified 26 Oct 2026
  • GPT-5.6 SolSource: OpenAI · verified 26 Oct 2026
  • GPT-5.6 TerraSource: OpenAI · verified 26 Oct 2026
  • GPT-6.1 SolSource: OpenAI · verified 26 Oct 2026
  • GPT-6 AstraSource: OpenAI · verified 26 Oct 2026
  • GPT-6 LunaSource: OpenAI · verified 26 Oct 2026
  • GPT-6 SolSource: OpenAI · verified 26 Oct 2026

What you get with Pro

  • Choose from three usage tiersSource: OpenAI · verified 26 Oct 2026
  • Dot, an always-on agentSource: OpenAI · verified 26 Oct 2026
  • Unlimited and faster image creationSource: OpenAI · verified 26 Oct 2026
  • Pro reasoning powered by GPT-6 AstraSource: OpenAI · verified 26 Oct 2026
  • Maximum deep researchSource: OpenAI · verified 26 Oct 2026

Strengths

  • The free version is available to everyoneSource: OpenAI · verified 26 Oct 2026
  • Go costs $8 per month in the USSource: OpenAI · verified 26 Oct 2026
  • Pro 500 has the highest included usage of the Pro plansSource: OpenAI · verified 26 Oct 2026
  • Works on web, iOS and AndroidSource: OpenAI · verified 26 Oct 2026
  • Ad-free on Plus and ProSource: OpenAI · verified 26 Oct 2026
  • Data is encrypted in transit and at restSource: OpenAI · verified 26 Oct 2026

Limitations

  • Go plan may show adsSource: OpenAI · verified 26 Oct 2026
  • Plus cannot be paid annually or for several months in advanceSource: OpenAI · verified 26 Oct 2026
  • Plus has message caps, especially during busy timesSource: OpenAI · verified 26 Oct 2026
  • Free and Go plans may show ads; testing is plannedSource: OpenAI · verified 26 Oct 2026
  • Chats may be used for training unless you opt outSource: OpenAI · verified 26 Oct 2026

All ChatGPT plans and prices →
Official site: chatgpt.com ↗

The free plan

ChatGPT Free

By OpenAI · Free

Source: OpenAI · verified 26 Oct 2026

AI models included

  • GPT-5.6 Terra (limited use)Source: OpenAI · verified 26 Oct 2026
  • GPT-6 Luna (limited use)Source: OpenAI · verified 26 Oct 2026

What you get with Free

  • Limited messages and file uploadsSource: OpenAI · verified 26 Oct 2026
  • Limited image creationSource: OpenAI · verified 26 Oct 2026
  • Limited deep researchSource: OpenAI · verified 26 Oct 2026
  • Unlimited text chats with GPT-6, subject to abuse guardrailsSource: OpenAI · verified 26 Oct 2026
  • Limited memory and contextSource: OpenAI · verified 26 Oct 2026
  • Voice chats are limitedSource: OpenAI · verified 26 Oct 2026

Strengths

  • The free version is available to everyoneSource: OpenAI · verified 26 Oct 2026
  • Go costs $8 per month in the USSource: OpenAI · verified 26 Oct 2026
  • Pro 500 has the highest included usage of the Pro plansSource: OpenAI · verified 26 Oct 2026
  • Works on web, iOS and AndroidSource: OpenAI · verified 26 Oct 2026
  • Ad-free on Plus and ProSource: OpenAI · verified 26 Oct 2026
  • Data is encrypted in transit and at restSource: OpenAI · verified 26 Oct 2026

Limitations

  • Go plan may show adsSource: OpenAI · verified 26 Oct 2026
  • Plus cannot be paid annually or for several months in advanceSource: OpenAI · verified 26 Oct 2026
  • Plus has message caps, especially during busy timesSource: OpenAI · verified 26 Oct 2026
  • Free and Go plans may show ads; testing is plannedSource: OpenAI · verified 26 Oct 2026
  • Chats may be used for training unless you opt outSource: OpenAI · verified 26 Oct 2026

All ChatGPT plans and prices →
Official site: chatgpt.com ↗

Questions people ask

Is ChatGPT Pro worth it?
Only if you need it. Claude Pro costs less ($20/mo) and scores higher than ChatGPT Pro overall. Pay for ChatGPT Pro only if you need something only it offers, like higher limits.
How much does ChatGPT Pro cost?
$100/mo, according to OpenAI: About ChatGPT Pro tiers.
Is the free version of ChatGPT enough?
ChatGPT's free plan scores 77% of ChatGPT Pro overall. We call a free plan "enough" from 92%.

How we decide: if a free plan scores at least 92% of ChatGPT Pro in the same independent tests, we call the free plan enough, the same rule as everywhere on this site. Read how we rank.