Should You Pay for ChatGPT Plus?
Should You Pay for ChatGPT Plus?
After gaining over 100 million users in record time, OpenAI has decided to offer a paid option for ChatGPT. Most users would have seen this coming a mile away.
The tool is popular, does an awesome job and lives up to the hype, most of the time.
The creators are definitely going to monetize it.
Whenever something is free and good, you can bet the masses will rush to use it. Since resources are limited, in order to cope with the high demand, ChatGPT imposes limits on ‘free users’.
If you make too many requests within an hour, ChatGPT will not answer your prompt and ask you to return in an hour. This is to keep things fair and allow others to use the tool too.
However, as equitable as this may seem, when you’re in a rush and need to get a project done with ChatGPT’s assistance, waiting for an hour is just not going to cut it.
During times like these, you need ChatGPT Plus…
No restrictions
Once you’ve forked out $20 for the monthly subscription, you’ll be able to make unlimited requests/prompts on this marvelous AI tool. All limits will be removed and you can use it without any delays.
This is the main reason why most users pay for ChatGPT Plus.
If you’re using ChatGPT at least 3 times a week, it’ll make sense to pay for the Plus version.
For example, if you’re a freelance writer who uses this tool to generate quick research for your writing, you’ll know what an invaluable time-saver it is. The $20 you spend will earn you hundreds or even thousands over the course of a month.
In that case, ChatGPT is a business cost that makes sense.
But if you’re not creating content frequently, paying monthly for a tool you don’t really use will be just an added cost in your business which yields no reward.
This is the most important factor to bear in mind when signing up for ChatGPT Plus.
Either you or someone you hire should be using it frequently enough to justify paying for it.
While $20 a month won’t break the bank, there’s no point in paying for something you barely use.
The Other Extra Features
Faster results… really?
OpenAI mentions that using ChatGPT Plus will be faster. You supposedly get ‘priority response’ and faster answers.
This is debatable because the tool roughly takes the same time to answer questions or prompts whether it’s the free or Plus version. A difference in a few seconds is almost negligible here.
Better answers
You’re also told that ChatGPT Plus will give you better answers because it has access to a wider range of data and language models. Well, no one really knows what that means – and we’ll have to take OpenAI’s word for it.
But generally, the free version gives you enough to work with. You could try paying for the Plus version for a month and see if the results you get are more in-depth.
That’s probably the only way to know for sure… and even then, it all comes down to your personal preferences.
Customer support
Once you pay for ChatGPT, you’re officially a customer and if you have any issues, you’ll receive priority support. So that’s a plus point here… pun fully intended.
More security and privacy
Once again, a claim that we can’t substantiate. You may wish to do your own research to discover how paying for this tool makes using it more secure or private.
But frankly, this is not a major selling point.
After all, ChatGPT is not telling you state secrets nor are you entering private details in the prompts (hopefully).
Expanded language capabilities
Sounds good… but how many languages other than English are you using it for?
If you’re translating your content into different languages, the paid version might be more helpful. But once again, you’ll have to test out the free version against the paid plan to see if there’s any improvement in the results you get.
Integrations and upcoming features
Since ChatGPT is relatively new on the ‘market’ it doesn’t have a lot of integrations yet. OpenAI mentions that those on the subscription plan will have “priority access to new features and improvements.”
That may sound good to some people who wish to be on the cutting edge of things… while others may not wish to pay monthly for features that are yet to come.
So, what should you do?
Whether you pay for ChatGPT Plus or not will mostly depend on your content creation needs. If you keep being restricted by the tool because you’re on the free ‘plan’, it may be a relief to just pay the 20 bucks and use it without hassle.
You can cancel your subscription anytime you want because you’re not locked in for a year or any such contract.
On a final note, as awesome as ChatGPT seems, it’s not the be-all and end-all of content creation. It’s a tool and nothing more than that. If you’re using it for research or other purposes, you may wish to pay for a month.
Then bulk all your tasks and get them done before the subscription ends… and cancel it. You’ll have enough to work with for a while instead of paying for another month.
$20 isn’t that much, but the devil is in the details – and if you’re not prudent with your business costs, over time, when you add your monthly costs up, you’ll be shocked at how much money you’ve frittered away on tools which you barely use.
Decide wisely.
Recent Comments
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Hi Phil! This is such a hot topic. I want to weigh in. I’ve checked it out quite a few times and read all about what you’ve written above. Just yesterday.
I feel like I’m alone on an island 🏝️ or at least somewhat… because I’m just not that impressed by it! I know there are impressive applications for its use but for content creation ehh! It’s ok but with all this hoopla and limits that put in its usage etc… I just don’t get it.
But then again I believe that the general public just became aware of AI and see ChatGPT as THE one and only option and/or THE best option. I just don’t feel that way.
I’ve tried out a few other GREAT AI options! Some free, some very pricey and some more reasonable. Pros and cons with each and of course it’s a personal decision but I’ve been using the one I chose and love it!
And it’s reliable and stable and has so many relevant content creation specific options they are endless. Zero limits! 😎
I also want to note that I don’t solely rely on any results created. I don’t copy and paste any results without first editing them with my own research and words.
I embrace and love AI responsibly!
So should you! Research other options I don’t know why no one else talks about that.
Do it! Try it! Make a website! Make posts! You won’t know your capabilities unless you get involved and use AI.
That’s all!
Holly
What a great post, Holly. Thank you so much for posting it.
I'd love to build a website totally using AI (as Diane is doing) but have to remain focused on the training courses I'm building if I'm going to launch in my planned time frame.
What are some other AI tools that you'd recommend I research?
It was about a year ago when I signed up and tried 3 or 4. But I would say try Jasper, Copy.AI, Copysmith & Wordhero.
For me I chose Wordhero but also like Jasper.
If you search “AI content generators” there are 30-50 options. And they each have different capabilities.
Pick a few and try them.
A very well written and informative piece as always Phil!
If the tool is used correctly and can benefit us with our business needs, I see absolutely nothing wrong with upgrading and paying for the plus version!
Of course they were going to do this, they have a business to run as well after all my friend!
Yes, I do wonder at the business acumen of those that think that any product or service should be free forever.
So far the limited use for myself is more than adequate. one time I hit that hour point, but I was playing with it, and didn't really matter. If I had more time and did this full-time, then for sure $20 a month is a bargain.
This is a good post and good information, and it sounds pretty objective. I don't know that I would be interested in ChatGP, but it sounds like it has its strong points.
Still, I appreciate your straight forward discussion and objective facts. People can make up their own mind beyond that.
I think I'll stick with the site content page here and a blank document to start with, and use my personal experience and my own personal research. I'll give credit where it is due as I research.
I'd rather be too busy than wondering what to do next.
At the moment, I'm creating a ChatGPT training course to give away to prospective students during the launch of my main course.
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Really good post Phil! I think at least now (august 2023) it comes down to three things:
- not unlimited but up to 50 requests every 3 hours
- access to the web
- integrate up to three plugins with each request. There are hundreds now I think. I regularly use plugins that can scrape web or pdf content, tune your prompt and do SEO on the response
I upgraded and thought it was worthwhile.