ChatGPT

What it does

ChatGPT, developed by OpenAI, is the world’s most widely used AI assistant. Since its November 2022 launch, it has become the reference point for the AI industry. Available via web, mobile apps, desktop apps, and API.

In 2026, OpenAI positioned ChatGPT around the GPT-5.x family. As of May 2026, GPT-5.5 (released April 24, 2026) is the flagship for highest-quality work, GPT-5.4 remains the cost-balanced alternative, and GPT-5.2-Codex powers dedicated coding workflows. The GPT-4o generation has given way to faster, smarter models.

ChatGPT’s strengths: a huge ecosystem (thousands of custom GPTs), native multimodal capabilities (text + voice + image + file), long-term memory, and the smoothest mobile experience in the industry.

Models

Pricing

• Free — GPT-5.4 Nano / Mini access, 10 messages / 5 hours, ads in US
• Go ($8/mo) — 10× more messages, file uploads, image creation
• Plus ($20/mo) — GPT-5.5 Thinking, custom GPTs, memory, voice
• Pro $100/mo — GPT-5.4 Pro, Deep Research 50 sessions, 5× Plus quota (launched April 9, 2026)
• Pro $200/mo — GPT-5.4 Pro + o1 Pro, 20× Plus quota, priority access
• Business / Enterprise ($25+/user/mo) — admin, SSO, no training on data

Capabilities

• Text, voice, image, and file inputs
• Native image generation (DALL·E)
• Real-time voice conversation
• Long-term memory across sessions
• Custom GPTs — packaged assistants
• Web browsing and live search
• Code Interpreter (Python sandbox)
• Operator (browser-based agent)

Strengths

• Smoothest interface and mobile apps
• Largest ecosystem — thousands of custom GPTs
• Native multimodal: voice, image gen, file analysis in one tool
• Memory creates a personalized long-term assistant
• Free tier is useful for casual users

Weaknesses

• Persistent hallucinations — confidently invents facts and citations
• Outperformed by Claude on coding, Gemini on Google integration
• Plus tier rate limits feel tight when burning reasoning tokens
• Formulaic responses in personal or creative contexts
• Free tier in US shows ads (since Feb 2026)

Ecosystem

ChatGPT’s biggest strength is the GPT Store — thousands of user-built custom GPTs. Plus subscribers can build their own. The ecosystem dwarfs every competitor in pure assistant variety.