Is ChatGPT Plus worth your $20? Here's how it compares to Free and Pro plans

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ZDNET's key takeaways

• Each ChatGPT plan offers different benefits for different users.
• Paid tiers get early access and fewer usage limits.
• You may not need to pay, depending on how often you use ChatGPT.

It's been a few years since ChatGPT burst onto the scene, and over that time, the AI chatbot has continuously updated with new models, features, products, and limitations. While there's a lot you can do with the free tier, which does provide access to the latest and most powerful GPT-5 model, some features and perks are reserved for paid plans like ChatGPT Plus.

OpenAI introduced Plus to manage demand and guarantee access during busy periods (no more "at capacity" errors!). Plus also unlocks early access to new features and models, making the $20 plan a no-brainer for power users ...