“Is ChatGPT free?” Yes. Text chat has no message limit, and since 2026-10-08 the default model is GPT-6 Luna. Image generation, file uploads, voice, and deep research all work, each with its own allowance. The main limits: it reads less at once, you can’t use the flagship models, and in Taiwan the free plan has shown ads since September 2026.
For everyday questions, translation, and note taking, Free is enough. If you run out of allowance, pick Go; if you want stronger models or no ads, pick Plus.
Based on OpenAI’s pricing and help pages as of 2026-10-20. OpenAI changes these often, so the official pages have the current allowances.
What Can the Free Plan Do?
Text chat has no message limit (OpenAI has abuse protections in place). The model is GPT-6 Luna, per OpenAI’s release notes and pricing page.
Image generation is available, with an allowance, and it runs slower than on paid plans.
File uploads and data analysis are available, with an allowance. Audio file uploads are for paid plans only.
Voice chat uses a lightweight model, GPT-Live-1.1 Quip. The allowance is limited, and OpenAI lists no fixed number of hours. Voice with video is not supported.
Deep research is available, with an allowance.
Web search, projects, and study mode are all open.
Limits of the Free Plan
It reads less at once. OpenAI’s pricing page lists the total context window for GPT Instant: 27K on Free, 54K on both Go and Plus, and 128K on Pro. For a single input, that is about 12, 40, and 250 pages of text (OpenAI marks these as estimates). With a long PDF or a long chat, Free runs past what it can remember sooner.
Flagship models aren’t available. Luna is fine for everyday use, but it falls behind flagship models on complex reasoning and long-document analysis. Plus uses GPT-6 Sol by default; on Plus, GPT-6 Astra is available only in ChatGPT Work and Codex.
Ads have started in Taiwan. On 2026-09-23, OpenAI announced that ads are rolling out in Taiwan and other markets. They show only on Free and Go; Plus and Pro have no ads. Free users can switch to “ad-free mode”, but they get fewer messages and lose image generation and deep research.
You can’t create GPTs. No personal plan (Free, Go, Plus, or Pro) can create new GPTs. Existing custom GPTs are scheduled to retire on 2026-12-11. After that they can’t be opened, but old chat history stays.
How Do You Get Started?
- Visit chatgpt.com or download the mobile app.
- Sign up with an email address, or use Google / Apple sign-in.
- Start chatting.
You can also chat at chatgpt.com without logging in, but only one conversation at a time. Try a few questions you would usually Google, then upload a document and ask for the key points.
Free, Go, or Plus: Should You Pay?
If you mainly ask questions, translate, and write emails, Free is enough.
| Plan | Monthly price | How it differs from Free |
|---|---|---|
| Go | US$8 (about NT$270 in Taiwan) | Same model (GPT-6 Luna), higher image, file, and data analysis allowances, 54K context, scheduled tasks; may still show ads |
| Plus | US$20 (about NT$690 in Taiwan) | Adds stronger models such as GPT-6 Sol, 54K context, no ads |
| Pro | US$100 / 200 / 500 | 128K context; the US$100 and US$200 plans include GPT-6 Pro |
Taiwan prices come from third-party price trackers in October 2026; the checkout page has the final price. For choosing between Go and Plus: Is ChatGPT Plus Worth Subscribing To?
Penchan’s take
I’m on Pro now. I upgraded for the flagship model’s reasoning depth, a large image allowance, and advanced development tools. I tried Go for a month, found it neither here nor there, and moved to Plus. A GPT I built for Traditional Chinese proofreading saved me a lot of time polishing wording, but custom GPTs retire at the end of the year, so I need another way.
Free is the best trial there is: use it for a few weeks, and only when the allowance, the context, or the ads really get in your way, pick Go or Plus.
Further Reading
— Penchan