OpenAI CEO Sam Altman announced today (January 23) that the free tier of ChatGPT will now use the o3-mini model, marking a significant shift in how the popular AI chatbot serves its user base. In the same tweet announcing the change, Altman revealed that paid subscribers to ChatGPT Plus and Pro plans will enjoy “tons of o3-mini usage,” giving people an incentive to move to a paid account with the company.
The o3-mini model is part of OpenAI’s latest advancements in its generative AI technology. Although smaller in scale compared to the flagship GPT-4-turbo model, o3-mini promises faster response times, reduced computational requirements, and the ability to handle simpler queries with ease.
This move aims to improve the user experience for free-tier users while allocating premium resources, like GPT-4-turbo, for paid subscribers who rely on the platform for professional and intensive use cases.
A strategic allocation of AI resources
big news: the free tier of chatgpt is going to get o3-mini!(and the plus tier will get tons of o3-mini usage)January 23, 2025
This update comes shortly after ChatGPT went down on Thursday, January, 23, at a time when OpenAI is focusing on balancing resource demands. ChatGPT’s free tier has historically been powered by earlier versions of GPT models, but integrating o3-mini represents a strategic pivot toward efficiency. It’s designed to serve the needs of everyday users with lightweight tasks like casual queries, brainstorming, and conversational interaction.
In contrast, subscribers to ChatGPT Plus ($20/month) and Pro plans will continue to access GPT-4-turbo for robust and complex tasks, such as coding, in-depth research, and high-level problem-solving. Additionally, these users now have expanded access to o3-mini, giving them greater flexibility in choosing the right tool for their needs.
Altman’s tweet also hints at OpenAI's effort to ensure that paid subscribers feel the value of their investment. “Tons of o3-mini usage” for paid users suggests that OpenAI aims to give its premium customers a wider array of tools, empowering them to switch seamlessly between models for optimal productivity.
A continued push for accessibility
This announcement aligns with OpenAI's broader mission of democratizing AI. By introducing o3-mini to the free tier, OpenAI enables millions of users to benefit from cutting-edge AI capabilities, without the cost barrier. The company’s strategy strikes a balance between accessibility for free users and innovation-driven features for paying customers.
With ChatGPT usage surging across industries, from education to enterprise-level applications, OpenAI’s latest update ensures that its AI tools remain both scalable and user-friendly. As competition in the AI chatbot space intensifies, OpenAI’s approach to tiered access could further solidify its leadership in the market.
More from Tom's Guide
- Samsung Galaxy S25 AI features — here's everything that's new
- I used Gemini 2.0 to create an AI shopping assistant — it's surprisingly good at saving me time and money
- Perplexity AI submits bid to help save TikTok in the US — here's what we know
