OpenAI has announced that its latest AI model, GPT-5, will be available to the public at no cost. While this has generated significant excitement, it’s important to understand the conditions that come with its free access.
While users can interact with GPT-5 without any charges, “free” services in the tech world often imply certain limitations or act as an entry point to paid offerings. In the case of GPT-5, this means that access is restricted. Free account users can send a maximum of 10 messages (prompts) to GPT-5 every 5 hours.
Once this limit is surpassed, users will not be entirely blocked but will be automatically switched to a less advanced model called GPT-5-mini. This transition results in a noticeable decline in response quality, reasoning capabilities, and the complexity of tasks the model can handle. Additionally, the “GPT-5 Thinking” feature, designed for tackling complex queries, is heavily restricted on free accounts, allowing just one message per day.
Another significant change involves the removal of the model selector, which previously allowed users to choose between models like GPT-3.5 and GPT-4o based on their specific needs. Now, both free and users will default to GPT-5 without the option to select older models. This can be a disadvantage for tasks where older models may perform more efficiently or quickly.
Moreover, it’s essential to recognize the implications of using a free service. Often, when products are offered at no cost, user data may be utilized for the company’s benefit, in this case, to further refine and develop OpenAI’s AI models. Therefore, users should avoid entering any sensitive, private, or confidential information when using the free version of ChatGPT.
In summary, while OpenAI’s free access to GPT-5 allows users to engage with advanced technology, it is crucial to remain informed about the limitations and conditions associated with this service. Understanding these aspects can help users navigate the platform more effectively and safely.