ChatGPT
AskZyro PickChatGPT is the strongest all-round AI assistant for users who want high-quality answers combined with practical tools, research and agentic workflows.
Best for
Individuals, students, professionals, developers, creators and businesses that want one adaptable AI assistant for a wide variety of tasks.
Skip it if
Users who require guaranteed factual accuracy, fully predictable usage limits or an AI system hosted entirely on their own infrastructure.
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Independently researched · Pricing checked 28 July 2026 · 13-minute read
The 30-second verdict
ChatGPT is one of the most complete and capable AI assistants available.
It goes considerably beyond basic question answering. ChatGPT can search the web, conduct detailed research, analyse files, create images, examine spreadsheets, write code, build documents and connect with supported third-party services.
Read our full verdict ↓Collapse ↑
OpenAI's latest GPT-5.6 models strengthen its performance across reasoning, professional work, coding, science, research, computer use and design. Different model and effort options allow users to balance response speed against the difficulty of the task.
The free version provides a useful introduction, while ChatGPT Plus offers the best balance for most frequent individual users. Pro is designed for people who regularly need the most advanced models, higher limits and demanding research or coding capabilities.
ChatGPT can still make factual errors, and the growing number of features, interfaces and subscription levels may feel complicated. However, its combination of intelligence, flexibility and practical tools makes it the benchmark against which other general-purpose AI assistants are compared.
4.9
Output quality
4.8
Ease of use
4.8
Value for money
Reviewed by AskZyro Editorial Team · 28 July 2026
What is ChatGPT?
ChatGPT is a conversational artificial intelligence assistant created by OpenAI. Users communicate with ChatGPT through natural language. It can answer questions, explain concepts, write and edit content, analyse information, solve problems, conduct research and help complete practical tasks. ChatGPT is powered by OpenAI's GPT family of models. The available model depends on the user's subscription, selected interface and current product availability. The service is multimodal, meaning it can work with more than text. ChatGPT can understand images and documents, analyse structured data, participate in voice conversations and generate or edit images. ChatGPT is available as a consumer application, a collaborative business workspace and a collection of developer products. A ChatGPT subscription is separate from usage of the OpenAI API. A user enters a question, instruction or file through the ChatGPT website or application. ChatGPT interprets the request, considers the conversation context and generates an appropriate response using an OpenAI model. Depending on the task, account and permissions, ChatGPT may also search the internet, read supporting sources, conduct multi-stage research, analyse uploaded documents, examine images and screenshots, run code in a secure analysis environment, analyse spreadsheets and datasets, generate or edit images, hold a spoken conversation, use connected applications, work with company knowledge, remember selected user preferences, create downloadable files, complete coding tasks through Codex, organise ongoing work inside Projects, perform scheduled or recurring tasks, build interactive tools or websites, and use specialised skills or custom GPTs. ChatGPT may select tools automatically or allow the user to request a particular capability. ChatGPT models include GPT-5.5 Instant for fast everyday conversations, GPT-5.6 Sol as the flagship model for complex professional work, GPT-5.6 Sol Pro for higher-capability tasks where quality matters more than speed, GPT-5.6 Terra for balanced performance at lower cost, and GPT-5.6 Luna as the fastest and most cost-efficient member of the GPT-5.6 family. Model availability depends on the selected ChatGPT product and subscription.
What you can do with ChatGPT
Ask questions
ChatGPT can answer general questions, explain unfamiliar subjects and simplify complex information.
Search the web
ChatGPT Search can retrieve recent or real-time information from the internet and provide links to supporting sources.
Conduct deep research
Deep Research investigates a question across multiple sources and creates a cited, structured report.
Write and edit content
ChatGPT can create articles, reports, emails, social media posts, advertisements, product descriptions, presentations, scripts, proposals, stories, guides and business documents. It can also rewrite, shorten, expand, proofread or change the tone of existing content.
Analyse files
Users can upload supported documents and ask ChatGPT to summarise content, extract information, compare documents, locate details, explain sections, create Q&As, transform formats and identify errors.
Analyse data
ChatGPT can run code in a secure environment to clean datasets, calculate statistics, find trends, identify anomalies, produce forecasts, create tables, generate charts and explain results.
Understand images
ChatGPT can examine photographs, screenshots, diagrams, charts and other uploaded images to identify details, interpret charts, extract text and explain visual information.
Generate and edit images
ChatGPT can create original images from written instructions and edit uploaded images by removing objects, changing backgrounds, adjusting colours, adding elements, transforming style or producing variations.
Write and debug code
ChatGPT can generate, explain, review and debug code in numerous programming languages for application development, websites, databases, APIs, testing, documentation, code reviews, performance improvements and security analysis.
Complete coding tasks with Codex
Codex is OpenAI's coding agent for working with software projects, inspecting repositories, editing files, running commands, testing changes and assisting with longer development tasks.
Key features
Natural conversations
ChatGPT understands everyday language and can maintain context across a conversation.
Advanced reasoning
Eligible reasoning models can work through complex problems that require planning, analysis and multiple stages.
Web search
ChatGPT can retrieve current online information and present source-linked answers.
Deep Research
Deep Research reads and synthesises multiple sources into a structured report.
File uploads
Users can upload PDFs, spreadsheets, presentations, text documents, images and other supported formats.
Data analysis
ChatGPT can run code to clean, analyse and visualise structured information.
Image understanding
ChatGPT can examine uploaded photographs, diagrams, screenshots and charts.
Image generation
Users can create and edit images through natural-language instructions.
Voice mode
ChatGPT supports spoken conversations across compatible web, desktop and mobile applications.
Voice with video
Eligible accounts can share video or a device screen while speaking with ChatGPT.
Memory
ChatGPT can remember selected preferences, goals and background information between conversations when memory is enabled.
Projects
Projects provide a dedicated space for related conversations, files and instructions.
Shared projects
Supported users can collaborate through projects containing shared context and resources.
Scheduled tasks
ChatGPT can perform supported tasks at a future time or on a recurring schedule.
Custom GPTs
Users can discover specialised GPTs. Eligible paid plans can also create and share custom GPTs.
ChatGPT Work
ChatGPT Work provides a more agentic environment for completing practical tasks across files, tools and applications.
Codex
Codex assists with coding, debugging, repository work and software-development workflows.
Apps and plugins
ChatGPT can work with interactive applications and connected services.
Skills
Skills provide reusable instructions and workflows for specialised tasks.
Canvas
Canvas is a collaborative workspace for editing writing or code alongside ChatGPT.
Study mode
Study mode helps learners understand a subject through guided questions and step-by-step explanations.
Interactive tables and charts
Eligible plans can produce interactive data visualisations for exploring information.
Built-in browser
Supported ChatGPT experiences include a browser for researching and interacting with websites.
Record mode
Eligible business users can record supported conversations or meetings and transform them into notes, summaries and actions.
Company knowledge
Business and Enterprise workspaces can connect ChatGPT with approved internal information.
Pricing
Checked 28 July 2026| Plan | Price | Best for | What you get |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0/mo | Limited GPT-5.5 Instant, messages, uploads, image generation, Deep Research, memory, Codex, ChatGPT Work, web search, voice mode, projects, study mode, custom GPT discovery, file and data analysis | Occasional questions, writing, research and experimentation |
| Go | $8/mo | More GPT-5.5 Instant, more messages, uploads and image creation, longer memory, larger context, ~10x Free limits | Lower-cost upgrade for everyday use |
| Plus | $20/mo | Advanced reasoning with GPT-5.6, expanded messages and uploads, more image generation, expanded Deep Research, memory and context, projects, scheduled tasks, custom GPT creation, expanded Codex and ChatGPT Work, early access, connected apps | Best balance for most frequent individual users |
| Pro | From $200/mo | 5x or 20x higher usage, GPT-5.6 Sol Pro, maximum Codex, unlimited image creation, maximum Deep Research, memory and context, expanded projects and scheduled tasks, research previews, priority access | Heavy professional users, researchers and developers |
| Business | $20/user/mo annual ($25/user/mo monthly) | ChatGPT and Codex, business workspace, advanced models, company knowledge, internal connectors, shared projects, team admin, centralised billing, analytics, SAML SSO, MFA, data excluded from training | Teams needing shared administration and business integrations |
| Enterprise | Custom | Everything for large-scale deployment, expanded context, enterprise admin, SCIM, Enterprise Key Management, role-based access, domain verification, data residency, no training on data, priority support, SLAs | Large organisations |
| Edu | Custom | Enhanced privacy, security and administrative controls for educational deployment | Universities and higher-education communities |
Free
$0/mo
Best for: Limited GPT-5.5 Instant, messages, uploads, image generation, Deep Research, memory, Codex, ChatGPT Work, web search, voice mode, projects, study mode, custom GPT discovery, file and data analysis
Includes: Occasional questions, writing, research and experimentation
Go
$8/mo
Best for: More GPT-5.5 Instant, more messages, uploads and image creation, longer memory, larger context, ~10x Free limits
Includes: Lower-cost upgrade for everyday use
Plus
$20/mo
Best for: Advanced reasoning with GPT-5.6, expanded messages and uploads, more image generation, expanded Deep Research, memory and context, projects, scheduled tasks, custom GPT creation, expanded Codex and ChatGPT Work, early access, connected apps
Includes: Best balance for most frequent individual users
Pro
From $200/mo
Best for: 5x or 20x higher usage, GPT-5.6 Sol Pro, maximum Codex, unlimited image creation, maximum Deep Research, memory and context, expanded projects and scheduled tasks, research previews, priority access
Includes: Heavy professional users, researchers and developers
Business
$20/user/mo annual ($25/user/mo monthly)
Best for: ChatGPT and Codex, business workspace, advanced models, company knowledge, internal connectors, shared projects, team admin, centralised billing, analytics, SAML SSO, MFA, data excluded from training
Includes: Teams needing shared administration and business integrations
Enterprise
Custom
Best for: Everything for large-scale deployment, expanded context, enterprise admin, SCIM, Enterprise Key Management, role-based access, domain verification, data residency, no training on data, priority support, SLAs
Includes: Large organisations
Edu
Custom
Best for: Enhanced privacy, security and administrative controls for educational deployment
Includes: Universities and higher-education communities
Strengths, limitations & watch-outs
What it does brilliantly
- Excellent overall answer quality
- Strong advanced reasoning
- Highly capable GPT-5.6 models
- Broad range of practical tools
- Real-time web search
- Detailed Deep Research reports
- Strong writing and editing
- Capable software development assistance
- Codex coding agent
- High-quality image generation
- Natural-language image editing
- File and document analysis
- Spreadsheet and data analysis
- Charts and visualisations
- Voice conversations
- Video and screen sharing
- Cross-conversation memory
- Ongoing Projects
- Scheduled tasks
- Custom GPT creation
- Supported third-party integrations
- Business knowledge connections
- Desktop and mobile availability
- Useful free plan
- Strong choice of individual and organisational plans
- Frequently updated capabilities
- Effective for both simple and complex tasks
Where it falls short
- Can produce incorrect or invented information
- Source citations do not guarantee accuracy
- Advanced models require a paid plan
- Pro is expensive for casual users
- Usage limits can change
- Limits are not always immediately obvious
- The number of tools and interfaces can feel complicated
- Some features vary by country or platform
- Certain capabilities remain experimental
- Connected applications require access to external data
- Consumer conversations may be used for model improvement unless the user opts out
- Long or complex tasks may take considerable time
- Different models can produce noticeably different results
- A ChatGPT subscription does not include OpenAI API usage
- It should not replace qualified medical, legal or financial professionals
What to know before paying
- ChatGPT Free is sufficient for occasional questions, short writing tasks and limited experimentation with research, files and images.
- ChatGPT Go provides a lower-cost upgrade for users who mainly want more everyday messages, uploads and image generation.
- ChatGPT Plus offers the strongest value for most frequent individual users. It includes advanced reasoning, expanded research, custom GPTs, scheduled tasks and greater access to OpenAI's coding and work tools.
- ChatGPT Pro is intended for people whose professional output depends heavily on the highest-quality models and maximum tool limits. Its price will be difficult to justify for occasional use.
- ChatGPT Business is the appropriate choice for teams that need shared administration, company integrations and business data excluded from training by default.
- Subscription features and limits should be checked immediately before purchase because OpenAI regularly changes available models and plan allowances.
- ChatGPT limits vary according to subscription level, selected model, reasoning effort, tool usage, Deep Research usage, image generation, file size, context length, Codex tasks, current system capacity, and safety and abuse protections.
- Some plans describe standard messaging or image generation as unlimited, but reasonable-use and abuse safeguards still apply.
- Context windows vary by plan and model. The full context window is not entirely available for a user's prompt — space is also required for system instructions, tools, memory, conversation history and response generation.
Privacy & data
OpenAI provides data controls for consumer ChatGPT accounts. Users can turn off the use of conversations for model improvement, delete individual chats, delete their account, export account data, manage saved memories, disable memory, use Temporary Chat, control connected applications and review shared links.
Temporary Chats do not appear in normal chat history, do not create memories, are not used to train OpenAI models, may be reviewed for abuse monitoring and are deleted from OpenAI's systems after 30 days.
When model training is disabled, ordinary conversations can remain in chat history but are not used to improve ChatGPT.
Business, Enterprise and Edu data is not used to train OpenAI's models by default.
OpenAI states that ChatGPT data is protected using TLS 1.2 encryption in transit, AES-256 encryption at rest, strict access controls, continuous security monitoring, multi-factor authentication and a vulnerability disclosure and bug-bounty programme.
Eligible business plans add features such as SAML single sign-on, SCIM, Enterprise Key Management, domain verification, role-based permissions, data-residency options, custom retention policies and administrative analytics.
Users should avoid submitting passwords, financial credentials, private medical records, confidential business information or other sensitive material unless the applicable account and data terms have been reviewed.
Commercial use
ChatGPT output can generally be used for business and commercial purposes under OpenAI's applicable terms.
Users remain responsible for verifying factual claims, checking intellectual-property risks, reviewing generated code, protecting confidential information, complying with advertising rules, respecting privacy rights, following industry-specific regulations, obtaining professional advice when necessary, disclosing AI involvement where required and confirming that generated content is suitable for publication.
OpenAI does not guarantee that every output is unique, accurate or eligible for copyright protection. AI-generated content may resemble existing material and may not qualify for copyright protection in every jurisdiction.
Screenshots & output examples
Alternatives to ChatGPT
| If you need… | Choose | Why |
|---|---|---|
| General-purpose AI work | Google Gemini | Google app integration and multimodal capabilities |
| Writing and long documents | Claude | Natural prose and careful analysis |
| Web research | Perplexity | Search-focused answers with citations |
| Microsoft 365 users | Microsoft Copilot | Microsoft product integration |
| Current online discussion | Grok | Integration with X |
| Reasoning and coding | DeepSeek | Accessible advanced models |
| European AI users | Le Chat | Mistral AI ecosystem |
If you need…
General-purpose AI work
Choose
Why
Google app integration and multimodal capabilities
If you need…
Writing and long documents
Choose
Claude
Why
Natural prose and careful analysis
If you need…
Web research
Choose
Perplexity
Why
Search-focused answers with citations
If you need…
Microsoft 365 users
Choose
Microsoft Copilot
Why
Microsoft product integration
If you need…
Current online discussion
Choose
Grok
Why
Integration with X
If you need…
Reasoning and coding
Choose
DeepSeek
Why
Accessible advanced models
If you need…
European AI users
Choose
Le Chat
Why
Mistral AI ecosystem
More chat & assistants tools to consider:
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Google's all-purpose AI assistant for research, writing, planning, coding, image creation and everyday productivity.
Frequently asked questions
What is ChatGPT?+
ChatGPT is an AI assistant developed by OpenAI. It can answer questions, create content, search the web, analyse files, write code and help complete practical tasks.
Is ChatGPT free?+
Yes. ChatGPT has a free plan with limited access to messages, uploads, image generation, Deep Research, Codex and other features.
How much does ChatGPT cost?+
Official US prices include ChatGPT Go at $8 per month, Plus at $20 per month and Pro from $200 per month. Regional prices and taxes may vary.
Is ChatGPT Plus worth it?+
ChatGPT Plus offers the best balance for most frequent individual users who need advanced reasoning, expanded research, more uploads, image generation and custom workflows.
Is ChatGPT Pro worth it?+
ChatGPT Pro is designed for heavy professional users who regularly need the highest-quality reasoning, research and coding capabilities. Casual users are unlikely to require it.
What is the difference between ChatGPT and GPT?+
GPT refers to OpenAI's family of artificial intelligence models. ChatGPT is the application that uses those models alongside tools, memory and other product features.
What is the latest ChatGPT model?+
GPT-5.6 Sol is OpenAI's flagship reasoning model as of July 2026. GPT-5.5 Instant powers fast everyday interactions, while other GPT-5.6 variants serve different speed and capability requirements.
Can ChatGPT search the internet?+
Yes. ChatGPT Search can retrieve current online information and provide links to supporting sources.
Does ChatGPT provide citations?+
ChatGPT can provide citations for web-search and Deep Research responses. Users should open and verify important sources.
Can ChatGPT analyse PDF files?+
Yes. ChatGPT can summarise, compare and answer questions about supported PDF documents.
Can ChatGPT analyse spreadsheets?+
Yes. ChatGPT can run code to analyse spreadsheets, create charts, calculate statistics and identify trends.
Can ChatGPT generate images?+
Yes. ChatGPT can create original images and edit uploaded or previously generated images through written instructions.
Can ChatGPT create videos?+
ChatGPT's visual capabilities and connected OpenAI products may support video workflows, but availability depends on the current plan and product interface.
Can ChatGPT write code?+
Yes. ChatGPT can generate, explain, debug, test and improve code in multiple programming languages.
What is Codex?+
Codex is OpenAI's coding agent for working with software repositories, files, commands, tests and development tasks.
What is Deep Research?+
Deep Research is a ChatGPT capability that investigates a subject across multiple sources and produces a detailed report with citations.
What is ChatGPT Work?+
ChatGPT Work is an agentic environment for completing practical tasks across documents, applications, websites and other supported tools.
What are ChatGPT Projects?+
Projects group related chats, files and instructions so that ChatGPT can help with longer-running work.
Can ChatGPT remember me?+
ChatGPT can remember selected information and preferences when memory is enabled. Users can inspect, edit or delete saved memories.
Can ChatGPT schedule reminders?+
Eligible plans can create scheduled and recurring tasks, including reminders and periodic briefings.
What are custom GPTs?+
Custom GPTs are specialised versions of ChatGPT configured with instructions, knowledge and capabilities for a particular purpose.
Can ChatGPT connect to other applications?+
Yes. Eligible plans can connect ChatGPT to supported services such as Google Drive, Microsoft 365, Slack, GitHub and Figma.
Does ChatGPT use conversations for training?+
Consumer ChatGPT conversations may be used to improve OpenAI's models unless the user opts out. Business, Enterprise and Edu data is excluded from training by default.
What is Temporary Chat?+
Temporary Chat creates a conversation that does not appear in history, does not create memories and is not used for model training. It is deleted after 30 days.
Is ChatGPT safe for confidential business information?+
Organisations handling confidential information should use ChatGPT Business, Enterprise or another appropriate organisational plan with the required privacy and administrative controls.
Is ChatGPT accurate?+
ChatGPT can produce highly capable answers but can still make mistakes or invent information. Important claims should be independently verified.
Can ChatGPT replace Google Search?+
ChatGPT can answer many research questions directly, but traditional search remains valuable for finding original sources and independently checking claims.
Can students use ChatGPT?+
Yes. ChatGPT provides explanations, research assistance and Study Mode. Students must follow their school or university's academic-integrity rules.
Does ChatGPT have an API?+
Yes. Developers can access OpenAI models and tools through the OpenAI API. API billing is separate from ChatGPT subscriptions.
Can ChatGPT be used commercially?+
Yes, subject to OpenAI's terms and applicable law. Users remain responsible for checking accuracy, rights and regulatory requirements.
Reviewed by AskZyro Editorial Team
We assess AI tools for output quality, ease of use, pricing, practical value and limitations. Where possible, we test tools directly and verify product and pricing details with the provider.
Last reviewed: 28 July 2026
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