Is ChatGPT Plus Still Worth It With GPT-5 Now Free?
GPT-5 is free for everyone, but ChatGPT Plus still offers perks for heavy users. Here’s why the $20 subscription may still be worth it.
EN - AI
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8/18/20251 min read
Since August 2025, GPT-5 is available for free to all ChatGPT users. But is the $20/month ChatGPT Plus subscription still worth paying for? Let’s break down the advantages that keep it relevant.
GPT-5 Free for All: A Game Changer
Launch date: August 7, 2025. GPT-5 replaced all earlier models.
Features: text + code generation, multimodality, navigation, document analysis, larger context window, improved accuracy.
Limits: the free tier enforces stricter quotas and offers less control over model modes.
Why ChatGPT Plus Still Matters
1. Higher usage limits
Free: 1 GPT-5 Thinking message/day.
Plus: 10 every 5 hours, ideal for research, content creation, and heavy workflows.
2. Access to legacy models (GPT-4o, 4.1, etc.)
Many users prefer GPT-4o for style and accuracy.
OpenAI re-enabled legacy models only for Plus subscribers.
3. Control over GPT-5 modes
Free: automatic routing.
Plus: manual choice between Thinking, Thinking Mini, and Fast.
4. Faster responses & priority access
Reduced wait times and priority access during peak hours.
5. Early access to new features
Spreadsheet uploads, custom GPTs, integrations: Plus users get them first.
User Feedback
Reddit highlights:
“For the access of 4o, 4.1, o3 and o4, yeah.”
But criticism exists:
“GPT-5 feels like a downgrade.”
OpenAI responded by restoring GPT-4o for Plus users and promising more customization soon.
Conclusion
👉 For casual users, the free GPT-5 tier is more than enough.
👉 For professionals and power users, ChatGPT Plus remains a smart investment, offering speed, reliability, and more control.
📺 Don’t miss my YouTube videos where I test GPT-5 features and compare free vs. Plus performance :
