ChatGPT Pro is introduced: Is it worth $200?

ChatGPT Pro, a newly announced $200 monthly subscription plan from OpenAI, is designed to offer users premium access to OpenAI’s most advanced models and features. This plan is specifically tailored for users who need the absolute best from AI capabilities, including researchers, engineers, and professionals who use AI-driven insights daily. But is it worth the price tag? In this article, we’ll explore the features, potential benefits, and possible downsides of investing in ChatGPT Pro.

ChatGPT Pro explained

OpenAI has launched ChatGPT Pro as a premium option for those seeking high-end, research-grade access to artificial intelligence. The $200 plan includes access to the following:

• OpenAI o1 and OpenAI o1 Pro mode: Subscribers get to use OpenAI’s o1 model, as well as o1 pro mode, which uses more computational power to generate more precise answers for complex queries. This pro mode is especially optimized for areas such as data science, advanced programming, and case law analysis.
• Unlimited access to GPT-4o and Advanced Voice features: The plan provides unrestricted usage of the GPT-4o model and includes advanced voice features, allowing users to interact with AI using natural voice commands and receive more refined spoken responses.
• Model variety: ChatGPT Pro users have access to a wider variety of models, including the o1-mini for efficiency and GPT-4o mini, in addition to the more computationally intensive models. This variety allows flexibility depending on the task requirements.

One key feature of the Pro mode is its enhanced reliability. The model is trained to think longer, which significantly improves its accuracy for complex scenarios. According to OpenAI, in evaluations with external expert testers, o1 pro mode consistently outperformed both o1 and o1-preview in terms of providing comprehensive and reliable answers. The company provided benchmark results demonstrating o1 pro mode’s superior performance across challenging machine learning tasks related to mathematics, science, and coding.

For example, on competitive math assessments like the AIME (American Invitational Mathematics Examination) 2024, the pro model achieved a pass@1 accuracy of 86% compared to 78% for o1 and 50% for o1-preview. Similarly, on platforms such as Codeforces, which is used to evaluate coding abilities, o1 pro mode scored 90% pass@1, well above o1’s 89% and significantly surpassing o1-preview’s 62%.

The pro model achieved a pass@1 accuracy of 86% compared to 78% for o1 and 50% for o1-preview

To further emphasize its reliability, OpenAI uses a strict 4/4 reliability metric—where the model must answer correctly in all four attempts to be considered successful. On this metric, the pro mode also showed substantial improvements compared to earlier versions of the model. For professionals working in fields like data science, case law, and biomedical research, having consistent and dependable answers is critical—making this enhanced reliability a significant selling point.

Apart from computational enhancements, OpenAI is also rolling out ChatGPT Pro Grants to medical researchers. Ten grants will be awarded initially to medical professionals in the United States to promote advancements in healthcare, focusing on research involving genetics, aging, and disease prevention. Notable grant recipients include Catherine Brownstein from Boston Children’s Hospital, Justin Reese from Berkeley Lab, Rhoda Au from Boston University, and Derya Unutmaz from The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine. These grants highlight OpenAI’s intention to drive impactful research across critical fields with the help of advanced AI tools.

To further emphasize its reliability, OpenAI uses a strict 4/4 reliability metric

OpenAI also has plans to further expand the capabilities of ChatGPT Pro. They aim to roll out even more compute-intensive features to help those in need of highly specialized and resource-intensive productivity tools. The ambition is clear: to make ChatGPT Pro the ultimate AI assistant for those on the cutting edge of research and problem-solving.

Summary of ChatGPT Pro features

• Price: $200 per month.
• Access to advanced models: Includes o1, o1 pro mode, GPT-4o, and o1-mini.
• Enhanced thinking power: o1 pro mode uses extra compute resources for more accurate and reliable answers.
• Performance metrics: Significant improvement in benchmark performance, including AIME and Codeforces tests.
• Voice interaction: Includes advanced voice capabilities for more natural spoken interaction.
• Reliability: Uses a strict “4/4 reliability” evaluation to ensure consistent output.
• Grants for researchers: Ten initial grants awarded to medical researchers to further scientific discoveries.
• Future enhancements: More compute-intensive features to be added in future updates.

Should I pay $200 to ChatGPT Pro?

It depends on your specific needs: if you require cutting-edge AI capabilities for specialized tasks, ChatGPT Pro might be worth the $200, but for general productivity, the standard version is likely sufficient.

Yes: If You need the cutting edge in AI performance

If you are a professional who deals with complex questions daily—whether you’re a data scientist, a software engineer, a researcher, or even a law professional working on deep case analysis—ChatGPT Pro could be well worth the $200 monthly fee. Here’s why:

1. Superior accuracy and reliability: When dealing with critical tasks, the need for precision is paramount. The enhanced accuracy and 4/4 reliability of the o1 pro mode make it a valuable tool for professionals who simply cannot afford errors in their calculations or insights. Fields like data science and engineering require rigorous analysis, and the pro mode’s ability to think longer and more deeply ensures that users receive consistently high-quality outputs.
2. Advanced model options: ChatGPT Pro allows access to not just the standard o1 model but also o1 pro mode, which means you can utilize AI for a wide variety of tasks—from less compute-intensive applications to those that require highly detailed insights. If you’re juggling tasks ranging from quick prototyping to highly computational research, the versatility offered by Pro might suit your needs perfectly.
3. Specialized grants and focus areas: The ChatGPT Pro Grants indicate OpenAI’s strong emphasis on utilizing AI for research and improving productivity in areas like medical research. If you’re in academia or healthcare, these grants could offer an added incentive, providing access to powerful AI models that might otherwise be too costly or computationally limited.
4. Voice features: Advanced voice interaction is a unique addition, enabling seamless verbal interactions with the AI. For professionals who prefer speaking to typing, or for situations where hands-free interaction is required, this could be a game-changer.

Overall, for professionals who need enhanced reliability, depth, and breadth of computational capabilities, and who are willing to invest for the cutting edge, ChatGPT Pro is a package that delivers unmatched power.

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No: If you use ChatGPT for general productivity

On the other hand, if you use ChatGPT for general productivity tasks—like drafting emails, summarizing reports, or casual coding help—the Pro plan might not be the right investment. Here’s why it may not be worth the $200 per month for you:

1. Standard models provide adequate output: The models available under the regular ChatGPT subscription already provide high-quality answers for most everyday use cases. If you aren’t tackling highly specialized, compute-heavy challenges, you are unlikely to notice a drastic difference between the performance of the standard and pro versions. For tasks like email drafting, general Q&A, or even basic coding, the pro features may be overkill.
2. High cost for casual users: At $200 per month, ChatGPT Pro is a significant financial commitment. For individuals or small businesses that don’t need the full computational power of o1 pro mode, this price point may be prohibitively high. Many casual users might find that a basic subscription, which costs considerably less, offers more value relative to their needs.
3. Delayed response times: While o1 pro mode aims for accuracy, generating answers in this mode also takes longer. OpenAI has stated that due to the extra computational power required, responses can take longer to generate, which may not be ideal for those who prioritize speed over accuracy. If your focus is on rapid iterations or short answers, the delayed output may be frustrating rather than helpful.
4. Limited additional features: Aside from enhanced accuracy, there aren’t many exclusive features that distinguish ChatGPT Pro from the lower-tier plans. The voice capabilities are certainly impressive, but if this isn’t something you envision using frequently, it may not justify the hefty subscription fee.

Ultimately, unless you have a specific need for the advanced reliability and computation available only with the pro models, most users will find the standard version of ChatGPT to be more than capable of handling their day-to-day requirements.

OpenAI will make several more announcements during its 12 Days of OpenAI schedule:

Image credits: OpenAI