Our verdict
OpenAI needs no introduction. Founded in 2015, it has grown into the most recognised AI brand in the world, largely on the back of ChatGPT's November 2022 launch. With over 200 million weekly active users and enterprise clients that include Microsoft, its distribution is unrivalled.
GPT-4o — the default model as of 2024 — is genuinely impressive for text, image, audio, and reasoning tasks. The API is the most mature in the industry, with extensive documentation, SDKs, and a thriving third-party ecosystem. For developers building on top of AI, OpenAI remains the safe default choice.
The free tier is generous: access to GPT-4o mini at no cost, with a clear upgrade path. ChatGPT Plus at $20/month unlocks GPT-4o, DALL-E image generation, Advanced Data Analysis, and custom GPTs.
Weaknesses are real: pricing for high-volume API usage is steep, output quality has reportedly regressed slightly compared to earlier GPT-4 versions, and the company's rapid commercialisation has raised safety concerns among researchers.
For most users — especially those new to AI — ChatGPT remains the easiest starting point.
Pros and cons
What we like
- Largest model ecosystem
- Best-in-class GPT-4o
- Excellent API documentation
- Strong free tier
What we don't like
- API costs add up at scale
- Privacy concerns for enterprises
- Safety governance uncertainty
Pricing plans (March 2026)
| Plan | Price | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0/mo | GPT-4o mini, limited GPT-4o |
| Plus | $20/mo | GPT-4o, DALL-E, Advanced Data Analysis |
| Team | $30/mo | Higher limits, team admin tools |
| Enterprise | Custom | Unlimited, SSO, compliance |
Who should use OpenAI?
OpenAI is best suited for: largest model ecosystem, best-in-class gpt-4o, excellent api documentation, strong free tier. If api costs add up at scale is a concern for you, consider one of the alternatives below.