Checked against OpenAI’s pricing and help pages, plus dated reporting, on 7 October 2026.
The short answer
Yes, ChatGPT is free. From 8 October 2026 the free plan runs GPT-6 Luna, part of OpenAI’s new GPT-6 release, and it still gives you unlimited text chats. Images, voice, deep research, file uploads and Codex are included but limited. The catch: free users see ads, including in the UK since June 2026.
Paid plans: Go is $8 a month in the US and still has ads. Plus is $20 a month with no ads. Pro costs $100, $200 or $500 a month, or £89, £200 or £445 in the UK including VAT.
ChatGPT Free vs Go vs Plus vs Pro
| Feature | Free | Go | Plus | Pro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US price | $0 | $8/mo | $20/mo | $100, $200 or $500/mo |
| Ads | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Everyday model | GPT-6 Luna (from 8 Oct) | GPT-6 Luna (from 8 Oct) | GPT-6 Sol | GPT-6 Sol, plus Pro reasoning with GPT-6 Astra |
| Text chats | Unlimited | Unlimited | Higher limits on newer models | Unlimited within fair use |
| Image generation | Limited | More than Free | More complex and accurate | Unlimited and faster |
| Voice | Limited | Expanded | Expanded | Unlimited |
| Deep research | Limited | Limited | Expanded | Maximum |
| Codex (coding) | Limited | Limited | Expanded | Longer sessions |
| Memory | Limited | Full | Expanded | Maximum |
New: GPT-6 arrives on the free plan
OpenAI released GPT-6 in ChatGPT on 7 October 2026. Plus, Pro, Business and Enterprise users get GPT-6 Sol from that day. Free and Go users get GPT-6 Luna from 8 October.
The headline feature is what OpenAI calls Intelligent UI. Answers can now include charts, buttons, forms and small tools built inside the chat, such as a calculator or a bill splitter. OpenAI also says GPT-6 starts answering web-search questions 44% sooner, on average, than the model before it.
OpenAI hasn’t announced any price changes with GPT-6, and it hasn’t published new limits for the free plan.
How much is ChatGPT in the UK?
Viewed from the UK, ChatGPT’s pricing page shows ChatGPT Pro at £89, £200 or £445 a month for its three usage tiers, with 20% VAT included. OpenAI says Go pricing is localised in some markets, and Plus is $20 a month in the US. The exact UK price for Go and Plus shows when you choose a plan.
ChatGPT’s free plan limits
- Text chats: unlimited since 10 August 2026, and OpenAI’s pricing page now lists “unlimited text chats with GPT-6” on Free. The August change was reported by Engadget.
- Everything else is capped: image generation, voice, deep research, uploads and Codex all have limits.
- No fixed numbers: OpenAI doesn’t publish exact limits. They work as a weekly allowance, and you can check yours in Settings, then Usage.
Ads on ChatGPT Free and Go
OpenAI started showing ads to US users in February 2026 and expanded to the UK on 6 June 2026, according to PPC Land. Ads appear on the Free and Go plans as clearly labelled units, separate from ChatGPT’s answers. OpenAI says Plus, Pro, Business and Enterprise stay ad-free.
Your data on the free plan
Engadget reports that free accounts are used to help train OpenAI’s models by default. You can switch this off in Settings, then Data Controls.
Should you upgrade?
Before you pay, here is how every ChatGPT plan lines up against Claude on price. Our Claude vs ChatGPT comparison covers what each one includes.
| Your situation | Best plan |
|---|---|
| You mostly ask questions and write text | Free |
| You want more images, uploads and memory, and don’t mind ads | Go |
| You want no ads, better image generation and more research | Plus |
| ChatGPT is a full-time work tool and Plus keeps limiting you | Pro |
Comparing with Claude? See Claude vs ChatGPT and Is Claude free?
Thinking about Claude instead? See what Claude gives you for free and how its paid plans compare.
FAQ
Is GPT-6 free?
Yes. OpenAI says GPT-6 reaches the Free and Go plans from 8 October 2026, as GPT-6 Luna. Plus and Pro get GPT-6 Sol, from 7 October.
Is ChatGPT completely free?
The free plan is, with unlimited text chats and limited extras like images, voice and research. It shows ads.
Does ChatGPT Free have ads in the UK?
Yes. Ads reached UK users on the Free and Go plans from 6 June 2026. Plus and Pro don’t show ads.
How much is ChatGPT Plus?
$20 a month in the US, billed monthly, according to OpenAI’s help centre. Your local price, including UK VAT, shows when you choose the plan.
What’s the difference between ChatGPT Go and Plus?
Go is a cheaper plan with more images, uploads and memory than Free, but it still shows ads. Plus removes ads and gives access to newer models and more research and coding use.
Can I stop ChatGPT using my chats for training?
Yes. On the free plan, go to Settings, then Data Controls, and switch off the option to improve the model.
How this guide was made
- Plans and prices checked on OpenAI’s pricing and help pages on 7 October 2026, including the UK view of the pricing page. Ads and free-plan details come from the dated reports linked above. GPT-6 details come from OpenAI’s announcement on 7 October 2026.
- Drafted with help from an AI writing assistant, then fact-checked and edited by Adsen.
- We recheck this page monthly. No affiliate links.
Sources
- OpenAI: GPT-6 and Intelligent UI for everyone, 7 October 2026
- ChatGPT pricing (UK view), checked 7 October 2026
- What is ChatGPT Plus? OpenAI Help Center
- About ChatGPT Pro tiers, OpenAI Help Center
- Introducing ChatGPT Go, OpenAI (January 2026)
- ChatGPT: what’s free in 2026, Engadget (12 August 2026)
- ChatGPT ads go live in the UK, PPC Land
