ChatGPT Rolls Out Free User Access to Custom GPTs; Try Purpose-Specific AI Chatbots

Free Tier Users Access OpenAI’s GPT Store, Interact with Custom Chatbots

OpenAI has begun rolling out a significant feature update for ChatGPT users. The AI firm is now granting access to GPTs, its purpose-specific mini chatbots, on a global scale. This expansion means even users on the free tier of ChatGPT can interact with these specialized chatbots, leveraging them for various tasks. The GPT Store, where these chatbots reside, offers a diverse array of options ranging from writing assistance, productivity tools, research aids, and even programming support, tailored to specific user needs. Additionally, numerous software firms have contributed their own brand-specific GPTs to the store.

Previously restricted to premium subscribers, GPTs were announced for broader accessibility during OpenAI’s recent Spring Update event. As of now, access to these chatbots is gradually rolling out globally, with full availability expected across all users in the coming days. Gadgets 360 confirmed access to GPTs via the GPT Store on Thursday, marking a significant step in democratizing AI tools.

However, there’s a limitation for free-tier users: while they can utilize existing GPTs, they do not have the ability to create new chatbots themselves. The creation feature, which involves generating GPTs with custom text prompts and optionally integrating specific databases, remains exclusive to paid subscribers for now. This distinction ensures that advanced customization capabilities are tied to subscription tiers, balancing accessibility with enhanced functionality for premium users.

ChatGPT users should expect another feature update from OpenAI now. The artificial intelligence (AI) firm has begun rolling out access to GPTs, its mini chatbots designed for a specific purpose, globally. Even those on the free tier of ChatGPT can interact with these chatbots and use them for specific tasks. The company’s GPT Store has a large number of chatbots that can assist users with writing, productivity, research and analysis, programming, or just conversations in specific styles. Several software firms have also created and published brand-specific GPTs.

OpenAI expands GPTs to all users

Before OpenAI’s Spring Update event, hosted earlier this month, GPTs used to be a premium feature accessible only to the paid subscribers of the platform. However, during the event, the company announced that these chatbots would be accessible to everyone soon. Gadgets 360 was finally able to access GPTs via the GPT Store on Thursday. The feature should reach all users globally in the coming days.

There is one caveat, however. While free ChatGPT users can access and interact with GPTs, they will not be able to create new chatbots. The ability to create new GPTs with text prompts, and optionally with a specific database, has not been extended to the free tier.

Other interesting GPTs are Canva, Code Copilot, Cartoonize Yourself, as well as Data Analyst and Planty by OpenAI. So far, we have not come across any limits on interaction with these GPTs, but we cannot confirm the absence of it either.