ChatGPT brings unlimited text chats to free users

Key Updates for All ChatGPT Tiers

OpenAI announced it is removing message limits on text-based chats for all users of ChatGPT, a platform that recently surpassed one billion weekly users. The change is powered by the new GPT-5.6 Luna model, which will become the default for Free and Go tier users, replacing GPT-5.5. This move significantly lowers the barrier to entry for high-volume use of a state-of-the-art language model and appears timed to solidify ChatGPT’s market position amidst growing competition.

The update introduces a tiered model strategy and new user controls. While free users gain access to GPT-5.6 Luna, Plus and Pro subscribers will be upgraded to GPT-5.6 Sol, a model optimized for rapid and robust answers for tasks like web research, planning, and writing. Both user groups will receive a new reasoning control feature: a “Think” button for free users to engage higher reasoning on complex prompts, and a more granular “thinking slider” for paid users to adjust the model's computational effort. According to OpenAI's internal evaluations, these new models show a substantial reduction in factual errors compared to their predecessor, GPT-5.5-Instant.

• Free & Go Users: Access to the new GPT-5.6 Luna model, unlimited text-based chats, and a 'Think' button for complex queries.
• Plus & Pro Users: Upgraded to the GPT-5.6 Sol model for more compact answers and a 'thinking slider' for fine-tuning reasoning depth.
• Performance Gains: Internal tests found GPT-5.6 Luna had 62% fewer factual errors and GPT-5.6 Sol had 68% fewer errors than GPT-5.5-Instant.
• Limitations: Usage limits will remain in place for files, images, voice, and image generation across all tiers.

By making unlimited, high-quality AI chat a free utility, OpenAI is directly challenging competitors to match its scale of delivery and model performance. This strategy commoditizes baseline conversational AI, shifting the monetization focus toward premium features, specialized models, and developer APIs. The introduction of distinct models and controls for free versus paid tiers establishes a clearer value proposition for subscribers, who gain efficiency and precision rather than just higher usage caps, a move likely intended to reduce churn and justify premium pricing.

By decoupling core text chat from usage limits, OpenAI is aggressively scaling its user base while creating a more sophisticated premium tier based on model quality and fine-grained control, effectively raising the cost of competition across the AI landscape.