From GPT-3 to the cutting-edge o1 series to now free web search capabilities for all users, OpenAI's language models are pushing the boundaries of what AI can achieve.
It’s a journey of constant development, with each new model improving upon the last and the latest o1 series enabling new performance levels in speed and context understanding.
Ultimately, your unique needs will determine the best model for you, which you can access through OpenAI's tiered subscriptions.
TL;DR
GPT-4 is better for reasoning tasks and handling both text and images compared to earlier models. Although o1 Pro costs $200/month, it performs best for specialized work like data analysis and coding challenges. For API users, o1 Pro offers the most processing power, while o1-mini, at $20/month, is a budget-friendly option for faster, simpler tasks in day-to-day use.
Overview of ChatGPT Models
OpenAI offers you a distinct option of ChatGPT models, each with unique strengths and capabilities, customized for various applications in natural language processing (NLP).
These models are a big step forward in natural language processing. Each model builds on the previous one’s strengths and adds more reasoning, accuracy, and power.
Let’s see what makes each model unique and how they can help you.
GPT-4
GPT-4 is the foundation model, a big improvement over GPT-3.5. You’ll notice right away it's a better understanding of context and subtlety. 94% accuracy on complex reasoning tasks, it’s great at:
Up to 8K context window in the standard version
94% accuracy in complex reasoning tasks
Multimodal capabilities (text and image processing)
Advanced code generation and analysis
Professional content creation and problem-solving
For plus subscription users, GPT-4 puts in the best equation of capabilities and accessibility that is perfect for professionals who need reliable, intelligent assistance.
o1
Building on GPT-4's solid foundation, o1 is the next step in computational sophistication. You'll experience a noticeable improvement in analytical capabilities, with advancements including:
16K context window
96% accuracy in specialized tasks
Superior consistency in long-form analysis
Advanced memory handling for extended conversations
Plus, a subscription provides access to o1's advanced analytical capabilities, which is best for complex computational tasks
o1-mini
o1-mini is no doubt an efficiency expert. While maintaining impressive capabilities, it's best optimized for speed and resource management. You'll appreciate its:
Fastest response times (100ms)
95% accuracy in standard operations
Resource-efficient processing
Streamlined processing for everyday tasks
Cost-effective solution for regular usage
It’s available through the Plus subscription and is perfect for quick, efficient responses without losing its core functionality.
o1 Pro
For those requiring ultimate performance, o1 Pro is a premium offering. As it’s the most advanced model with enterprise-grade performance: it provides:
Industry-leading 98% accuracy in specialized tasks
95ms inference speeds
Up to 128K tokens
Enterprise-grade security and scalability
Maximum processing capabilities
Exclusive to Pro subscription, it is designed specifically for enterprise applications requiring top-tier performance and security.
Each model is for your desired needs: GPT-4 for professional use, o1 for special processing, o1-mini for efficient operations, and o1 Pro for enterprise demand.
Subscription Tiers: What's on Offer?
Feature | Free Tier | Plus ($20/month) | Pro ($200/month) |
Available Models | GPT-3.5, 4o mini (Limited) | GPT-4o, o1, o1-mini | All models including o1 Pro |
Response Speed | Standard | Priority | Maximum Priority |
Context Window | 8K tokens | Up to 32K tokens | Up to 128K tokens |
API Access | No | Basic | Advanced |
Availability | Limited during peak | 24/7 access | 24/7 priority access |
Message Limit | Limited | Extended | Unlimited |
Web Browsing | Limited | Extended | Unlimited |
Image Generation | Limited | Extended | Unlimited |
Voice Mode | Standard | Standard & Advanced | Standard & Advanced |
Use Cases | Basic tasks | Professional use | Enterprise applications |
Custom Features | None | Basic customization | Advanced customization |
Security Features | Standard | Enhanced | Enterprise-grade |
Support Level | Community | Priority | Dedicated support |
The Free tier offers you limited access to GPT-4o mini with standard voice capabilities. You can explore everyday AI tasks with limited access to file uploads, advanced analysis, web browsing, and image generation, plus the ability to use custom GPTs.
However, the Plus subscription ($20/month) expands functionalities with extended limits on messaging, file uploads, advanced analysis, and image generation. You can access both standard and advanced voice modes, o1 and o1-mini (though sometimes limited), early feature testing, and the ability to create custom GPTs.
The Pro tier ($200/month) delivers unlimited access to GPT-4o and o1, advanced voice features, and exclusive access to o1 pro mode for handling complex queries. This tier particularly suits users requiring maximum computational power for challenging tasks.
For organizations, the Team plan ($25/user/month annually or $30/user/month monthly) provides improved message limits, workspace collaboration features, and an admin console.
However, the Enterprise tier offers additional benefits including high-speed access to all models, expanded context windows, and custom data retention options.
Performance Benchmarks: Strengths and Weaknesses
The performance of ChatGPT models varies significantly depending on the task and context. This variation can impact work efficiency and outcomes. Also, the benchmark tests run by OpenAI have revealed how each model performs different tasks.
Here's a comparative analysis of their strengths and weaknesses, based on these benchmarks:
Model | Strengths | Weaknesses |
GPT-3.5 | General conversation Basic query handling User accessibility | Limited reasoning Complex problem-solving Lower accuracy |
GPT-4 | 94% reasoning accuracy Multimodal processing Context understanding | Nuanced queries Variable performance Resource demands |
o1 | 96% specialized accuracy Pattern recognition Long-form consistency | High computation needs Slower basic tasks Resource intensity |
o1-mini | 100ms response time 95% standard accuracy Efficient processing | Limited capabilities Complex query handling Feature restrictions |
o1 Pro | 98% specialized accuracy 95ms inference speed Enterprise capabilities | Premium pricing High complexity Resource overhead |
Performance metrics also show substantial improvements in computational speed and processing power, with progressive enhancements in response time, context handling, and task accuracy.
Processing and Accuracy
GPT-4o improves upon previous versions with improved processing speed and accuracy. It handles a wide range of tasks from basic content creation to analysis with consistent performance.
The o1 series is more on methodical processing, implementing reasoning capabilities for complex tasks. These models are best in detailed analysis and nuanced comprehension. But, GPT-4o mini is good with efficiency with capability, providing faster response times while maintaining reliable performance for standard tasks.
o1 Pro Mode - ChatGPT Pro Full Analysis
o1 Pro introduces significant architectural improvements focused on reliability and computational depth. The model employs improved computing resources to "think harder" about complex problems, particularly evident in its consistent performance across multiple attempts.
It gives more reliable and comprehensive responses, particularly in data science, programming, and case law analysis.
Single-Attempt Performance (Pass@1)
Looking at the benchmark data gathered during the OpenAI’s research, o1 Pro shows some great improvements in accuracy for specialized tasks.
Competition Math (AIME 2024): 86% accuracy, surpassing o1 (78%) and o1-preview (50%)
Competitive Coding (Codeforces): 90% accuracy, exceeding o1 (89%) and o1-preview (62%)
PhD-Level Science Questions: 79% accuracy, improving upon o1 (76%) and o1-preview (74%)
Reliability Testing (4/4 Metric)
To evaluate consistent performance, OpenAI implemented a rigorous "4/4 reliability" protocol - models must solve problems correctly in four consecutive attempts. This shows o1 Pro with superior consistency across domains:
Mathematics (AIME 2024): 80% reliability vs o1 (67%) and o1-preview (37%)
Competitive Coding: 75% vs o1 (64%) and o1-preview (26%)
Scientific Analysis: 74% vs o1 (67%) and o1-preview (58%)
So, this shows o1 Pro's improved stability in complex problem-solving, particularly in mathematical and computational tasks.
Enhanced Processing Methodology
o1 Pro introduces advanced processing features focused on handling complex queries effectively. The model implements extended computation time for challenging problems while keeping users informed through a transparent interface.
Important operational features include:
Progress bars indicating computational status
Real-time tracking for extended processing tasks
Background computation capabilities
Intelligent notification system for task completion
When processing demands additional time, the system maintains user engagement through visual progress indicators and notifications, particularly valuable for researchers and professionals handling complex analytical tasks.
So, from data science and biomedical analysis to programming challenges and legal interpretation, o1 Pro shows improved computational capabilities with remarkable consistency in specialized domains.
Image and Abstract Reasoning: Room for Growth
ChatGPT shows interesting capabilities in processing visual information and handling abstract reasoning tasks, though significant limitations exist in both areas.
For instance, in visual processing, the system manages basic image description and object identification but it struggles with complex spatial relationships and technical diagram interpretation.
This limitation becomes particularly apparent in scenarios requiring detailed visual analysis or real-time processing.
Abstract Reasoning Performance
ChatGPT also shows strong pattern recognition and logical connection abilities, providing structured approaches to problem-solving.
However, it faces significant challenges with complex metaphorical thinking and adaptation to novel situations.
For instance, in scenarios requiring creative solutions or cross-domain reasoning, these limitations become more evident.
However, OpenAi’s current focus areas include enhancing visual comprehension, improving contextual analysis, and strengthening conceptual mapping.
Multilingual Support and Limitations
ChatGPT's multilingual capabilities span various languages, with the strongest performance in English, Spanish, French, and Mandarin. The system handles both translation and native language processing, which makes it valuable for global communication.
For businesses and organizations, it processes general content and technical documentation across languages, though accuracy varies. Major language pairs show reliable performance in professional contexts, while less common languages show more limited capabilities.
Educational and research applications can also benefit through multilingual resource creation and cross-language information processing. However, cultural nuances and specialized terminology require attention, particularly in professional settings. It is also important that organizations should establish verification protocols for critical communications, especially in legal or technical domains.
API Availability of ChatGPT Models
OpenAI provides a range of ChatGPT models that are accessible via API, allowing developers to integrate advanced AI capabilities into their applications.
Models Available via API
OpenAI's API includes several models, each customized for different use cases and performance requirements. The following models are currently available:
Model | Description |
GPT-4o | Flagship model for complex, multimodal tasks (text & images). |
GPT-4o mini | Smaller, faster version of GPT-4o for lightweight tasks. |
o1-mini | Compact o1 variant for efficient standard task processing. |
GPT-3.5 Turbo | Fast, affordable model for simple tasks and chats. |
DALL·E | Generates and edits images from text prompts. |
Whisper | Converts audio to text for transcription and voice recognition. |
TTS (Text-to-Speech) | Converts text into natural-sounding speech. |
Embeddings | Converts text into numerical data for ML applications. |
Moderation | Flags sensitive or unsafe text content. |
GPT-4 API is generally available to all paying customers, allowing access to its advanced capabilities. Also, the GPT-3.5 Turbo, DALL·E, and Whisper APIs are available.
However, OpenAI has announced a deprecation plan for older models in the Completions API, which will be retired starting January 2024. So, you can transition to the Chat Completions API for better performance and features.
You must also remember that the GPT-4o model supports multimodal inputs (text and images), improving its versatility in applications that require both types of data. It also features a context window of up to 128K tokens, allowing it to handle extensive input data effectively.
Accessing the API
To access the OpenAI API and utilize these models, you must follow these steps:
Sign Up for an API Key: Developers need to create an account on the OpenAI platform and obtain an API key to authenticate their requests.
Integrate with Applications: Using the provided API endpoints, you can send requests to interact with the models programmatically. For example, sending a POST request to https://api.openai.com/v1/chat/completions allows users to generate responses from the selected model.
Monitor Usage Limits: Each user has specific rate limits based on their subscription plan. You should monitor their usage to avoid exceeding these limits.
Data Privacy Compliance: OpenAI retains API data for 30 days but does not use it for training unless explicitly opted in by users. You must ensure compliance with relevant data protection regulations when handling sensitive information.
When integrating AI, startup and tech company owners must evaluate their business needs and consider options such as the OpenAI API, open-source models, or custom solutions.
Safety and Ethical Consideration
AI language models also present critical ethical challenges through potential biases and misinformation risks. Training data biases can influence outputs, affecting fairness and representation in decision-making processes.
Despite sophisticated filtering, these systems may generate convincing but inaccurate content, particularly concerning healthcare, finance, and technical domains.
Current safeguards implement content filtering, bias detection, and fact-verification systems. So, organizations must establish monitoring protocols and clear usage guidelines.
However, understanding these limitations and implementing verification processes helps maintain information integrity while effectively leveraging AI capabilities.
Is It Worth Upgrading?
The value of upgrading depends on your specific needs and usage patterns. Plus subscription ($20/month) provides you access to GPT-4 and o1, suitable for most professional applications. The significant performance improvements justify this investment for regular users requiring enhanced capabilities. Pro subscription ($200/month) provides maximum performance through o1 Pro access. This investment proves worthwhile for:
Enterprise applications requiring highest accuracy
Research tasks demanding consistent reliability
Complex technical projects needing advanced processing
Organizations handling sensitive or critical operations
So, for general professional use, the Plus subscription gives you strong value. Pro subscription justifies its cost primarily for specialized enterprise needs requiring premium performance and reliability.
The Wrap
The ChatGPT model family gives you a wide variety of AI tools. Each one is built to handle different jobs and meet different user needs.
You can pick from the free version that anyone can use, all the way up to the the most advanced GPT-4 Pro. Choose the right one, you need, understand the capabilities and limitations of each model, and make the best-informed decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the differences between GPT-3.5, GPT-4, o1, and o1 Pro?
GPT-3.5 serves basic needs, GPT-4 offers professional capabilities, o1 handles complex tasks, and o1 Pro provides enterprise-grade performance with specialized features and maximum accuracy.