Proposal: Intermediate Subscription Plan ($7.99/month)
As an active user of ChatGPT, I see great potential in bridging the gap between the free tier and the $20/month Plus subscription. I propose a $7.99 intermediate plan that balances affordability, accessibility, and OpenAI’s need to manage server load and retain premium-tier value.
Plan Overview
Price: $7.99/month.
GPT-4 Access: 150–300 queries/month.
Throttling Hierarchy: During high traffic:
Free-tier users are throttled first.
Intermediate-tier users throttled only if absolutely necessary, ensuring stable performance.
Unlimited-tier (Plus) users maintain priority access.
Advanced Features:
Image input/output (e.g., DALL·E): Same as free-tier limits. Full access exclusive to Plus.
No API access.
Benefits for Users
-
Affordable access for families, students, and budget-conscious professionals.
-
Significant improvement over free-tier restrictions while offering a clear path to upgrade.
-
A balanced plan that encourages thoughtful usage without overwhelming infrastructure.
Benefits for OpenAI
-
Revenue Diversification: Expands paying user base without cannibalizing Plus-tier subscriptions.
-
Load Management: Throttling hierarchy ensures server stability and preserves premium experiences.
-
Accessibility: Reinforces OpenAI’s mission of broad access to AI tools.
This plan offers a stepping stone for free-tier users who want more flexibility but don’t need unlimited access. At $7.99/month, it’s an attractive entry point while retaining significant incentives to upgrade to the $20/month plan.
What are your thoughts on this approach? I’d love to hear from the community and OpenAI team about its feasibility and value!