November 30, 2023

You may not be paying something for the free model of OpenAI’s ChatGPT generative AI software program, however OpenAI spends cash working it. That’s why the free ChatGPT model gained’t offer you entry to the perfect ChatGPT expertise.

If you would like each characteristic, it’s important to pay $20 a month for ChatGPT Plus. The premium model offers entry to the quicker, extra refined GPT-4 language mannequin. The ChatGPT Plus subscription additionally provides you early entry to the brand new ChatGPT options that OpenAI retains releasing.

Nevertheless, in the event you don’t need to spend $20 per 30 days on ChatGPT Plus however nonetheless need entry to GPT-4, there’s an app for that. It’s known as Pal – A ChatBot Consumer, and it’s out there on the iPhone proper now. The app will aid you lower your expenses, as you’ll solely pay for the GPT-4 entry you eat. Additionally, the app retains all of the conversations on-device somewhat than sharing them with OpenAI.

You solely want one factor moreover putting in Pal – A ChatBot Consumer from the App Retailer. That’s getting an API Key from OpenAI. That is the way you’ll pay on your GPT-4 entry contained in the app. Once more, GPT-4 entry isn’t and might’t be free. Apps like Pal may be a greater answer for ChatGPT customers who’re on a tighter funds.

The developer introduced on Reddit that the app additionally helps dialog historical past, one thing you may be utilizing on the official ChatGPT apps. Nevertheless, the historical past of the chats is saved solely on the system.

Pal – A ChatBot Consumer iPhone app brings cheaper entry to GPT-4. Picture supply: App Retailer

You additionally get to save lots of prompts and system messages, edit your questions, and replica total conversations. Pal comes with full Markdown and Syntax highlighting assist.

Along with entry to GPT-4, Pal will allow you to use GPT-3.5 (the free ChatGPT) and Google’s PaLM chat mannequin (just like Bard). You additionally get assist for Dall-E picture technology.

Moreover, the app will present you the token size and the price of every dialog. That method, you’ll know whether or not you’re staying inside your funds. That’s truly the characteristic you’ll need to take note of. There may be circumstances the place the ChatGPT Plus subscription is cheaper.

A distinct Redditor gave the next examples when making an attempt to check ChatGPT costs between GPT-3.5 and GPT-4. This means that heavy GPT-4 use may make the Plus subscription a greater deal than API funds:

None of their fashions are free by way of the API (ignoring a free trial month). However 3.5 may be very low cost by way of the API.

Calculating precisely how a lot requires lots of assumptions, however let’s say you wished to ask it 1,000 questions a month (33/day) towards the 16K 3.5-Turbo context with 1K common response token size and 500 common request token size, you’re taking a look at roughly $6/month. Most individuals gained’t spend $20/month utilizing the three.5-Turbo API.

That’s why in the event you’re paying $20/month you higher be utilizing the ChatGPT 4 mannequin(s) the place the identical 1,000 questions could also be $150 by way of the API!

Lastly, I’ll additionally word that the iPhone app doesn’t acquire any consumer information. If in case you have a Mac with an Apple chip (M1 or later), you may run the app on the PC as effectively.

With all that in thoughts, Pal appears like an app it’s best to have in your radar, particularly in the event you plan on taking your ChatGPT use to the following stage.