In this blog post, we’ll break down how much GPT-4 costs, whether you’re using it through ChatGPT, via the OpenAI API, or exploring enterprise-level integration. By the end, you’ll have a complete understanding of GPT-4 pricing and which plan makes the most sense for you.
What Is GPT-4?
GPT-4 is OpenAI’s fourth-generation large language model (LLM), designed to deliver more accurate, creative, and context-aware outputs than its predecessor, GPT-3.5. It can understand and generate human-like text and, in newer variants, even process images and audio.
Released in March 2023, GPT-4 laid the foundation for GPT-4 Turbo (its faster, cheaper variant) and GPT-4o (its multimodal successor). Despite newer models emerging, GPT-4 remains a popular choice among developers and enterprises due to its reliability and performance.
GPT-4 vs GPT-4 Turbo: A Quick Clarification
Before we dive into pricing, it’s important to note that GPT-4 is not directly accessible in most cases. What you get under the GPT-4 label in ChatGPT and API usage is GPT-4 Turbo, a more optimized and affordable version of GPT-4.
OpenAI has stated that GPT-4 Turbo is cheaper and faster than the original GPT-4 but hasn’t confirmed if it’s the exact same model or a fine-tuned variation.
GPT-4 Cost: Three Main Pricing Models
There are three primary ways to access GPT-4 or GPT-4 Turbo:
1. ChatGPT Plus Subscription – $20/month
If you're using GPT-4 through ChatGPT at chat.openai.com, you need to subscribe to ChatGPT Plus, which costs $20/month as of May 2025.
This plan gives you access to:
- GPT-4 Turbo (listed as GPT-4 in the app)
- Faster and more reliable responses
- Priority access during peak times
- Tools like memory, voice chat, and file uploads
Best for: Writers, students, marketers, freelancers, and casual developers who want consistent access to GPT-4-level performance.
- OpenAI API Pricing – Pay-as-You-Go (Token-Based)
If you’re building apps or automations using GPT-4 via the OpenAI API, your cost depends on how many tokens (chunks of text) you process.
Here’s the GPT-4 Turbo API pricing (as of May 2025):
| Token Type | Cost per 1,000 tokens |
| Input (prompt) | $0.01 |
| Output (response) | $0.03 |
Let’s say you send a prompt of 500 tokens and get a response of 500 tokens — that’s 1,000 tokens total, costing $0.04 per interaction.
Example monthly cost:
- Light usage (100K tokens): ~$4
- Moderate usage (1M tokens): ~$40
- Heavy usage (10M tokens): ~$400
Best for: Developers, AI startups, SaaS platforms, and any business building tools with AI capabilities.
- Enterprise Plans – Custom Pricing
For large-scale businesses, OpenAI offers custom enterprise solutions with dedicated infrastructure, security features, admin controls, and usage monitoring.
Pricing here varies based on:
- Monthly usage volume
- Support levels required
- Model customization (e.g., fine-tuning or embeddings)
Best for: Corporations integrating AI across departments, large customer support systems, or complex internal tooling.
How Does GPT-4 Compare to GPT-3.5?
If you’re considering whether to use GPT-4 or GPT-3.5, here’s a quick comparison:
| Feature | GPT-3.5 | GPT-4 Turbo |
| Free in ChatGPT? | ✅ Yes | ❌ No (Plus only) |
| Accuracy & Reasoning | Moderate | High |
| API Cost (Input) | $0.0015 per 1K tokens | $0.01 per 1K tokens |
| API Cost (Output) | $0.002 per 1K tokens | $0.03 per 1K tokens |
GPT-4 is around 5–10x more expensive than GPT-3.5 in the API, but offers better results, especially for complex tasks.
Is GPT-4 Worth the Cost?
It depends on your goals.
✅ Yes, if you need:
- More accurate writing
- Complex code generation or debugging
- Better understanding of nuanced prompts
- Multistep reasoning (e.g., summarization, logic)
❌ Maybe not, if:
- You're doing basic Q&A or casual conversations
- You have a limited budget and don’t need top-tier output
Many users find GPT-3.5 sufficient for lightweight tasks and switch to GPT-4 when quality matters most.
Tips to Reduce GPT-4 API Costs
If you’re using GPT-4 through the API, here are a few ways to save money:
- Shorten prompts: Every token adds cost — be concise.
- Stream output: End the generation early when you get a usable response.
- Use GPT-3.5 where possible: For simpler tasks, it can cut costs significantly.
- Monitor usage: Use OpenAI's dashboard to avoid surprises.
Final Thoughts: GPT-4 Cost in 2025
The GPT-4 cost depends on how you access it:
- ChatGPT Plus: $20/month
- API usage: $0.01–$0.03 per 1,000 tokens
- Enterprise: Custom quotes
GPT-4 (or GPT-4 Turbo) strikes a great balance between performance and affordability. Whether you’re exploring AI out of curiosity or integrating it into your business, there’s a pricing tier that fits your needs.
Read more on- https://keploy.io/blog/community/how-to-compare-two-json-files