top of page
Search

How to use ChatGPT for free in 2025: now with GPT‑5 Fast, Thinking mode, and new desktop tools

ree

GPT‑5 is now included in the free tier, but with strict usage limits and automatic fallback to lighter models.

As of September 2025, OpenAI now allows free-tier users to access GPT‑5—both the Fast and Thinking versions—within a carefully monitored message quota. This marks the first time a flagship model has been made available to everyone, even without a subscription. The model options visible in the chat interface now include:

  • GPT‑5 Fast: limited to 10 messages per 5 hours

  • GPT‑5 Thinking: limited to 1 message per day

  • GPT‑5 Mini: a fallback, lightweight sibling automatically used once limits are reached


Once these caps are exceeded, the chat reverts to GPT‑5 Mini or GPT‑4o Mini for the rest of the period, and resets on a rolling basis. Despite the constraints, this opens a real opportunity for users to experiment with advanced reasoning, planning, and long-form generation without paying.



The ChatGPT web version remains the primary entry point for free users to try GPT‑5 and other tools.

All free-tier access starts with chat.openai.com, where anyone with an OpenAI account can:

  • Use GPT‑5 Fast and GPT‑5 Thinking within quota

  • Upload images and screenshots for analysis

  • Chat with voice (when GPU availability allows)

  • Use simple file tools (with limited capacity)

  • Browse the web (within quota-based sessions)


The chat interface clearly shows when a GPT‑5 message will be counted against your daily or hourly limit, and when you’ve switched to a lighter model. Free users must stay signed in for these features to work correctly; anonymous sessions are restricted to GPT‑4 mini or 3.5-tier fallback.



The desktop apps for macOS and Windows let you use GPT‑5 from anywhere with a shortcut.

OpenAI’s native apps for macOS and Windows 11 provide an elegant interface for free-tier users, replicating all the browser features and adding system-wide accessibility:

  • macOS shortcut: Option + Space

  • Windows shortcut: Alt + Space


Once installed, you can summon ChatGPT over any active application and ask questions, generate text, analyze documents, or write code. GPT‑5 usage quotas apply here just as on the web version, but the performance tends to be smoother and more consistent—especially when running in the background or multitasking.

These apps also allow for basic file uploads, chat memory sync, image understanding, and limited GPT Store access.


The iOS and Android apps let you carry your GPT‑5 access in your pocket—limits included.

The official mobile apps now bring the GPT‑5 Fast and GPT‑5 Thinking modes directly to your phone, under the same quota model. This means:

  • Conversations sync with your web or desktop chats

  • You can use your 1 daily GPT‑5 Thinking message from mobile

  • Upload screenshots or photos for analysis

  • Voice mode is occasionally available for hands-free chats

Once your quota is reached, the mobile app silently switches to GPT‑5 Mini, unless you subscribe to Plus. Still, it remains a powerful free companion for everyday AI tasks and brainstorming on the go.


Microsoft Copilot continues to offer unlimited GPT‑4-class chats without any subscription or time limits.

While Copilot does not include GPT‑5, it’s still a reliable free access point for high-quality GPT‑4o outputs. Users can access it via:

  • copilot.microsoft.com

  • Windows 11 taskbar or Copilot sidebar

  • Microsoft Edge browser sidebar

  • Copilot mobile apps (iOS and Android)

Once signed in with a Microsoft account, users get consistent access to GPT‑4 Turbo or GPT‑4o models, which are suitable for most summarization, writing, and planning tasks. If your GPT‑5 quota on ChatGPT is used up, Copilot serves as a strong fallback option.


Free education offers and grants still unlock temporary Plus access—including full GPT‑5 access.

In addition to new GPT‑5 access on the free tier, OpenAI continues to provide limited-time free trials and educational grants, which offer full ChatGPT Plus capabilities during the promo period. These include:


⬩ North American student offer (spring 2025)

For a limited window, verified students in the U.S. and Canada received 2 free months of ChatGPT Plus after confirming identity through SheerID. This gave them full access to GPT‑5 Thinking and Fast without limits.


⬩ India-wide education grant (announced August 2025)

As part of its "India-first Learning Accelerator," OpenAI donated 500,000 licenses of GPT‑4o or GPT‑5 to students and teachers in public schools and technical colleges. These licenses often include memory, image input, and long-context tools.


⬩ Other regional pilots

University programs in Brazil, UK library systems, and government-sponsored AI literacy projects across Africa have also given free temporary access to GPT‑5 as part of educational initiatives. While these are not open to everyone, it’s worth checking your institution's announcements regularly.


Browser extensions and wrappers labeled “ChatGPT for free” may misuse API keys or deliver outdated models.

While many Chrome extensions, Telegram bots, and GitHub clones advertise “free ChatGPT,” these often:

  • Require your own OpenAI API key, which bills you per token

  • Use older models like GPT‑3.5 or GPT‑4

  • Route your prompts through unverified third-party servers

  • Introduce security risks or unstable results

If your goal is to access GPT‑5 legally and safely, you should avoid unofficial wrappers and stick to OpenAI’s own tools or Microsoft’s Copilot.


Summary table of updated free access options for ChatGPT in September 2025

Method

Models Available

Quota / Limitations

Requires Sign-in

ChatGPT Free (web)

GPT‑5 Fast · GPT‑5 Thinking · GPT‑5 Mini

10 Fast messages / 5 hrs, 1 Thinking / day

✅

ChatGPT desktop (macOS, Windows)

Same as web

Same as web

✅

ChatGPT mobile app (iOS, Android)

Same as web

Same as web

✅

Microsoft Copilot

GPT‑4 Turbo / GPT‑4o

Unlimited messages, no GPT‑5

✅ Microsoft login

Student/teacher grants

GPT‑5 Fast + Thinking

Full access during grant period

✅ SheerID / ID

Chrome wrappers / extensions

Varies

Often uses your paid API key

❌ (⚠ risk)



With GPT‑5 now partially free, your AI workflow just became more powerful—without paying.

You can now use GPT‑5 Fast for everyday queries, GPT‑5 Thinking for deeper reasoning, and switch to Microsoft Copilot when limits kick in—all without subscribing. The experience may not be unlimited, but it is robust enough for writing, planning, image analysis, study help, and exploration.



____________

FOLLOW US FOR MORE.


DATA STUDIOS


bottom of page