“The future belongs to those who prepare for it today.” — Malcolm X
AI chatbots have become an essential tool in our daily lives, but when it comes to choosing the best one, things get tricky. Is ChatGPT 4 worth the $20 monthly fee, especially when free options like Microsoft Copilot also use OpenAI’s technology? While both offer access to powerful AI, they don’t necessarily perform the same way. Let’s break it down and see if ChatGPT 4 truly delivers value for money.
What Sets ChatGPT 4 Apart?
ChatGPT 4 is OpenAI’s most advanced model available to the public, offering improved comprehension, more nuanced responses, and fewer biases compared to its free predecessor, ChatGPT 3.5. From my experience, this model feels sharper and more articulate. ChatGPT 3.5 often delivers generic answers, while ChatGPT 4 seems to grasp context better and respond more like an actual expert.
Performance vs. Free Alternatives
The biggest distinction between ChatGPT 4 and competitors like Microsoft Copilot’s GPT-4 Turbo lies in the balance between speed and depth. ChatGPT 4 focuses on thoughtful, well-structured answers, whereas GPT-4 Turbo prioritizes fast responses, sometimes at the cost of detail. If you’re after quick but shallow results, Copilot might be enough, but for complex queries requiring deeper analysis, ChatGPT 4 is the better pick.
That said, ChatGPT 4 has one major shortcoming: it doesn’t have real-time internet access. Its knowledge stops at August 2023, meaning it can’t offer insights on recent events, new tech gadgets, or breaking news. If staying up to date is a priority, other AI tools with internet access might suit you better.
Real-World Testing: How Well Does ChatGPT 4 Perform?
Shopping Recommendations
If you’re hunting for product advice, ChatGPT 4 can be helpful—but only for items released before August 2023. When I asked it to compare the LG OLED G3 vs. G4, it made safe guesses like, “The G4 might have improved processing and audio.” That’s not particularly useful when the G4 is already on the market. For real-time product recommendations, tools like Microsoft Copilot, Google Gemini, Perplexity AI, or DeepSeek AI are better choices.
Cooking & Recipes
When it comes to cooking, ChatGPT 4 does a decent job—but it lacks depth. It can generate basic recipes, but it tends to overlook essential cultural ingredients. For instance, in chicken tikka masala marinade, it left out kasuri methi and chaat masala, which are key to an authentic taste. However, if you’re after something creative, like a Thai-inspired tres leches cake, it delivers interesting fusion ideas with coconut milk, lemongrass, and chili peppers.
Summarizing Articles
Many AI chatbots struggle with summaries, often missing key insights. When I tested ChatGPT 4 on an article about AI’s role at CES 2024, it stood out from the competition by acknowledging expert skepticism rather than just listing flashy product announcements. Unlike ChatGPT 3.5, it no longer suffers from character limits, making it great for digesting long-form content.
Travel Planning
For travel recommendations, ChatGPT 4 does well—most of the time. When I asked for a 3-day Columbus, Ohio itinerary, it included some solid picks like Fox in the Snow Cafe, The Pearl, and Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, places that other AI chatbots often miss. However, it’s not perfect. When I requested a Bushwick (Brooklyn) itinerary, it suggested Greenpoint cafes—about a 30-minute train ride away. While ChatGPT 4 is helpful for general trip planning, it’s not always geographically precise.
Where ChatGPT 4 Excels: Complex Thinking & Synthesis
The real magic of ChatGPT 4 is in its ability to think through complicated topics.
Deep Discussions & Philosophy
When I threw dense philosophical questions at ChatGPT 4, it took a methodical, tutor-like approach—defining key concepts, breaking down the argument, and synthesizing different perspectives before delivering a well-rounded answer. This is where it outshines free AI chatbots. Instead of just listing facts, it reasons through complex topics like a skilled analyst.
Is ChatGPT 4 Worth $20 a Month?
It depends on how you use AI.
- If you just need AI for basic tasks like emails, summaries, or simple research, free versions like ChatGPT 3.5 or Microsoft Copilot should be enough.
- If you want real-time information, product comparisons, or up-to-date news, then an AI chatbot with web access, like Microsoft Copilot or DeepSeek AI, is a better choice.
- But if you’re looking for deeper analysis, structured thought processes, and fewer biases, ChatGPT 4 is worth the investment. It’s the closest thing to having an AI-powered expert at your fingertips.
At its best, it feels like an intelligent assistant who genuinely understands what you’re asking, rather than just pulling pre-written facts from a database. While it won’t replace human expertise, it’s an impressive tool for anyone needing thoughtful, well-reasoned answers.
Final Verdict
ChatGPT 4 isn’t the fastest or the most up-to-date AI chatbot, but it is the smartest. If depth and accuracy matter more than speed, the $20 subscription is a worthwhile investment. The real question to ask yourself is: how often do you find yourself needing deeper, more structured responses? If you frequently require detailed insights or complex problem-solving, then ChatGPT 4 will feel like a game-changer. However, if your AI usage is mostly for quick fact-checking, casual conversation, or short summaries, the free version or other alternatives might be sufficient.
Ultimately, it is an impressive leap forward in AI reasoning and synthesis, and for those who need an AI that thinks rather than just responds, it’s well worth considering. But if you’re just dipping your toes into AI chatbots, you might not notice the difference enough to justify the cost.
