OpenAI debuts ChatGPT plan under $5 in India
▼ Summary
– OpenAI launched ChatGPT GO in India, a cheaper subscription plan priced at ₹399/month ($4.60), significantly lower than the ₹1,999/month Plus Plan.
– The plan offers 10x higher message limits, image generations, and file uploads compared to the free tier, along with better memory retention for personalized responses.
– OpenAI enabled local currency pricing and UPI payments in India, aiming to boost accessibility and subscription conversions.
– India leads in ChatGPT app downloads (29 million in 90 days), but revenue remains low ($3.6 million), prompting OpenAI’s affordability push.
– Other AI firms like Perplexity and Google have also introduced free or discounted plans in India to tap into its 850M+ internet users.
OpenAI has introduced a budget-friendly ChatGPT subscription tier specifically for the Indian market, priced at just ₹399 per month ($4.60). This new offering, called ChatGPT GO, represents a significant price drop compared to the existing Plus Plan, which costs ₹1,999 ($23) monthly. The move aligns with OpenAI’s strategy to make AI tools more accessible in one of the world’s fastest-growing tech markets.
Alongside the launch, the company has enabled local currency payments and integrated UPI (Unified Payments Interface), India’s widely used digital payment system. Nick Turley, OpenAI’s VP and head of ChatGPT, emphasized that the GO plan provides 10 times more messages, image generations, and file uploads compared to the free version. Additionally, users will benefit from enhanced memory retention, allowing for more personalized interactions.
Turley shared the announcement on social media, highlighting India as the first market to receive this tier. “Affordability has been a major request from users, and we’re starting with India to gather feedback before expanding further,” he stated. The decision follows earlier leaks by Tibor Blaho, a software engineer known for accurately predicting AI product updates.
India has emerged as a critical market for OpenAI, with over 29 million ChatGPT app downloads in the past three months alone, according to AppFigures. Despite this high demand, revenue from Indian users remains relatively low at $3.6 million during the same period. The introduction of a lower-cost plan could help boost paid subscriptions significantly.
Other AI firms are also targeting India’s vast internet user base of 850 million. Perplexity recently partnered with Airtel to offer free Pro subscriptions, while Google provided Indian students with a complimentary AI Pro plan for a year. OpenAI’s approach focuses on affordability rather than free access, potentially driving higher conversion rates among cost-conscious consumers.
With 700 million weekly users globally, ChatGPT continues to expand its reach. The recent rollout of an upgraded image generator has further fueled adoption in India. By tailoring pricing and payment options to local preferences, OpenAI aims to solidify its position in a market where affordability often dictates tech adoption.
(Source: TechCrunch)
