The free ChatGPT app is set to enhance user experience with a new feature called Deep Research, which will allow users to access a limited version of this analysis tool each month. Initially launched in February, Deep Research is designed to provide in-depth reports and analyses at a speed that surpasses traditional research methods.
This feature is already available to subscribers of ChatGPT Plus, Team, and Pro plans. Now, users of the free app can benefit from a lightweight version of Deep Research, powered by OpenAI’s o4-mini model.
This adaptation is designed to deliver responses that are “nearly as intelligent” as the full version while being more cost-effective for OpenAI. Although the lightweight version produces shorter responses, it retains the same depth and quality as its more comprehensive counterpart.
Deep Research is capable of synthesizing and analyzing data from numerous online sources, making it an invaluable tool for tasks such as recommending cars, major appliances, or even new televisions. Additionally, it serves well for generating market analyses, finding housing options, or aiding in college selection.
Free users of the ChatGPT app will be limited to five tasks per month using the lightweight version. However, it is anticipated that this limit may increase in the future.
For those subscribed to Plus and Team plans, the task limits are set at ten for the full version and fifteen for the lightweight version. Pro users can conduct up to 125 tasks on both versions, while Enterprise users have a cap of 10 tasks for the full version.
Once users reach their limits for the full version, they will automatically transition to the lightweight version to ensure uninterrupted access. As OpenAI introduces this new feature, EDU and Enterprise users will begin utilizing Deep Research next week.
In a similar vein, Google’s GeminiAI feature also offers a comparable service for paying members, aiming to deliver rapid analyses that streamline extensive research endeavors.