OpenAI to Raise ChatGPT Price to $44 by 2029

ChatGPT users may see a price increase in the coming years, according to a report from The New York Times. OpenAI is reportedly planning to raise the cost of its ChatGPT Plus subscription from $20 to $22 per month by the end of the year, with a more significant increase expected over the next five years. By 2029, the price of ChatGPT Plus could reach $44 per month.

Financial Pressures Drive Price Increases

The decision to raise prices reflects mounting pressure on OpenAI from its investors, as the company works to narrow its financial losses. Despite generating monthly revenue of $300 million as of August, OpenAI is projected to lose approximately $5 billion this year. Key factors driving these losses include high expenditures on staffing, office space, and AI training infrastructure. At one point, ChatGPT alone was costing the company $700,000 per day.

Although OpenAI expects to bring in $3.7 billion in annual sales this year and projects $11.6 billion in revenue for next year, it remains significantly in the red. To mitigate these losses, the company is reportedly seeking to raise $7 billion in external funding, which would value OpenAI at $150 billion—comparable to major corporations like Goldman Sachs, Uber, and AT&T.

Potential Backlash from Users

Despite ChatGPT’s current 10 million paying subscribers, OpenAI could face backlash if it increases prices too rapidly. Surveys indicate that some users already feel the current price of $20 per month is too high. The company risks alienating its customer base if it pushes subscription costs beyond what users are willing to pay.

Balancing Price Hikes with New Features

Like many digital subscription services, ChatGPT Plus appears to be on a path toward regular price increases. However, these hikes may come with added value, as OpenAI is expected to roll out new features and updated AI models alongside the higher subscription fees.