I’ve been glued to ChatGPT for the reason that day it launched in November 2022.
From the harmless days of asking “inform me a joke” to now commanding “assist me automate this whole workflow,” we’ve come a great distance in three years, and so has the AI chatbot ecosystem.
Now it appears like we’re drowning in new AI chatbot choices. However regardless of the noise, I’ve saved coming again to ChatGPT to see if it might nonetheless maintain its crown.
Possibly it’s as a result of, for many people, ChatGPT feels private at this level, much less like a software, extra like a every day work companion. I’ve watched it develop up, evolving from the clumsy GPT-3.5 into right now’s reasoning powerhouse, GPT-5.2. I’ve seen options like internet search and “Deep Analysis” go from experiments to every day requirements. I’ve examined each button OpenAI has thrown at us, not in polished demos, however within the messy actuality of on a regular basis work.
I’ve used the free model. I’ve paid the $20 for ChatGPT Plus. And I’ve shaped some robust opinions. Right here’s my trustworthy ChatGPT assessment after 3 years of every day use, supported by 1,000+ G2 opinions.
TL;DR: My ChatGPT assessment
ChatGPT nonetheless earns its place on the high as essentially the most versatile AI assistant in the marketplace with a 4.7/5 G2 ranking. It has advanced right into a powerhouse for writing, coding, and deep analysis, with the paid model’s superior reasoning capabilities (GPT-5) providing a large improve for skilled workflows. Whereas hallucinations, privateness considerations, and efficiency hiccups stay, it’s nonetheless essentially the most reliable AI chatbot in 2026.
What’s ChatGPT? Key options
ChatGPT is an AI chatbot developed by OpenAI that makes use of giant language fashions to know prompts and generate human-like responses. In apply, it acts as a general-purpose assistant that may assist with writing, analysis, problem-solving, coding help, and on a regular basis productiveness duties.
As of 2026, ChatGPT helps textual content, picture, and voice interactions, permitting customers to research info, summarize content material, and deal with complicated requests in a conversational format throughout a variety of use instances throughout industries.
ChatGPT at a look on G2
| Metrics | G2 rating | Perception |
| G2 ranking | ⭐4.7/5 | Persistently ranked as a high AI chatbot primarily based on verified consumer opinions |
| Person adoption | 66% | Larger adoption fee than class common, indicating robust day-to-day utilization |
| Time to ROI | 6 months | Most customers report seeing measurable productiveness good points inside half a yr |
| Buyer section | SMB: 64% Mid-market: 25% Enterprise: 11% |
Strongest traction amongst small companies, with rising adoption in mid-market and enterprise groups |
| Ease of use | 96% satisfaction | Customers persistently reward the intuitive chat interface and minimal studying curve |
What are the important thing options of ChatGPT?
When ChatGPT launched in 2022, it was a easy textual content field: I typed a immediate, and it typed again. However now, it might now see, hear, converse, analyze recordsdata, and browse the dwell web.
Right here’s a breakdown of the core engine and options that outline the ChatGPT expertise in 2026.
- A number of LLM choices: Whereas the free tier runs on GPT 5.2 mannequin, Plus and different paid plans unlock the heavy hitters: GPT-5.2 Pondering, Professional, and entry to some legacy fashions. These fashions are constructed to “cause” — planning complicated duties and self-correcting, slightly than simply predicting textual content.
- True multimodality: It’s not text-only. You may generate pictures (through GPT Picture 1.5), create cinematic video clips (through Sora), and maintain real-time, emotional voice conversations with out ever switching modes.
- Deep Analysis: A step past easy looking out. It makes use of autonomous brokers to carry out multi-step analysis, cross-referencing sources to generate cited, structured stories.
- Net search: For fast solutions, it browses the dwell internet for real-time information, shares, and sports activities, appearing nearly like a direct substitute for Google.
- Canvas: A devoted split-screen workspace for writing and coding. It helps you to spotlight and edit particular sections of your work with out regenerating the whole response.
- Superior information evaluation: Add Excel, CSV, or PDF recordsdata, and ChatGPT acts as a junior analyst — writing and operating Python code to wash information, create charts, and uncover insights.
- Reminiscence: It remembers your preferences and venture particulars throughout totally different conversations, so you do not have to maintain repeating context.
- Agent mode: It does not simply discuss; it acts. In “Agent Mode,” ChatGPT can management a browser to carry out multi-step duties like filling out types, reserving journey, or purchasing, requiring solely your remaining approval.
- Integrations: It integrates straight with Google Drive, GitHub, OneDrive, Slack, HubSpot, and lots of different instruments. You may pull in dwell docs and spreadsheets for evaluation with out manually importing recordsdata.
How I examined and evaluated ChatGPT
This ChatGPT assessment is predicated on three years of every day use throughout each the free plan and ChatGPT Plus. I evaluated ChatGPT by integrating it into my precise workflow, utilizing it for dwell writing initiatives, deep analysis, coding help, and automation, slightly than counting on remoted, theoretical “immediate exams.”
To make sure my expertise wasn’t an outlier, I additionally analyzed patterns in a whole lot of consumer opinions on G2 and neighborhood boards to know the place my expertise aligned with the broader consensus and the place it didn’t.
My analysis targeted on three key metrics:
- Accuracy and reliability: How persistently it produced appropriate, usable outputs versus needing fact-checking.
- Reasoning depth: How properly it dealt with complicated logic and multi-step duties with out breaking down.
- Sensible usability: How simply it match right into a every day workflow, factoring in velocity, interface, and friction.
How ChatGPT performs in real-world duties: My expertise
Right here’s how ChatGPT really performs while you use it for actual work, not simply one-off prompts or demos.
1. Writing and modifying
That is the place I get essentially the most worth from ChatGPT. Earlier than AI, watching a clean Google Doc was usually the toughest a part of my day. However ChatGPT will get me began simply.
If I would like to put in writing a tough electronic mail to a consumer, draft a venture proposal, or provide you with 10 headline concepts, ChatGPT is unimaginable. It supplies construction, tone, and a place to begin.
The one catch is the “default AI voice” I typically encounter. It tends to overuse phrases like “unleash,” “delve,” and “tapestry,” making the output sound stiff and robotic.
Nevertheless, after I began offering clear directions on tone, asking for “conversational” or “direct” language, and mentioning the phrases to keep away from, the output was usually prepared to make use of on the primary go. I may even add this to my personalization and reminiscence tab in order that I don’t need to repeat it for each dialog.
Even when it requires modifying, treating ChatGPT as a rough-draft machine nonetheless cuts my writing time in half.
In fact, there’s Claude, which nails the human voice a lot better, and Gemini, which has improved quite a bit. However nonetheless, I maintain defaulting to ChatGPT as my AI writing assistant.
2. Coding
I’m a no-coder. However ChatGPT has helped me create instruments and write code that I may have by no means written in my life. If I ask it to put in writing a Python script to scrape headers from a URL checklist and save them to a CSV, debug a tough JavaScript loop, or create a responsive CSS structure, it nails it.
I’ve requested it to construct video games, a studying app for my toddler, and full code for web sites, touchdown pages, and it delivers precisely what I would like each time.
The most important beneficiaries I imagine are sometimes non-technical people like product managers, designers, founders, and entrepreneurs. When you’ve got an concept for a easy internet software or a touchdown web page however lack the talents to construct it from scratch, ChatGPT is your buddy.
That mentioned, it’s not good. ChatGPT can typically generate responses that sound extremely sure however aren’t totally correct. I’ve had instances the place it insisted damaged code was fastened when it wasn’t, and I had to make use of one other software to pinpoint the problem earlier than feeding that correction again into ChatGPT.
And after I evaluate it with different AI code turbines like Claude Code, the competitors is stiff. Even then, the worth is simple. ChatGPT turns me from somebody with an concept into somebody with a working prototype. For a non-developer, that shift alone is worthy.
3. Analysis and summarization
Summarizing stays this software’s absolute superpower. I can paste a 2,000-word article and ask for the gist in 100 phrases, and it delivers immediately. Nevertheless it’s extra than simply shrinking textual content. Even earlier than the massive updates, ChatGPT was my go-to for studying complicated ideas. I’ve discovered extra about AI structure and LLM utility from asking it conceptual questions than from some other supply.
When SearchGPT arrived, it was a large improve — lastly, real-time information. But when I’m trustworthy, it hasn’t utterly changed Google or Perplexity for me. It is not at all times as up-to-the-minute or complete as a Google seek for breaking information, and it might’t match Grok’s capability to tug prompt, uncooked reactions from X. For fast info, it’s first rate. However I nonetheless discover myself switching to different instruments after I want absolute real-time verification.
4. Deep analysis
Now, in case you drown in open browser tabs, whether or not you are a scholar doing a lit assessment or an analyst needing market tendencies by 2 PM, that is the place ChatGPT pays for itself.
Deep Analysis, which dropped again in February 2025, moved ChatGPT from being a sensible reader to an lively researcher. I can provide it a imprecise matter, reply its observe up questions, and step away whereas it browses the net, reads a number of sources, and compiles a complete, McKinsey-style report. It does the heavy lifting, turning what was once a two-day handbook slog right into a 20-minute process.
A couple of months into the GPT-5 period, I’ve seen a trade-off: velocity over depth. The newer fashions ship sooner, extra polished solutions, however they will really feel barely shallower until you intentionally sluggish them down with extra particular prompts and the output you want.
Even with that additional friction, although, the maths is straightforward: I might slightly spend 5 minutes refining a immediate than two days drowning in tabs. It’s not good, however it’s nonetheless essentially the most highly effective analysis assistant I’ve ever used.
5. Picture technology
With the combination of GPT-4o Native (changing the outdated DALL-E framework), ChatGPT turned one of many finest picture turbines out there, and with GPT Picture 1.5, it is grow to be even higher, in my opinion. Truthfully, as an alternative of looking for inventory pictures, I now ask ChatGPT to generate these for me.
The most important shift is that the pictures are literally usable. Three years again, in case you requested for a emblem that mentioned “store,” the AI would spit out “sop.” In the present day, I can ask ChatGPT to “mock up a touchdown web page for a espresso store referred to as ‘The Every day Grind’ with a ‘Purchase Now’ button, and the spelling is ideal. I exploit this consistently for fast slide deck belongings, easy infographics, social media photos, and naturally, memes.
Enhancing is equally frictionless. If one thing seems to be off, I simply say “change the background” or “add a CTA,” and it updates the picture with out transforming the whole immediate.
This characteristic is a specific goldmine for entrepreneurs and small enterprise homeowners. It successfully unlocks a “zero-budget” photoshoot. You may add a boring picture of your product, like a candle or a espresso bag, and inform ChatGPT to position it on a country desk with morning daylight.
6. Information evaluation
When you’ve got ever spent an hour combating with an Excel components solely to get a #VALUE! error, that is for you. ChatGPT modified that equation in a single day by turning “information evaluation” right into a plain English dialog.
The workflow is deceptively easy: I add a messy CSV file, say, a yr’s price of visitors information or a chaotic export from a survey software, and easily ask, “Clear this up and inform me what the primary tendencies are.” In seconds, it writes and runs its personal Python code to wash the info, deal with lacking values, and output a clear abstract. It handles the grunt work of information cleansing that often eats up half my morning.
That is super-helpful for managers, consultants, and operations leads who want solutions, not simply spreadsheets. You may add your uncooked information and ask particular, strategic questions like, “Which area had the very best revenue margin variance in This fall?” or “Graph the connection between group headcount and output.” It does not simply offer you a desk; it generates precise charts, bar graphs, scatter plots, and heatmaps.
I may not drop the chart straight in my deck or one thing, nevertheless it’s undoubtedly my start line, and for 90% of advert hoc information duties, ChatGPT does the job.
7. Voice chat
Voice assistants have been round for years, however they have been by no means one thing I relied on for actual work. ChatGPT’s Voice Mode is the primary time that’s modified.
Now I don’t use Voice Mode every single day, nevertheless it’s carved out a selected, high-value area of interest in my workflow: rehearsal. It’s particularly efficient for getting ready for high-stakes conversations like practising a wage negotiation, warming up for an interview, or pressure-testing find out how to get venture buy-in from skeptical management. I’ve even discovered it helpful for private conditions, appearing as a personal sounding board after I have to vent or untangle complicated ideas out loud.
That mentioned, it may be overly agreeable by default and tends to leap within the second I pause after I use the Superior Voice Mode. Except I explicitly inform it to “be important,” “play satan’s advocate,” or “push again,” it might really feel extra like a cheerleader than a challenger. When you set these floor guidelines, although, it turns into a strong option to stress-test arguments in a secure, low-risk setting earlier than having the actual dialog.
Different duties I’ve tried with ChatGPT
Listed below are the opposite duties I’ve explored on ChatGPT.
- Agent Mode: I’ve used Agent Mode for duties like updating spreadsheets, creating journey plans, and sending personalised messages. When it really works, it’s spectacular — however it might sometimes get caught in loops or want handbook nudging to complete a process cleanly.
- Integrations: With the ability to reference my Google Drive recordsdata, previous chats, and ongoing initiatives is a game-changer. I can ask ChatGPT to assessment paperwork, plan subsequent steps, or proceed work with out re-uploading context. Different integrations are helpful too, however Drive entry is the one I depend on most.
- Picture understanding and visible suggestions: I’ve used ChatGPT to research screenshots, diagrams, and visuals — whether or not that’s debugging a UI challenge or getting suggestions on a design. It’s not a substitute for a designer, nevertheless it’s surprisingly useful for fast checks.
- Customized GPTs: I’ve examined Customized GPTs tailor-made to particular duties and kinds, which could be useful for repetitive workflows. They undoubtedly take a while constructing, however they scale back setup time after I need constant outputs with out re-explaining directions.
What are the professionals and cons of ChatGPT (Primarily based on my expertise and G2 opinions)
To stability my very own long-term expertise, I checked out recurring themes in G2 opinions. Right here’s how ChatGPT stacks up in apply, execs and cons included.
Execs of ChatGPT: What do G2 customers like?
The next are the areas the place ChatGPT delivers steady worth in keeping with 1000+ customers.
- Versatility: It’s my coder, my illustrator, my information analyst, and my author multi function tab. The “all-in-one” ecosystem is tough to beat.
- Highly effective fashions: The paid plans offer you entry to the actual “mind” of the operation (like GPT-5.2 Pondering, Professional). After I throw complicated, multi-step prompts at it, it does not simply guess—it breaks down the logic and solves it.
- Surprisingly low studying curve: Even though OpenAI retains stuffing it with new options, it’s nonetheless useless easy to make use of. You do not want a handbook to determine it out. That ease reveals up in G2 information too, the place ChatGPT scores extremely for ease of use and setup (96%), one thing I’ve felt firsthand because the product has grown extra complicated with out turning into more durable to make use of.
- The options: Options like Deep Analysis, internet search, Voice Mode, and picture technology add critical worth. I discover myself utilizing the whole toolkit, not simply the chat.
What G2 customers like about ChatGPT:
“I exploit ChatGPT for lots of issues like analysis, emails, rephrasing content material, producing recordsdata, coding, and integrating with instruments. I discover it extremely useful for producing C# and JS code as per my necessities. ChatGPT assists me with analysis associated to complicated subjects, and never simply from a developer’s perspective—it guides me on well being and something I ask like a good friend. I respect that its responses are easy, structured, and pleasant. The voice mode is especially particular since we will discuss with it in any language, making it extremely versatile. For instance, if I do not know English however wish to talk with somebody whose native language is English, the voice mode can assist. It permits me to talk and ask questions without having to kind. The preliminary setup is simple because it’s already arrange, and the API is on the market to be used in any software.”
– ChatGPT assessment, Shashank S.
Cons of ChatGPT: What do G2 customers dislike?
That mentioned, each my expertise and G2 suggestions level to some recurring limitations price protecting in thoughts.
- It nonetheless hallucinates: Even with the superior fashions, I nonetheless catch it making issues up. You can not blindly belief it; you must confirm. In truth, 5% of G2 opinions explicitly point out accuracy points with ChatGPT.
- Reminiscence: The reminiscence characteristic is promising, however in apply, it might really feel a bit inconsistent. Customers usually point out that ChatGPT doesn’t at all times bear in mind preferences or prior context as reliably as they count on, which limits how helpful the characteristic feels each day.
- Utilization limits: The free and lower-cost plans include tighter message limits, slower efficiency, and restricted entry to superior fashions and options. Practically 8% of G2 reviewers flag ChatGPT’s utilization limits as what they dislike. And when servers are beneath heavy load, or when utilizing essentially the most superior fashions, ChatGPT can really feel sluggish.
- Privateness: Customers share considerations about information privateness, particularly when utilizing ChatGPT for work-related or delicate duties. Whereas OpenAI has revealed documentation on how information is dealt with, some questions stay. With advertisements being launched within the Free and Go tiers, customers might grow to be much more attentive to how their information is dealt with
What G2 customers dislike about ChatGPT:
“Whereas ChatGPT could be very efficient, responses can sometimes require handbook verification, particularly for extremely particular or delicate info. Advanced or area of interest queries typically want clearer prompts to get optimum outcomes. Superior options are depending on subscription tiers, which can not swimsuit all customers. Nevertheless, these limitations are manageable with correct utilization.”
– ChatGPT assessment, Manish B.
ChatGPT pricing: How a lot does ChatGPT value?
OpenAI’s pricing construction has gotten much more crowded in 2026. What was once a easy ‘Free vs. Paid’ alternative has expanded into 4 distinct tiers, with the largest variations displaying up in mannequin entry, reasoning energy, and utilization limits.
| Plan | Beginning worth | Who it’s finest for | What it contains |
| Free | $0/month | Informal use, fundamental duties | Primary entry to GPT-5.2, restricted messages/uploads, slower picture technology, restricted reminiscence and context, and deep analysis. Embody advertisements (presently in check within the US) |
| Go | $8/month | Frequent customers who need greater than free | Expanded GPT-5.2 entry, extra messages/uploads, longer reminiscence. Could embody advertisements. |
| Plus | $20/month | Common customers and creators | Superior reasoning fashions, expanded messages/uploads, higher picture + deep analysis instruments, initiatives, duties, and customized GPTs, Codex agent and Sora video technology and early entry to new options |
| Professional | ~$200/month | Energy customers for professional workflows | Professional-level GPT-5.2 fashions, limitless interactions, deeper reasoning, sooner processing |
| Enterprise | ~$25/consumer/month (billed yearly) | Groups and rising companies | Safe workspace, admin controls, 60+ apps & information integrations, compliance options |
| Enterprise | Customized pricing | Giant organizations | Enterprise safety, prolonged context, admin instruments, devoted help |
Which plan is best for you?
I’ve spent a while digging by the brand new tiers, and I feel the only option actually is determined by how you propose to make use of it every single day. Right here’s my advice:
- For casuals: Persist with Free in case you don’t thoughts advertisements, or seize Go ($8) to take away message caps on a finances.
- For energy customers: Plus ($20) stays one of the best worth, providing important entry to Sora video and superior Codex brokers.
- For specialists: Solely select Professional ($200) in case your workflow requires 24/7 high-compute reasoning and 0 fee limits.
- For groups: Enterprise is the neatest transfer for safe collaboration and integrating firm information.
If you’re on the fence about getting the ChatGPT subscription, learn my in-depth assessment on whether or not ChatGPT Plus is price it.
Who’s ChatGPT finest for, primarily based on G2 Information?
My expertise factors to a transparent “candy spot” for who will get essentially the most worth out of this software. Curiously, my private observations align nearly completely with G2 Information from hundreds of verified opinions.
Based on the numbers, the heaviest customers come from info Ttechnology, software program, and advertising and marketing industries. Right here is who must be utilizing ChatGPT proper now:
| Who ought to use ChatGPT? | Why | G2 perception |
| Writers and entrepreneurs | Hurries up drafting, modifying, headlines, and content material planning throughout codecs | Opinions usually spotlight time saved on content material creation and concept technology as a core profit |
| Software program builders and engineers | Helps generate code, clarify logic, troubleshoot bugs, and prototype scripts | Many reviewers use ChatGPT for C#/JS, analysis assist, and coding help — cited as a productiveness booster. |
| Product managers and non-technical builders | Permits turning concepts into prototypes or automation with out deep technical abilities | G2 reviewers point out utilizing it to generate structured outputs (like specs, plans, scripts) once they don’t code every day. |
| Consultants, analysts, and researchers | Synthesizes stories, summarizes docs, and turns messy information/notes into structured outputs | Deep Analysis and summarization are repeatedly referred to as out as differentiators in opinions. |
| Enterprise Ops and data staff | Helpful for fast solutions, templates, planning, and on a regular basis productiveness duties | Many reviewers cite ease of use and process breadth (emails, summaries, planning) as causes they depend on ChatGPT every day. |
| Groups on the lookout for an all-in-one AI assistant | Reduces the necessity for a number of specialised instruments, centralizing AI help | G2 sentiment reveals folks respect not having to change between separate writing, search, code, and analysis instruments. |
It’s clear that whereas nearly anybody can use ChatGPT, the actual winners are the professionals who use it as a ‘pressure multiplier’ to skip the blank-page part and get straight to the ultimate polish.”
Curious how different AI chatbots stack up in opposition to ChatGPT?
Take a look at these head-to-head battles:
Continuously Requested Questions (FAQ): Is it price utilizing ChatGPT?
Obtained extra questions? G2 has the solutions.
Q. Is ChatGPT free or paid?
ChatGPT provides a free plan with fundamental performance, together with paid plans like Go ($8/month), Plus ($20/month), Professional (~$200/month), and business-focused tiers. Paid plans unlock extra superior fashions, increased limits, and extra options.
Q. Is ChatGPT really good?
Sure. ChatGPT has a 4.7/5 ranking on G2 and is rated #1 AI chatbot primarily based on the newest grid report. It is among the most succesful and versatile AI assistants out there and excels at writing, analysis, coding assist, and on a regular basis productiveness — particularly in paid tiers.
Q. Is ChatGPT secure to make use of?
ChatGPT is mostly secure for on a regular basis duties, nevertheless it shouldn’t be handled as a supply of absolute fact or used to deal with extremely delicate information with out warning. Outputs must be reviewed, particularly for important or regulated work.
Q. Is there any threat in utilizing ChatGPT?
The primary dangers are over-reliance, occasional hallucinations, and privateness considerations associated to reminiscence and information dealing with. These dangers are manageable with verification, clear prompts, and conscious use of delicate info.
Q. Is ChatGPT Go price it?
ChatGPT Go for $8 monthly is smart in case you’ve outgrown the free plan however don’t want Plus-level options but. It’s finest for frequent customers who need increased limits and higher efficiency with out paying $20 a month.
Q. Is the $200/month ChatGPT Professional plan price it?
For private use, no. ChatGPT Professional is designed for energy customers and groups operating heavy, superior workflows that require most efficiency and limitless entry. For on a regular basis skilled use, Plus is often adequate.
Q. What are the negatives of ChatGPT?
ChatGPT can hallucinate, present shallow solutions with out cautious prompting, decelerate throughout peak utilization, and lift privateness questions round reminiscence and advertisements in decrease tiers. It’s highly effective — however not flawless.
My remaining verdict: Is ChatGPT nonetheless price utilizing in 2026?
ChatGPT is my default AI assistant — and that hasn’t occurred by chance. Regardless of an more and more crowded AI panorama, it continues to face out for one easy cause: it does extra issues properly than nearly some other software I’ve tried.
ChatGPT isn’t good, and there are different AI chatbots which might be higher at particular duties, for instance, MidJourney and Nano Banana Professional with pictures, Perplexity with sources, Gemini with up-to-date info, and Claude for coding. However ChatGPT is the one software that does all of these issues properly sufficient to be indispensable.
For informal customers, the free plan is a strong start line. For anybody utilizing ChatGPT frequently for skilled work, ChatGPT Plus is the place the software actually shines. The upper tiers make sense just for energy customers or groups with demanding, large-scale workflows.
The underside line: ChatGPT will not be one of the best software for each single process, nevertheless it’s nonetheless essentially the most dependable, versatile AI assistant out there in 2026. And for me, that’s what retains it open in a browser tab each single day.
Nonetheless exploring your choices? Take a look at G2’s breakdown of free AI chatbots to see how ChatGPT compares to free instruments primarily based on actual consumer opinions.
