OpenAI announced on Thursday that it is removing limits on text-based chats for all ChatGPT users, a move that comes as the platform surpassed 1 billion weekly active users. The change is powered by the new GPT-5.6 Luna model, which will become the default for Free and Go tier users, replacing GPT-5.5.
In addition to unlimited text chats, Free and Go users will get a new “Think” button that enables higher reasoning power for complex questions. The company said separate limits will still apply to files, images, voice, and image generation.
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What the update means for Plus and Pro subscribers
OpenAI is also rolling out changes for its paid tiers. Plus and Pro users will gain access to an upgraded GPT-5.6 Sol model, which the company says is better suited for quick tasks such as answering questions, web research, advice, planning, writing, and making decisions. The new model is designed to deliver more compact and reliable answers.
Notably, this version of GPT-5.6 Sol is separate from the one used for Codex and Work, which remains unchanged. Plus and Pro subscribers will also receive a “thinking slider” that lets them adjust how much effort the model puts into an answer, based on the complexity and number of steps involved in solving a query.
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Fewer factual errors, according to OpenAI’s internal tests
OpenAI said its internal evaluation found that, compared to GPT-5.5-Instant, factual errors were 62% less common for GPT-5.6 Luna and 68% less common for GPT-5.6 Sol. The company did not disclose the size or methodology of the evaluation, but the figures point to a continued focus on reliability as AI assistants become more widely used for everyday information.
The updated GPT-5.6 Sol is available to Plus and Pro users starting today. Free and Go users will see the new defaults arrive this week, with unlimited text chats and the Think button following next week.
Why this matters for the AI assistant market
The removal of text chat limits is a significant competitive move. OpenAI’s main rival, Google, has been integrating its Gemini assistant across Search, Android, and Workspace, while Anthropic’s Claude has gained traction among professional users. By making text chat unlimited at no cost, OpenAI is lowering the barrier for casual users and potentially converting more of them into paying subscribers over time.
The 1 billion weekly user milestone, which OpenAI confirmed earlier this year, reflects the rapid mainstream adoption of ChatGPT since its launch in late 2022. However, the company has faced pressure on costs, as running large language models at scale is expensive. The decision to keep separate limits on resource-intensive features like image and voice generation suggests OpenAI is balancing user experience with infrastructure costs.
For developers and businesses using ChatGPT for customer support, drafting, or research, the upgraded Sol model’s promise of more concise answers could reduce the need for manual editing. The thinking slider also gives power users finer control over response quality, a feature that may appeal to professionals who need consistent, well-reasoned outputs.
As the rollout progresses over the next week, users on all tiers should check their ChatGPT settings to see when the new models and features become active. OpenAI has not announced whether the unlimited text chat policy will extend to API access, which remains separately priced.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. The AI industry is volatile and subject to rapid change; readers should conduct their own research before making decisions based on this information.
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