OpenAI is making one of its powerful tools, called Deep Research, more available to the public.
This tool was first introduced in February, but only people paying for the top-tier ChatGPT Pro plan could use it.
Now, OpenAI is expanding access to include users on the Plus and Team plans, and even free users, although free users will get a simpler version.
For those wondering what Deep Research is: It’s a feature built into ChatGPT that helps users quickly gather detailed information and create comprehensive reports.
It’s powered by OpenAI’s advanced o3 model, which means it can understand and organize complex data in a way that’s useful and easy to follow.
OpenAI says users have been using it for all kinds of things, like researching college options, analyzing the market for a business idea, planning a skincare routine, or figuring out where to live.
To make it more accessible and affordable, OpenAI created a lighter version of Deep Research. This version runs on a newer, more efficient model called o4-mini.
Even though it’s simpler and the answers it gives are shorter, OpenAI says it’s nearly as intelligent and delivers the same level of insight and quality.
The lightweight version of deep research is powered by a version of OpenAI o4-mini and is nearly as intelligent as the deep research people already know and love, while being significantly cheaper to serve.Responses will typically be shorter while maintaining the depth and… pic.twitter.com/H2UD5GThVj— OpenAI (@OpenAI) April 24, 2025
Depending on your ChatGPT plan, there are limits to how often you can use Deep Research:
Free users get 5 tasks per month (only the lightweight version).
Plus and team users can use the full version 10 times and the lightweight version 15 times each month.
Pro users get the most access, with 125 tasks for both versions.
Enterprise users get 10 full-version tasks per month.
Once a user uses up their full-version limit, ChatGPT will automatically switch to the lighter version, so you can keep going without being cut off.
Also, starting next week, Enterprise and education-focused users will gain access to this feature too.
What do you think about Deep Research becoming a free feature? Will you be using it? Tell us below in the comments, or reach out to us via our Twitter or Facebook.
