Since the release of GPT-5.2 in December 2025, the demand for ChatGPT Plus has soared. With over 10 million users worldwide, this number continues to rise. As a flagship product of OpenAI, ChatGPT Plus offers users advanced reasoning, content generation, analytical document creation, and much more. However, the $20 per month subscription is still a barrier for many users.
The free version of ChatGPT is limited, especially for power users. It lacks advanced features, model access, and customization options that ChatGPT Plus provides. Fortunately, there are legitimate ways to access ChatGPT Plus for free, and AIPURE has researched and tested these methods to help you make the most of them.
ChatGPT Free vs ChatGPT Plus: What's the Real Difference?
Before looking into ways to access ChatGPT Plus for free, let’s understand the differences between the free and paid versions.
What the Free Version Offers
The free version provides limited functionality for casual users:
- Up to 10 GPT-5.2 messages every 5 hours
- Automatic downgrade to GPT-5.2 mini after message limits are reached
- Limited access to Thinking Mode, controlled by system routing
- Slower response times during peak hours
- Basic image generation, with a limit of 2-3 images per day
For basic use, this is often sufficient, but for more complex tasks like content creation, research, or coding, these limitations can be frustrating.
What ChatGPT Plus Unlocks
ChatGPT Plus removes nearly all restrictions:
- 160 GPT-5.2 messages every 3 hours
- Manual switching between Instant and Thinking modes
- Advanced reasoning control (Standard vs. Extended)
- Full access to Canvas, Custom GPTs, Agents, and Advanced Voice
- Spreadsheet and presentation generation
- Priority response speed during high traffic
- Access to Sora video generation
These features are designed for professional and power users who require more than the free version can offer.
ChatGPT Free vs ChatGPT Plus Comparison Table
| Feature | Free | Plus ($20/month) |
| Default Model | GPT-5.2 mini (after cap) | GPT-5.2 full |
| Message Limit | 10 / 5 hours | 160 / 3 hours |
| Thinking Mode | Limited, automatic | Manual + Extended |
| Model Switching | No | Yes |
| Response Speed | Often throttled | Priority access |
| Image Generation | Very limited | Up to 50 / 3 hours |
| Spreadsheets & Slides | Not available | Available |
| Agents & Custom GPTs | Not available | Available |
| Sora Video | Not available | Available |
This comparison shows why many users find ChatGPT Plus a necessity for their more demanding tasks.
∘₊✧──꒰4 Secure Ways to Get ChatGPT Plus for Free in 2026꒱──✧₊∘
🔥 Method 1: OpenAI Invitation Trials | Official Way to Get ChatGPT Plus for Free
While OpenAI does not offer a universal free trial for ChatGPT Plus, there are official, legitimate, and low-risk methods available for users to experience Plus-level features. Below are the verified options compiled by AIPURE for safe access to ChatGPT Plus:
✅️ 1. Get ChatGPT Plus Free Trial via the ChatGPT Mobile App (iOS and Android)
OpenAI randomly offers ChatGPT Plus free trials through the official ChatGPT mobile app for both iOS and Android users. To get a short-term trial (usually 7 days), simply download the ChatGPT app from the following platforms:
- iOS (Apple App Store)
Apple App Store | https://apps.apple.com/us/app/chatgpt/id6448311069
- Android (Google Play & APKPure)
Google Play | https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.openai.chatgpt
APKPure | https://apkpure.com/chatgpt/com.openai.chatgpt
⚠️Note: Reinstalling the app or switching devices will not increase your chances of receiving the free trial.
✅️ 2. Official Account Free Trial Offers (Random Drops)
Occasionally, OpenAI conducts internal tests and offers a free ChatGPT Plus trial to certain accounts. How can you check if your account is eligible? Simply:
- Open ChatGPT.
- Go to Settings → My Plan.
- Look for the free trial option.
If you don’t see the trial option, your account is not part of the current test. These offers are not publicly announced and may disappear at any time.
✅️ 3. Free Trial via Invitation Link
OpenAI sometimes provides exclusive opportunities to get ChatGPT Plus for free via special invitations. If you know someone who already subscribes to ChatGPT Plus, congratulations! You’ve taken the first step. Then you’ll need to:
- Confirm if your friend can generate an invitation link (check for the “Invite Friends” option in the ChatGPT sidebar).
- If available, ask your friend to send you a limited-time invitation link.
- You’ll find the invitation link in your email (usually valid for 48 hours), and you can start enjoying 7-14 days of full Plus access.
⚠️ Important Notes for ChatGPT Plus Invitation Link Senders:
- Each invitation link can only be used once.
- Senders can generate a limited number of links.
- Links have a fixed expiration period set by OpenAI.
⚠️ Important Notes for ChatGPT Plus Invitees:
- Only new OpenAI users or existing free-tier users can accept an invite.
- A valid credit card is required during activation.
- OpenAI will send an email reminder before transitioning to a paid subscription.
- You can cancel anytime before the billing starts.
✅️ 4. Regional Promotions and Limited-Time Tests
OpenAI occasionally runs regional pricing tests and short-term promotional trials in specific countries. These tests are not publicly announced and are limited to a small group of users. The offer may appear and disappear without prior notification.
How can you check if you're one of the lucky few in these “test regions”? Simply:
- Open ChatGPT.
- Go to Settings → My Plan.
- Look for any promotional details.
⚠️ Note: Due to VAT and local regulations, the price of ChatGPT Plus may vary by country or region, even for paid subscriptions.
👉 AIPURE Important Reminder
- Any websites claiming to sell or distribute free ChatGPT Plus codes outside of the methods listed above are not affiliated with OpenAI and are considered unsafe. Exercise caution when visiting such sites.
- As a leading aggregator in the AI tools space, AIPURE strongly advises you to only use official OpenAI methods to avoid account bans, data breaches, or payment risks.
🔥 Method 2: Student and Educational Offers
If you are a student, you might get ChatGPT Plus free for a short time. OpenAI(https://openai.com/blog) works with colleges and universities to help students learn about new technology. These offers let you use advanced AI tools without paying at first.
Who Qualifies
You must follow certain rules to get the student offer. Most deals are for college students in the United States and Canada. You need to show you are a student at a real school. This offer does not work with mobile subscriptions or EDU/Pro plans.
Here is a table with the main details of the student offer:
| Detail | Information |
| Eligibility | Verified college students in the U.S. and Canada |
| Offer Duration | Two months of ChatGPT Plus for free |
| Promotion Period | Available between March 31, 2025, and May 31, 2025 |
| Verification Method | Must verify student status through SheerID |
| Post-Promotion Subscription Rate | Standard ChatGPT Plus rates apply after the two free months unless canceled |
| Restrictions | Cannot be combined with mobile subscriptions or EDU/Pro plans |
You should check if your school is part of the program. For example, the California State University (CSU) system joined OpenAI to help students. CSU has 23 campuses and about 460,000 students. This is the biggest ChatGPT program for education in the country.
- California State University (CSU) system
- 23 campuses included
- About 460,000 students served
💡 Tip: Always ask your school’s tech office or look at OpenAI’s website for the newest student offers.
How to Apply
You need to do a few things to get ChatGPT Plus free as a student. Go to chatgpt.com/students to start. The site will ask you to prove you are a student using SheerID. Most students use their school email that ends in .edu or something similar. If you do not have a school email, you can upload other papers. These can be your student ID card, enrollment letter, class schedule, or tuition receipt.
The check usually finishes fast. If you use different documents, you might wait longer for someone to look at them. After you finish, you get ChatGPT Plus free for two months. When the offer ends, you pay the regular price unless you cancel.
⚠️ Note: You must finish all steps and use real documents. If you do not qualify, you cannot get the student offer.
🔥 Method 3: U.S. Military Verification | Free ChatGPT Plus for One Full Year
One of the most valuable and stable free access programs in 2026 is available through U.S. military verification.
OpenAI participates in verified government and defense-related benefit programs that allow active-duty service members, reservists, veterans, and select DoD-affiliated personnel to receive up to 12 months of ChatGPT Plus at no cost.
How it works:
- Users verify their identity through official military verification providers (such as ID.me)
- Once verified, eligible users receive ChatGPT Plus benefits automatically or via redemption
Military verification platforms are widely used across U.S. government services (https://www.defense.gov, https://www.id.me).
Why this matters:
Unlike short trials, this method offers long-term, uninterrupted Plus access, making it the most reliable free option currently available.
⚠️ Note: While military verification offers the longest free access, it’s obviously limited to a specific group.
🔥 Method 4: Rappi Pro Black Offer
You can get ChatGPT Plus free with the Rappi Pro Black deal. This offer is well-known in Latin America, mostly in Peru. If you join Rappi Pro Black, you get a promo code for ChatGPT Plus. You must do certain things to get and use this offer.
Eligibility for Rappi Pro Black
To get the Rappi Pro Black ChatGPT Plus deal, you need:
- A phone or tablet with the Rappi app from the Play Store or App Store.
- Surfshark VPN set to Peru.
- A new ChatGPT account.
- $1 or $2 to start the trial.
Pick Peru as your country in the Rappi app. This deal works best for people who never had ChatGPT Plus before.
How to Redeem the Offer
Here are the steps to get your ChatGPT Plus free trial with Rappi Pro Black:
- Open the Rappi app and pick Peru as your country.
- Sign in with Google and choose any email.
- When asked for GPS, tap "Don't Allow" and type a fake address.
- Go to "My Account" and tap "Rappi Subscription."
- Add your payment method and start the trial.
- Upgrade to Rappi Pro Black by picking the subscription and paying.
- Wait up to 48 hours to get your promo code by email.
- Type the promo code in your ChatGPT account to get free access.
💡 Tip: Always use a new ChatGPT account for this deal. Make sure your payment method fits what the Rappi app asks for.
How to Use GPT-5.2 for Free Without ChatGPT Plus
If your primary goal is access to GPT-5.2, rather than the full Plus ecosystem, there are alternative paths.
🎯 OpenAI API Free Credits
New OpenAI developers receive $5–18 in free API credits, which can be used to access GPT-5.2 via API calls. For light usage, this can support hundreds of GPT-5.2 interactions.
Official documentation: https://platform.openai.com/docs
🎯 Microsoft Copilot (GPT-5.2 Integration)
Microsoft Copilot now integrates GPT-5.2 in its free experience.
Free users can:
- Access GPT-5.2 via web and apps
- Choose faster or deeper reasoning modes
- Use limited daily quotas
Enterprise users receive higher limits through Microsoft 365 Copilot (https://www.microsoft.com/copilot).
🎯 Perplexity AI
Perplexity AI allows free users to run a limited number of GPT-5.2-powered searches daily, with real-time web citations. This is especially useful for research-focused workflows (https://www.perplexity.ai).
Comparison Table: All Free ChatGPT Plus Methods
| Method | Duration | Pros | Cons | Rating |
| U.S. Military verification | 12 months | Long-term, official, stable | Eligibility required | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| OpenAI invite trial | 7–14 days | Direct Plus access | Very short | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Education programs | 1–2 months | Official & free | Limited availability | ⭐⭐ |
| Promo partnerships | Varies | No direct payment | Unpredictable | ⭐⭐ |
| API credits | Usage-based | GPT-5.2 access | Technical setup | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Copilot & Perplexity | Long-term | Always available | Feature limits | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Which Method is Best for You?
- Military-affiliated users: U.S. military verification is the best choice for long-term access.
- Short-term testing: OpenAI invitation trials are perfect for limited-time access.
- Students & academics: Watch for future education programs offering free ChatGPT Plus.
- Research-focused users: Perplexity AI provides a great solution for research tasks.
- Productivity inside Office tools: Microsoft Copilot is a strong option for users already integrated into Office tools.
AIPURE’s Conclusion
ChatGPT Plus doesn’t have to cost $20 per month for everyone. By 2026, there are multiple ways to get free access, including official trials, educational offers, and military verification. Bookmark this page for regular updates as OpenAI continues to improve its pricing and access models.
FAQ
Are free ChatGPT Plus trials safe?
Yes, as long as you use real invitations from OpenAI or trusted partners. Avoid suspicious websites.
Who qualifies for student ChatGPT Plus offers?
You must be a college student in the U.S. or Canada and verify your status through SheerID or school papers.
Can you use ChatGPT Plus for free on mobile?
Some deals don’t work with mobile plans, so read the rules carefully before signing up.
What happens when your free trial ends?
You lose access to Plus features unless you subscribe. You can keep using the free version or pay to get full access.
Want more AI tools and easy guides? Visit AIPURE for the latest updates!
