OpenAI Rolls Out Free GPT-5.1 Pro Upgrade for ChatGPT Pro Subscribers

November 19, 2025

Details

  • OpenAI initiated the worldwide release of GPT-5.1 Pro on November 19, 2025, upgrading all paying subscribers from the previous GPT-5 model.
  • The upgrade is included at no extra cost for ChatGPT Pro ($20/month) and Team users, who can activate the new model via the app or web interface.
  • GPT-5.1 is promoted for clearer reasoning and enhanced performance in writing, data science, and business decision-making.
  • OpenAI reports significant double-digit accuracy improvements for complex reasoning, code generation, and spreadsheet-related tasks in their internal testing.
  • Technical updates feature a larger context window, swifter token processing, and improved alignment training to cut down on model hallucinations.
  • Continuing its approach, OpenAI delivers the latest model features to paid users first, keeping the free tier on the prior GPT-5 release.

Impact

This upgrade escalates the competition among major AI providers like Anthropic and Google, challenging them to match OpenAI’s blend of price and performance. As GPT-5.1 boosts accuracy and reduces hallucinations, it also better aligns with evolving regulatory standards in the US and EU. The rapid rollout keeps OpenAI at the forefront of premium AI services, pushing rivals to innovate quickly.

Read more