GPT-3.5 vs GPT-4 vs GPT-4o- Which ChatGPT Model is Right for You?

GPT-3.5

It is a fast and lightweight version of ChatGPT available for free. It works wonders in activities like getting summaries, brainstorming, making questions, and casual writing. It is the best model for basic use with quick responses. However, it has lower reasoning ability and may give less accurate outputs.

GPT-4

It is a more advanced and robust model with better reasoning and accuracy. It can solve complex problems and create professional content, coding, etc. It comes with improved logic and deeper understanding to give better output than GPT-3.5. However, it is slower than GPT-3.5 and is available in the paid plan only.

GPT-4o (Omni)

It is the latest and most advanced ‘omni’ model with multimodal abilities. Corporate users who need top-tier performance with extensive support for text and images can use this model. It is fast like GPT-3.5 and smart like GPT-4. It supports image input or output. However, GPT-4o is in an evolving stage and a part of the Pro (paid) plan.

Let’s discuss the pros and cons of these three models so that you can get more clarity in your selection.

GPT-3.5

Pros

• Free to use for all without a subscription

• Quick and lightweight model for day-to-day tasks

• Easy for casual users and beginners

Cons

• May produce less reliable responses

• Struggles with complex tasks of coding and logic

• Only text-based interaction and no personalized memory

GPT-4

Pros

• Best model for complex problem-solving and coding

• It produces more factual responses than GPT-3.5

• It is useful for professional writing and analysis

• It is ideal for tasks where precision is necessary

Cons

• It has a slower response time than both GPT-3.5 and GPT-4o

• It requires a ChatGPT Plus subscription (USD 20/month)

• It can handle images, but only in specific use cases

• It lacks natural voice interaction

GPT-4o

Pros

• It offers the best of both worlds by combining the intelligence of GPT-4 and the speed of GPT-3.5

• It accepts and creates text, images, and voice

• It enables real-time conversations at high speed

• It is highly beneficial for professionals and creators alike

• It learns and adapts based on the user’s preferences

Cons

• It is available only with a paid subscription

• It is too robust to handle basic tasks

• It is in the evolution phase, i.e., some of its features are yet to roll out

1. Speed and Efficiency

GPT-3.5

It is a very fast and responsive model to perform basic tasks quickly. This model offers high speed but with less depth.

GPT-4

It is slower, but it focuses more on accuracy and depth than GPT-3.5. It looks sluggish while giving longer or more complex responses.

GPT-4o

It is as fast as GPT-3 and as intelligent as GPT-4. This is a perfect model for performing complex tasks in real time.

2. Reasoning and Accuracy

GPT-3.5

It has basic reasoning, and it is prone to factual errors or inconsistencies occasionally. It is not reliable for performing technical tasks.

GPT-4

It has excellent reasoning and logic, especially for tasks related to coding, analysis, and professional content generation.

GPT-4o

It shows more accuracy than GPT-4 in most cases. It performs well in tasks related to real-world scenarios or visuals.

3. Multimodal Capabilities

GPT-3.5

It is a text-only model and cannot handle images or audio effectively. It is a basic model when it comes to dealing with images or video.

GPT-4

It can handle image inputs using specific APIs or apps, but it lacks audio or voice features. It supports text input and output only in ChatGPT.

GPT-4o

It is a completely multimodal model that understands and generates text, interprets images, and communicates using voice.

4. Personalization and Memory

GPT-3.5

It has no memory and does not retain users’ queries. There is no way to retrieve previous conversations.

GPT-4

Memory is gradually rolling out in ChatGPT. It remembers instructions, user preferences, and feedback.

GPT-4o

It has memory enabled in ChatGPT. It supports long-term personalization like remembering names, goals, or writing style.

5. Accessibility

GPT-3.5

All users can use it for free on ChatGPT.

GPT-4

It is a paid model and a part of the ChatGPT Plus plan.

GPT-4o

It replaces GPT-4 in ChatGPT Plus as the default model.

Do you find this comparison confusing, or want to get effective tips on how to choose the right model? Read on.

Developers

They need ChatGPT for code generation, debugging, writing documentation, and optimizing logic. Their obvious choice is GPT-4o because it gives them the perfect combination of speed and intelligence. They can utilize GPT-3.5 for getting help with quick syntax and writing small scripts. GPT-4 can assist them in handling logic-heavy codebases.

Content Creators and Writers

They want to draft blog posts and social media content along with generating ideas using ChatGPT. Here, the best choice is GPT-3.5 for getting outlines and idea lists. However, when depth, tone, and originality are essential in long-form articles or copywriting, it is better to opt for the GPT-4 model.

Designers

They need ChatGPT for generating image prompts and UI/UX feedback with accessibility support. Here, GPT-4o remains the best choice as it supports image input and output. It can also understand design briefs and evaluate visuals. It is better to choose GPT-4o than GPT-4 because the latter offers limited image understanding.

Entrepreneurs & Business Leaders

From strategy planning to decision-making and email sending to summarizing trends, entrepreneurs need ChatGPT in multiple ways. GPT-4o remains the most beneficial tool for them as it can generate presentations and analyze images effectively. They can also use GPT-4 for getting in-depth reports and making pitch decks.

It is, however, better to consult a reputable AI chatbot development company to select the right model.