OpenAI is already releasing ChatGPT Astra, its most powerful model yet, for those with a $20 Plus subscription, but there’s no word on when free users will gain access.
The rollout seems to be gradual, and Astra may appear in ChatGPT Work before it’s available in regular chat.
On my $20 Plus account, Astra is now available in the Work section of ChatGPT, while the normal chat model selector still doesn’t offer it.
Here’s what it looks like when I go to ChatGPT Work and click on the model picker:
Source: BleepingComputer
So if you have ChatGPT Plus and still don’t see Astra in regular chat, it’s worth checking out Work.
OpenAI previously confirmed that it is rolling out Astra to Plus users, but it will be a while before it rolls out to everyone.
“GPT-6 Astra it is now available for all Pro, Enterprise and Business Premium users in ChatGPT Work and Code. It’s also live in the API,” OpenAI wrote in a post by X.
“It may take a few days to roll out to our Plus and Business users.”
Astra is included with your existing ChatGPT Plus subscription
OpenAI says Astra usage is included within existing subscription limits, so Plus users don’t need to buy a separate plan to access the model.
If you need additional usage, you will also be able to purchase credits.
Astra is OpenAI’s new flagship model and is designed for computing, browsing, coding, science, cybersecurity and longer professional tasks.
OpenAI says it’s also significantly better than GPT-5.6 Sol at maintaining context during complex work.
Although ChatGPT Astra is being distributed to paid users, OpenAI has not said whether the model will be released to free users, or in what capacity if it does. For now, free users have access to GPT-5.6 Sol and GPT-5.
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