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When to use which ChatGPT model is a question that many people have asked themselves. In this article you will find out why there are different ChatGPT models and which model is ideal for which purpose. We compare GPT-4o, GPT-4.5, o4-mini, o4-mini-high, o3 and o1-pro – and show you how to get the most out of them with targeted prompts. Whether you want to create content, program or plan strategically, you’ll find the right recommendation here. We also clarify costs, limits and usability – so you can get the most out of your tool suite!
1. what actually distinguishes the ChatGPT models?
ChatGPT models differ in terms of access, computing power, creativity, multimodality and application profile. From all-rounders to precise specialists – each model is optimized for specific tasks. The right application saves time, money and ensures optimum results. ( help.openai.com )
2. GPT-4o: The all-rounder with real-time power
Skills & Strengths:
- Multimodal: Text, audio, images, video in one model ( writingmate.ai )
- Turbo performance: faster and more cost-efficient than GPT-4 Turbo
- Real-time conversation with emotion, language, translation, image analysis
Costs & Limits:
- Free for Free users (approx. 10 messages/3h), more extensive for Plus users (approx. 80 messages/3h), virtually unlimited with Pro
Ideal for
- Everyday tasks, content, translations, creative ideas, image and audio analysis
Simple prompt example:
“Please summarize the following blog article and generate a visual concept for it. Here is the text and an image as input …”
Copy the text and put a square bracket […] around it.
3 GPT-4.5: The creative genius
Strengths:
- Emotional intelligence, empathic language and tonal subtlety
- Successful mix of brainstorming and dialog management
Límites:
- 20 requests per week for Plus users (previously 50 – now reduced) ( community.openai.com )
Ideal for:
- Marketing texts, empathetic customer communication, creative strategy development
Prompt example:
“Please create a LinkedIn post that appeals to my readers emotionally and picks them up in a way that makes them want to book our new content SEO offer.”
4. o4-mini & o4-mini-high: Technical & efficient
o4-mini: Fast, inexpensive, ideal for code, data and simple technical tasks
- Plus limit: approx. 300 requests/day
o4-mini-high: More depth than mini, ideal for more precise technical work
- Plus limit: approx. 100 requests/day
Ideal for:
- Programming snippets, data analysis, quick technical sketches
Prompt example:
“o4-mini, please analyze this CSV file and create a bar chart of the sales development for me”
5. o3 & o1-pro: Strategic depth & precision
o3: For complex analyses, strategy and coding
- Plus limit: approx. 100/week
o3-pro (formerly o1-pro): Highest reliability over long contexts
- Plus limit: approx. 15/month
Ideal for:
- Business planning, advanced calculations, technical whitepapers
Prompt example:
“03-pro, analyze this market segment and create a 5-year growth strategy including a SWOT matrix.”
6. decision-making aid - where to choose the right model
Modell GPT-4o
Strengths: All-round, multimodal, fast
Recommendation for: Content, e-mail, images/audio, translation
Usability: Free / Plus / Pro available
Modell GPT-4.5
Strengths: Emotional, creative, communicative
Recommendation for: Marketing texts, empathic communication
Usability: Plus limit (20 / week)
Modell o4-mini
Strengths: Fast, cost-effective, technical
Recommendation for: Code, data, quick analysis
Usability: Plus limit 300 / day
Modell o4-mini-high
Strengths: Accuracy in technology
Recommendation for: In-depth technical tasks
Usability: Plus limit 100 / day
Modell o3
Strengths: Deep thinking, strategy, math
Recommendation for: Strategy, research reports, planning
Usability: Plus limit 100 / week
Modell o3-pro
Strengths: Highest precision, long context
Recommendation for: Large projects, careful analysis
Usability: Plus-Limit 15 / month
Conclusion on the question: Which ChatGPT model to use?
Not a ChatGPT all-rounder? No stress! GPT-4o is usually enough for content and everyday communication. For creative or sensitive communication, GPT-4.5 is unbeatable. Technicians and strategists often use o4.mini, o4-mini-high, o3,-pro – depending on depth and budget.
Would you like your own GPT?
I create your own GPT that is completely tailored to your needs and your industry. We provide this GPT with a knowledge database that your GPT can work with. A perfect basis, whether this is for newsletters, social media, content, data analysis or something completely different. This increases productivity and accuracy enormously – your company, your language. And the great thing about it is that this GPT is yours alone.
Frequently asked questions about ChatGPT models
GPT-4o and o4-mini are relatively inexpensive in the Plus subscription – ideal for many tasks.
OpenAI is still testing the model – which is why there are currently only 20 requests per week.
You can switch to another model (e.g. o4-mini as a fallback) or upgrade to Pro.
Only if you want to carry out extensive border analyses, longer conversations or many technical tasks.
Absolutely! Start with GPT-4o, if necessary switch to GPT-4.5 for creative fine-tuning or to o3 for in-depth analysis.
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About the author:
My name is Isabel Unger, I am an independent digital strategist with a clear focus: visibility for the self-employed & small businesses. My heart beats for SEO, content, structure – and for explaining complex things in a way that makes them understandable and feasible.
On ixtreme.online I share my knowledge, my experience and a lot of plain language – without any technical gobbledygook.
