With so many models inside ChatGPT—each designed for different tasks—it’s completely understandable to feel unsure about which one to use. Thankfully, Inc. reporter Ben Sherry has created a helpful guide that breaks everything down in a simple, user-friendly way. Whether you’re a professional, an entrepreneur, or someone just looking to use AI more effectively at work, his guide provides practical and actionable insights. Not only does he explain who gets access to which models, but he also outlines what each model excels at and how they compare to one another. Moreover, the guide avoids overwhelming technical terms. Instead, it focuses on real-world scenarios—such as writing, research, coding, and strategic planning—so that anyone, regardless of technical background, can easily understand how to choose the right model for their specific needs.

🔹 GPT-4o (Free Plan)

Best for: Everyday tasks like writing, summarizing, chatting, basic analysis, and even working with images or voice. Key features:

• • Multimodal: Can understand text, images, audio, and video (in supported environments).

• • Speed: Very fast and responsive.

• • Free to use on the basic ChatGPT plan. Use cases:

• • Writing emails, blog posts, or social media captions.

• • Summarizing long PDFs, meeting notes, or web pages.

• • Generating creative ideas quickly.

This is the default model for most free users and works well for general needs.

🔹GPT-4o-mini

Best for: Repetitive, lightweight tasks that don’t require deep reasoning or creativity. Key features:

• • A slimmed-down version of GPT-4o.

• • Very fast and efficient.

• • Ideal for small automations, quick responses, or templated tasks. Use cases:

• • Data entry suggestions, autofill prompts.

• • Repetitive email replies or chatbot-like interactions.

• • Quick translations or text clean-up.

If your task is simple but frequent, this model saves time and resources.

🔹GPT-4.5 (Plus & Team Plans)

Best for: Emotionally aware writing, communication help, and creative content generation. Key features:

• • More emotionally intelligent than GPT-4o.

• • Stronger in writing tone, storytelling, and human-like responses.

• • Accessible through ChatGPT Plus ($20/month) or Team plans. Use cases:

• • Writing blog posts, creative fiction, or ad copy.

• • Polishing emails for tone and clarity.

• • Virtual therapy-style support conversations.

• • Creative brainstorming or brand messaging.

Perfect if you need help with polished, professional, or emotionally intelligent writing.

🔹o3

Best for: Strategy, long-term planning, research, and multi-step problem-solving. Key features:

• • Optimized for complex thinking.

• • Can manage layered tasks and decision trees.

• • Prioritizes logic and reasoning over casual conversation. Use cases:

• • Business planning, market research, SWOT analysis.

• • Writing whitepapers, policy drafts, or investment breakdowns.

• • Solving long-term logic puzzles or planning marketing funnels.

Ideal for users doing deep thinking or multi-layered analysis.

🔹o4-mini & o4-mini-high

Best for: STEM tasks—math, science, coding, data manipulation, and automation. Key features:

• • Less focus on general knowledge or writing.

• • Highly optimized for performance in technical domains.

• • Faster than heavier models. Use cases:

• • Writing or reviewing code (JavaScript, Python, etc.).

• • Data modeling, algorithms, or formula generation.

• • Engineering or science problem-solving.

Use this when coding or working with technical subjects is your priority.

🔹o1 pro (Pro & Enterprise Plans)

Best for: High-end technical work, risk analysis, or reviewing large systems/codebases. Key features:

• • Most powerful model available—very accurate and analytical.

• • Access is limited to 5 uses/month on Pro and Enterprise plans.

• • Best suited for high-stakes tasks. Use cases:

• • Security audits, legal contract analysis, or large codebase reviews.

• • Deep risk or compliance assessment.

• • Financial modeling and simulations.

Reserved for advanced users with highly technical or sensitive work.

🔹GPT-4 (Retired April 2025)

• • GPT-4 was once the flagship model for premium users.

• • It was powerful in reasoning and creativity but has since been replaced by newer versions like GPT-4o and GPT-4.5.

🔹GPT-5 (Coming Soon)

• • Expected to launch later in 2025.

• • May change how models are organized, accessed, or named.

• • Likely to be smarter, faster, and more customizable.

Each model is designed for a different kind of work—so it’s not about knowing them all, just picking the right one for your needs. Whether you’re writing content, solving problems, planning strategies, or analyzing data, using the right model can make your work faster and easier.

Ben Sherry’s guide doesn’t push upgrades or overhype the tech. It just helps you understand what’s available so you can use AI more intentionally—based on your goals and your workflow.

Read the full article for more insights.