OpenAI pauses new $200 Pro sign-ups after Astra drives heavy demand

In short: OpenAI has temporarily disabled new sign-ups for its $200 per month Pro plan because demand for its Astra AI model is putting too much pressure on its systems.

What happened

OpenAI says it is pausing new subscriptions to its Pro plan, which costs $200 per month. The company said Pro users place the most strain on its infrastructure, meaning the behind-the-scenes computers and networks that keep the service running.

The update was shared publicly by OpenAI product leader Thibault Sottiaux in a post on X. He said OpenAI is taking “the smallest step” that still keeps the service working well for the most people.

OpenAI’s other options are still available, including its lower-cost Go and Plus plans. The company also said its API remains available. An API is a way for other apps to plug into OpenAI, like using a power outlet instead of building your own generator.

Why it matters

If you were thinking about upgrading to Pro, you may not be able to sign up right now. For existing users, the pause is meant to keep things stable, like limiting new guests at a crowded restaurant so the kitchen can keep up.

OpenAI has not said how long the Pro pause will last, or how many people are trying to sign up. The company recently launched Astra on September 3, and the new model is being added across multiple OpenAI plans, which helps explain why demand spiked so quickly.

Source: TechCrunch AI