ChatGPT vs Qwen Chat
A side-by-side look at pricing plans, free tiers, features, pros and cons, updated for 2026. Qwen Chat is completely free, while ChatGPT is freemium.
At a glance
Best for
Category
Pricing model
Starting price
Free plan
Made by
Based in
Rating
Key features
- Voice conversations
- File and image analysis
- Web search with sources
- Deep research
- Custom GPTs
- Projects and memory
- Model switcher
- Deep thinking
- Web search
- Image and video generation
- Artifacts preview
| Feature | ChatGPT | Qwen Chat |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | OpenAI's general assistant for writing, research, coding and images | Alibaba's free assistant running the Qwen family of models |
| Category | Chat assistants | Chat assistants |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Free |
| Starting price | $8/mo | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes, fully free |
| Made by | OpenAI | Alibaba |
| Based in | United States | China |
| Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Key features |
|
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Pricing compared
Qwen Chat is completely free, while ChatGPT is freemium.
Free plan
Cheapest paid plan
Top plan
Free trial
6 plans
Free
Free
- Access to GPT models with limits
- Limited file uploads and image generation
Go
$8/mo
- Higher message and upload limits
- More image generation
- Longer memory
Plus
$20/mo
- Advanced reasoning models
- Deep research and agent mode
- Codex access
Pro
$100/mo
- Starting price; $200 and $500 tiers
- Highest usage limits
- Pro reasoning model
Business
$25/mo
- Per user, 2-seat minimum
- Shared workspace and admin controls
- No training on your data
Enterprise
Contact sales
- Enterprise security and SSO
- Expanded context and limits
- Dedicated support
Prices in USD, checked Oct 28, 2026 or later. Plans change often, so confirm on each tool's site before you buy.
Pros and cons
ChatGPT
- Handles a very wide range of tasks
- Strong voice mode on mobile
- Large ecosystem of custom GPTs
- Best models and limits sit on paid plans
- Free and Go tiers show ads
- Can state wrong facts confidently
Qwen Chat
- Free access to large Qwen models
- Many tools in one app
- Good multilingual support
- Data stored by a Chinese company
- Interface changes frequently
- Less polished mobile apps
Which one should you choose?
Choose ChatGPT if you want:
- Handles a very wide range of tasks
- Strong voice mode on mobile
- Large ecosystem of custom GPTs
Watch out: best models and limits sit on paid plans.
Choose Qwen Chat if you want:
- Free access to large Qwen models
- Many tools in one app
- Good multilingual support
Watch out: data stored by a chinese company.
ChatGPT vs Qwen Chat FAQ
What is the difference between ChatGPT and Qwen Chat?
ChatGPT: OpenAI's general assistant for writing, research, coding and images. Qwen Chat: Alibaba's free assistant running the Qwen family of models. Both are chat assistants tools.
Is ChatGPT or Qwen Chat cheaper?
Qwen Chat is completely free, while ChatGPT is freemium.
Do ChatGPT and Qwen Chat have free plans?
ChatGPT: Yes. Qwen Chat: Yes, fully free.
Who makes ChatGPT?
ChatGPT is made by OpenAI, based in United States.
Who makes Qwen Chat?
Qwen Chat is made by Alibaba, based in China.
Which should I choose, ChatGPT or Qwen Chat?
Choose ChatGPT if you value handles a very wide range of tasks and strong voice mode on mobile. Choose Qwen Chat if you value free access to large qwen models and many tools in one app.