ChatGPT vs Steno
A side-by-side look at pricing plans, free tiers, features, pros and cons, updated for 2026. ChatGPT has the lower starting price: about $8 a month, against $500 for Steno.
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
- AI twin trained from an interview
- Voice and text conversations
- Multi-platform deployment
- Credit-based usage
- Free-to-paid upsell options
| Feature | ChatGPT | Steno |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | OpenAI's general assistant for writing, research, coding and images | AI twins that talk to your audience in your voice |
| Category | Chat assistants | Chat assistants |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Paid |
| Starting price | $8/mo | $500/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | No |
| Made by | OpenAI | Steno.ai |
| Based in | United States | – |
| Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Key features |
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Pricing compared
ChatGPT has the lower starting price: about $8 a month, against $500 for Steno.
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
4 plans
Starter
$500/mo
- Credit-based usage
- Save 15% yearly
Growth
$1000/mo
- More monthly credits
- Most popular
Scale
$2000/mo
- Highest standard credit tier
Enterprise
Custom
- Custom credits and terms
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
Steno
- Twin is trained in your own voice
- Can run a free tier for your audience
- Annual discount available
- Starts at $500 a month
- Credit limits apply
- Setup is handled with the Steno team
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 Steno if you want:
- Twin is trained in your own voice
- Can run a free tier for your audience
- Annual discount available
Watch out: starts at $500 a month.
ChatGPT vs Steno FAQ
What is the difference between ChatGPT and Steno?
ChatGPT: OpenAI's general assistant for writing, research, coding and images. Steno: AI twins that talk to your audience in your voice. Both are chat assistants tools.
Is ChatGPT or Steno cheaper?
ChatGPT has the lower starting price: about $8 a month, against $500 for Steno.
Do ChatGPT and Steno have free plans?
ChatGPT: Yes. Steno: No.
Who makes ChatGPT?
ChatGPT is made by OpenAI, based in United States.
Who makes Steno?
Steno is made by Steno.ai.
Which should I choose, ChatGPT or Steno?
Choose ChatGPT if you value handles a very wide range of tasks and strong voice mode on mobile. Choose Steno if you value twin is trained in your own voice and can run a free tier for your audience.