This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by Ali Farhat
OpenAI quietly dropped one of the most powerful updates to ChatGPT: Agents. These aren’t just renamed GPTs — they’re full-fledged AI workflows with memory, tools, and trigger logic.
But here’s the catch: some features are locked behind paywalls and tiered access.
In this post, we’ll break down what ChatGPT Agents can really do, how they compare to Custom GPTs, and if they’re worth your time (and money).
Is ChatGPT Agent Worth It? Costs, Capabilities, and Real-World Impact
OpenAI just launched the ChatGPT Agent, a major evolution of AI that not only thinks but acts. But what does it actually do—and is it worth the upgrade?
In this deep dive, we’ll explore:
- What ChatGPT Agent is
- What it costs
- What it can actually do today
- Who it’s for (and who it’s not)
- How it compares to alternatives like Perplexity and Gemini
- Why this matters for business teams
What Is ChatGPT Agent?
ChatGPT Agent is a new feature inside ChatGPT (Pro, Team, Enterprise) that gives the model a sandboxed virtual computer. This means it can autonomously:
- Browse the web and interact with pages
- Fill forms, click buttons, submit queries
- Generate PowerPoint decks, Excel sheets, and reports
- Use tools like Google Drive, Gmail, or SharePoint (when connected)
- Switch between “Operator” (interactive) and “Deep Research” modes
It’s essentially the first truly agentic AI tool from OpenAI—one that can both reason and execute.
What Does ChatGPT Agent Cost?
As of now (July 2025), ChatGPT Agent is included in:
| Plan | Price/month | Access to Agent |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 |  No |
| ChatGPT Plus | $20 |  Yes (limited to 400 tasks/month) |
| ChatGPT Team | $30–50/user/mo | Higher limits |
| Enterprise | Custom pricing | Full access with integrations |
Limits apply per month (e.g. ~400 agent runs for Plus). Some features like file uploads and advanced memory are restricted in lower tiers.
What Can It Really Do?
Here’s what ChatGPT Agent can currently handle:
| Category | Example Use Case |
|---|---|
| Research | Gather sources for a report, summarize insights |
| Forms | Book a meeting, order a product, fill job apps |
| File Generation | Make pitch decks, financial spreadsheets |
| AI Assistant Tasks | Compare hotels, book travel, schedule events |
| Developer Help | Query APIs, generate data, mock endpoints |
Unlike chat-only models, this agent executes—no manual copy-paste needed.
Why It Matters for Business
If you’re building automations or want to augment operations:
- Sales teams can offload research + email writing
- HR can automate recruiting and onboarding tasks
- Product teams can turn specs into instant presentations
- Executives get AI research agents that prepare full reports
Bonus: Pair ChatGPT Agent with your API/backend and you’re building a custom AI agent without code.
Also see: GPT-5 And Business Solutions →
Downsides to Know
- It can still fail silently—e.g. click wrong buttons, misinterpret UI
- Memory is off for now (except on Team/Enterprise plans)
- No integration with custom business apps unless exposed via APIs
That said, this is the closest step yet to a general-purpose AI assistant for knowledge workers.
ChatGPT Agent vs Gemini vs Perplexity Agent
| Feature | ChatGPT Agent | Gemini 1.5 Pro | Perplexity Agent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Web control | Yes |
No UI control |
No UI access |
| File generation | Slides, Sheets |
Docs, Tables |
Basic only |
| Sandbox execution | Own VM |
|
|
| Memory | (Plus tier) |
|
|
| Business apps | Gmail, Drive |
Google tools |
|
| Pricing | $20+/mo | Free / Pro | Free / Pro |
ChatGPT Agent is ideal if you need real output execution, not just insights.
Why This Update to ChatGPT Matters Now
Until now, most businesses viewed ChatGPT as a powerful assistant—great for generating content, answering questions, or brainstorming ideas. But it was always limited to one-off prompts. You ask a question, it responds. No memory, no context, no workflow logic. That’s where Custom GPTs came in—allowing users to personalize models with specific instructions or personality traits. But even those lacked real-world autonomy.
Agents change that.
With the new ChatGPT Agents, OpenAI is moving towards true agentic behavior: persistent memory, multi-step workflows, tool usage, and logic branching. These aren’t just static prompts. Agents can now:
- Handle repeated tasks like email replies, onboarding, or research updates
- Maintain memory across conversations or events
- Interact with APIs and external tools (soon expected to expand dramatically)
In essence, OpenAI is giving ChatGPT the foundation of an operating system for AI work.
From a business point of view, this unlocks a completely new layer of automation. Imagine:
- An agent that manages your CRM data and alerts your team when deals are stagnating
- A legal assistant that summarizes contracts, flags risks, and hands them off to the right department
- A research assistant that proactively tracks competitors or market trends, then sends weekly digests
These workflows were previously reserved for either expensive SaaS tools or complex internal automations built with Make.com or Zapier. Now, businesses can create them inside ChatGPT, using natural language.
Of course, not all capabilities are available for free. Agents with memory or advanced tool access are restricted to ChatGPT Plus, Team, or Enterprise tiers. And depending on the use case, performance and security might still be concerns for sensitive industries.
But the implications are clear: this is the beginning of agent-as-a-service, and it’s moving fast.
Is It Safe?
Yes. OpenAI has built-in safeguards:
- “Watch Mode” warns you before sensitive actions
- Sandbox prevents file access outside session
- Logging for debugging and auditing (Team/Enterprise)
- Memory is off by default
Want to See What AI Agents Can Do for You?
Run the AI Scan →
Uncover business workflows where intelligent agents can take over repetitive tasks instantly.
Final Verdict
ChatGPT Agent is the closest thing we have today to a self-driving AI worker. It’s not perfect, but for $20/month, it delivers powerful web automation and document handling for professionals.
Need a full AI stack? Scalevise helps companies deploy AI agents, internal automations, and custom GPT‑5 solutions.
This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by Ali Farhat