OpenAI Expands Budget-Friendly ChatGPT Plan to 16 More Asian Countries

OpenAI’s ChatGPT Go has expanded to a total of 18 countries across Asia, according to an announcement made yesterday.

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OpenAI is extending its reach in Asia with the expansion of ChatGPT Go, its more affordable subscription plan, to 16 additional countries. This move, initially teased by OpenAI executive Nick Turley on platform X, now brings the service to a total of 18 Asian nations.

“Making ChatGPT more affordable has been a key ask from users,” Turley previously stated, underlining the demand for accessible AI solutions in emerging markets.

Following successful launches in India and Indonesia, this wider rollout includes Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste (East Timor), and Vietnam. The expansion signifies OpenAI’s strategic focus on democratizing access to its advanced AI technologies.

The primary goal, according to OpenAI, is to broaden the accessibility of its latest model, GPT-5. ChatGPT Go offers a compelling value proposition by incorporating all the features of the free version, while adding enhanced capabilities such as image generation, file uploads, and advanced data analysis. Furthermore, subscribers benefit from significantly higher usage limits compared to free users, particularly for core chat functions and other tools.

The pricing of ChatGPT Go reflects the diverse economic landscapes of the target markets. Launched initially at approximately $4.50 per month in India and Indonesia, the cost could differ in other markets. This localized pricing strategy is crucial for penetrating price-sensitive regions where affordability is a key factor in technology adoption.

Beyond ChatGPT Go, OpenAI maintains its existing portfolio of subscription plans. These include ChatGPT Plus at $20 per month and ChatGPT Pro at $200 per month, alongside a business plan priced at $25 per month, catering to a wide spectrum of user needs and budgets.

Since its debut in late 2022, ChatGPT has experienced phenomenal growth worldwide. Data from OpenAI reveals that adoption rates in low-income countries have surpassed those in high-income countries by more than fourfold by May 2025. This rapid uptake highlights the transformative potential of AI in these regions.

However, the availability of ChatGPT Go remains staggered. While it’s currently accessible on web and Android subscriptions in Cambodia, Laos, and Nepal, the iOS app is still pending. This phased rollout allows OpenAI to ensure stability and cater to specific platform requirements in each market.

Analysts note that this expansion is a crucial step for OpenAI in two key areas: accelerating global adoption of large language models (LLMs), particularly in emerging economies, and gaining a competitive edge against other AI providers also vying for market share in Asia. The affordable pricing model of ChatGPT Go could prove to be a decisive factor in attracting a large user base, data which can then be used to further improve the model and capture key market insights.