ChatGPT for Teachers vs ChatGPT Free
Free · Free through June 2028 for verified U.S. K–12 educators, not students vs Free: choose by included models and usage limits. API usage is separate.
| Compare | ChatGPT for Teachers | ChatGPT Free |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly USD | Free · Free through June 2028 for verified U.S. K–12 educators, not students | Free |
| Included models | no models listed | GPT-6 Luna, GPT-5.6 Terra, GPT-5 Thinking Mini, Codex |
| Billing | sponsored | free |
| Verified · Monthly USD source · Included models source · How we verify → | ||
· Updated 2026-11-02
Which one should you pick?
Pick ChatGPT for Teachers if you want
- deep research
- team admin & SSO
Pick ChatGPT Free if you want
- GPT-6 Luna as your main model
- coding agent
Based on listed plan terms; check usage limits before upgrading.
| Attribute | ChatGPT for Teachers | ChatGPT Free |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free · Free through June 2028 for verified U.S. K–12 educators, not students | Free |
| Best for | Verified US K–12 educators | Trying ChatGPT for everyday chat |
| Usage | — | Base allowance |
| Billing | sponsored | free |
| Audience | education | consumer |
| Models | Not enumerated | GPT-6 Luna, GPT-5.6 Terra, GPT-5 Thinking Mini, Codex |
| Key perks | ChatGPT Work & shared projects; Sites, Space & Plugins; School admin & eligible SCIM | GPT-6 Luna chats; Search & file uploads; Limited Codex on desktop |
| Context window | Not fixed per plan | Not fixed per plan |
| Web search | Yes | Yes |
| Deep research | Yes | Not listed |
| Image generation | Yes | Yes |
| Coding agent | Not listed | Yes |
| File uploads & analysis | Yes | Yes |
| Team admin & SSO | Yes | Not listed |
| Verified | Price 2026-11-02 · models 2026-11-02 | Price 2026-11-12 · models 2026-11-12 |
✓ listed in the provider's current plan terms · — not listed (may still be available) · Pricing data: How we verify →
Usage limits in full
- ChatGPT for Teachers
- Free through June 2028 for verified educators and staff at accredited U.S. K–12 schools/districts, not students. Workspaces are restricted to the same district. Later pricing may change with notice. The current plan page does not name an exact model SKU; the current help guide promises the flagship model without an exact SKU. Tenant-wide SCIM is available for eligible K–12 district tenants with a verified domain; exclude student accounts.
- ChatGPT Free
- GPT-6 Luna for everyday chats; GPT-5.6 Terra has limited access in Work and Codex on desktop. Text chats are unlimited subject to abuse guardrails; tool, upload, image, voice, and research limits vary by plan.
Everything each plan lists
Only in ChatGPT for Teachers
- +file uploads, voice and image generation
- +data analysis, web search and deep research
- +custom GPTs and shared workspaces
- +SSO and role-based access controls
- +no training on school data by default
- +ChatGPT Work, Plugins, Sites and Space
- +tenant-wide SCIM for eligible district workspaces
Only in ChatGPT Free
- +GPT-6 Luna text chats
- +limited Codex and ChatGPT Work access on desktop
- +search
- +file uploads and image creation with plan limits
How to decide
Picking between ChatGPT for Teachers and ChatGPT Free usually comes down to three things: which models you want access to, how much you'll actually use, and what ecosystem you already live in. Still unsure? The Subscription vs API calculator tells you the break-even usage where pay-as-you-go API access would be cheaper than either subscription.
Frequently asked questions
What is the price difference between ChatGPT for Teachers and ChatGPT Free?
ChatGPT for Teachers is priced at Free · Free through June 2028 for verified U.S. K–12 educators, not students and ChatGPT Free at Free. Pricing structures differ, so compare the table above for a like-for-like view.
Which AI models are included with ChatGPT for Teachers vs ChatGPT Free?
ChatGPT for Teachers bundles no models listed. ChatGPT Free bundles GPT-6 Luna, GPT-5.6 Terra, GPT-5 Thinking Mini, Codex. The model lineup is usually the most important factor — pick the plan whose flagship models match the work you actually do.
Is ChatGPT for Teachers or ChatGPT Free better value for power users?
It depends on usage. Use the Subscription vs API calculator to see at what monthly usage level either plan beats pay-as-you-go API access.
Can I switch between ChatGPT for Teachers and ChatGPT Free?
Check each provider's billing terms before switching. Monthly, annual and per-seat commitments can differ; cancellation usually stops renewal rather than refunding the current period.