ChatGPT Go Expands to 16 Asian Countries, Bringing Affordable AI Access
The affordable ChatGPT Go plan, priced under $5, is now available in 16 additional Asian countries. The rollout includes Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, East Timor, and Vietnam.
In Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Pakistan, users can pay using local currencies, improving convenience and accessibility. In other countries, payment is set in USD at around $5, with the final cost depending on local taxation. This expansion underscores a growing effort to make AI tools more affordable across emerging markets.
Growing Reach and Competitive Momentum
The ChatGPT Go plan offers higher daily limits for messages, image generation, and uploads. It also doubles the memory of the free plan, providing more tailored and efficient interactions. As a result, engagement levels are steadily increasing.
Weekly active users in Southeast Asia have reportedly grown up to fourfold since the plan’s launch. Following successful rollouts in India and Indonesia, paid subscriptions have continued to climb. This trend highlights the increasing demand for budget-friendly AI access in developing regions.
Competition is also intensifying as other major technology firms introduce low-cost AI chatbot plans. These services offer advanced tools for image, video, and design creation, along with expanded cloud storage. The global race to dominate the affordable AI market is accelerating rapidly.
Strategic Expansion Amid Growth Challenges
The expansion aligns with the company’s broader platform transformation announced at its 2025 developer event. ChatGPT now supports integrated applications from major partners, turning the chatbot into a more versatile ecosystem for creativity, learning, and productivity.
Global user growth has been remarkable, surpassing 800 million weekly active users. However, despite this rapid adoption, the company reported a $7.8 billion operating loss during the first half of 2025 due to heavy investments in infrastructure. Affordable plans like ChatGPT Go are key to balancing expansion with long-term profitability.
With increasing competition and strong regional demand, the expansion into 16 new Asian countries marks a pivotal step toward making AI access truly global.
