## 5.3. Tool versions: free or paid?

Many AI tools, such as ChatGPT, offer both a free and a paid version. For example, the free version of ChatGPT is less powerful than the paid one. Paid AI tools often provide access to newer models, faster processing, more context memory (important for longer tasks), and additional features.

Still, a free version isn’t necessarily bad. For simple brainstorming, short summaries, or rewriting paragraphs, a free AI tool is often sufficient. However, if you're working on a complex academic project, where you want to analyze multiple documents or have extended conversations with an AI tool, a paid version can make a significant difference in quality and efficiency.

Also pay attention to privacy terms: (free) AI tools may use your input to further train their models. AI tools offered through educational institutions often have better agreements regarding data protection.

Source: ChatGPT, 2025