Frequently Asked Questions

1. How much does it cost to use OpenAccessGPT?

OpenAccessGPT itself is free to use, but you will need to pay for the API usage, as it uses OpenAI's APIs. API usage is billed separately from any ChatGPT Plus subscription you may have. For detailed pricing information, visit OpenAI's pricing page: https://openai.com/pricing in addition check out our "What's the cost?" section.

2. Are you affiliated with OpenAI?

No, OpenAccessGPT is an unofficial, open-source alternative to ChatGPT and is not affiliated with OpenAI. We use OpenAI's APIs to enable communication with GPT-3.5 and GPT-4.

3. Who is behind the project and why did you create this?

Diego and Filippo, two Italian tech entrepreneurs, created OpenAccessGPT. They were motivated by the ban imposed by the Italian DPA (Garante della Privacy) on ChatGPT, aiming to provide a more secure, open, and transparent alternative to other options that Italians had started using, such as untrustworthy VPNs and non-transparent apps available online or on app stores.

4. Does OpenAccessGPT bill users directly or store billing info?

No, OpenAccessGPT does not bill users directly or store any billing information. All billing and payments are handled by OpenAI. You will be billed for API usage based on OpenAI's pricing. For more info check out our "What's the Cost" section.

5. What is the difference between the online version of the app and the locally installed one? Which is recommended?

The online version is a demo intended for users to try out OpenAccessGPT without installing it locally. However, the recommended option is to install OpenAccessGPT locally or run it on your server, as it offers more control over privacy and security.

6. How can I activate GPT-4 in OpenAccessGPT?

GPT-4 is currently in early access with a waiting list. Once you have access to GPT-4 through OpenAI's API, you can use it with OpenAccessGPT by modifying the API call in the application code to use the GPT-4 model. You can request early access to GPT-4 APIs in this form hosted online on OpenAI website: https://openai.com/waitlist/gpt-4-api

7. How can I check my API usage and remaining credit?

You can monitor your API usage and remaining credit by logging into your OpenAI account and visiting the dashboard on the OpenAI platform.

8. Can I run OpenAccessGPT on mobile devices?

OpenAccessGPT cannot be installed on mobile devices, but you can bookmark on your homescreen the online chat version for use on your mobile device. Please note that the online version should be considered as a demo, and it is recommended to install OpenAccessGPT on your server and access it from there for better privacy and security.

OpenAccessGPT does not require login or signup because OpenAI manages API access, and OpenAccessGPT only stores the API key locally in your browser. This design choice helps maintain user privacy and control over their data.

10. Where is my chat and API data stored?

Your chat data is stored locally in your browser when using OpenAccessGPT. API data is managed by OpenAI, and OpenAccessGPT does not store it on its servers.

11. What kind of analytics do you use and why?

We use minimal analytics to help us understand user behavior and improve the OpenAccessGPT experience. The analytics we use respect user privacy and do not collect personally identifiable information. In specific we chose to use usermaven.com because its GDPR-compliant and their servers are based in the EU that usually has a stricter privacy policy compared to other regions.

12. Are you providing any warranty or SLA while using OpenAccessGPT?

No, OpenAccessGPT is an open-source project under the MIT license, and you use it at your own risk. We do not provide any warranty or SLA. You can download and clone the repository to run it locally if you prefer. We encourage users to join our Discord community for support and to provide feedback.

13. Can you tell me more about the original open-source project and what changes you made?

OpenAccessGPT was created by forking another open-source project from Cogent Apps. We made few changes to the codebase to provide more focus on privacy and security. We are grateful to the community behind the original project and in the future we hope that the collaboration with the original project will continue. Our aim is to focus on privacy, openness and transparency of this unofficial alternative to ChatGPT.

14. What kind of help are you looking for?

We are looking for open-source contributors, experts, testers, and developers to provide feedback and contribute to the project's growth. We invite everyone to join our Discord community, discuss ideas, and collaborate on GitHub.

15. How do I get started with OpenAccessGPT?

To get started, you can either try the online version of OpenAccessGPT or follow the instructions to install it locally from the GitHub repository. Make sure to obtain your OpenAI API key, which is required to interact with GPT-3.5 & GPT-4.