The launch of GPT-5 has sparked a wave of cancellations among ChatGPT Plus subscribers. Here’s why long-time users are upset and how OpenAI is responding.
OpenAI’s highly anticipated GPT-5 launch has stirred a storm of backlash among ChatGPT users. Despite promises of improved reasoning, accuracy, and multi-modal abilities, many loyal subscribers are unhappy with the update. The sudden removal of older models like GPT-4o has left users frustrated — and many are cancelling their subscriptions in protest.
Why GPT-5 Is Facing Backlash
When OpenAI unveiled GPT-5 during its live-streamed event, the company highlighted advancements such as:
- Better coding and reasoning capabilities
- Lower hallucination rate (fewer made-up facts)
- Improved accuracy and multi-modal abilities
However, these technical improvements came with a major trade-off — the discontinuation of popular older models. GPT-4o, GPT-4.5, GPT-4.1, and several others were removed without prior notice, upsetting long-time users who had relied on these models for specific tasks.
What Users Are Saying
The reaction on Reddit and social media has been intense. Many users claim GPT-5 feels less personal, shorter in responses, and lacking emotional intelligence compared to GPT-4o.
“4o wasn’t just about performance — it had a voice, a rhythm, and a spark. GPT-5 feels mechanical,” one user wrote.
Others criticized OpenAI for removing multiple models overnight, disrupting workflows that depended on them. Users said they used different models for creativity, research, and logical reasoning — something GPT-5 alone can’t replace.
Subscription Cancellations
A growing number of ChatGPT Plus users have cancelled their subscriptions, citing two main reasons:
- Loss of older models that offered unique personalities and specialized capabilities.
- Distrust after allegations that OpenAI used misleading performance charts during the GPT-5 presentation.
Some also complained about strict usage limits — 80 messages every 3 hours with GPT-5 and 200 messages per week with the GPT-5 Thinking model.
OpenAI’s Response
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman addressed the criticism on Reddit and X (formerly Twitter). He announced:
- Doubling the message limit for the standard GPT-5 model.
- Allowing temporary access to GPT-4o for Plus users.
- Making it easier to see which model is responding.
- Giving users more control over triggering the “Thinking” mode.
Altman also explained that GPT-5 appeared “dumber” on launch day due to a temporary autoswitcher malfunction, which has since been fixed.
The Bigger Picture
This controversy highlights a deeper issue: AI model personality matters as much as performance. Many users formed an emotional connection with GPT-4o, treating it as more than just a tool. GPT-5’s technical upgrades may be impressive, but if it feels cold and detached, user satisfaction suffers.
The GPT-5 launch shows that innovation can sometimes alienate loyal customers. While OpenAI is taking steps to address concerns, it remains to be seen whether these changes will win back users who valued the warmth, creativity, and personality of older models.
If OpenAI wants GPT-5 to succeed, it must strike the right balance between raw performance and human-like connection