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ChatGPT (OpenAI)

Stage 1 — Get started

Best for data analysis with Code Interpreter, custom workflow automation via Custom GPTs, and image + text in one chat.

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Stage:Get startedEntry price:From $20/moCompliance:SOC 2 Type II(verify before relying)Verified:2026-09-30

Best for

  • Excel and CSV analysis you don't want to write formulas for — Advanced Data Analysis (formerly Code Interpreter) runs Python on uploaded files and shows the work
  • Custom GPTs for your firm's repeated workflows (intake scripts, RMD-reminder wrappers, prospect-to-CRM pipelines)
  • Built-in image generation for client-facing materials, blog visuals, and quick mockups — no separate tool needed
  • Voice mode for hands-free brainstorming or rehearsing a client conversation while you drive between meetings

Avoid

  • Long-form client emails where voice matters — output reads salesier than Claude's; use Claude as the writer and ChatGPT as the analyst
  • Citation-heavy market research — ChatGPT browsing works but Perplexity ships better source attribution
  • Anything client-related on the free or Plus tier without your own review — output tone varies more than Claude across runs

Shortcuts

  • Custom GPTs bake firm-specific instructions, disclaimers, and uploaded reference docs into a reusable assistant — make one for client emails, another for prepping compliance review
  • Memory (Settings → Personalization) remembers your firm name, voice preferences, and recurring context across chats — turn it on once your style is dialled in
  • Projects group related chats with shared context, files, and instructions — use one per major client or per workflow type so context is scoped, not bleeding across topics
  • @-mention other GPTs mid-chat to chain capabilities (draft in a writing GPT, then @ your compliance-review GPT to vet it)

Model variants

ChatGPT runs on OpenAI's latest GPT models, and OpenAI changes the lineup often. OpenAI launched GPT-6 on Oct 7, 2026 for paid ChatGPT plans; Free users get a different default model. The GPT-4 series (GPT-4o, GPT-4.1) was retired from ChatGPT in February 2026, and OpenAI o3 was scheduled to retire from ChatGPT on August 26, 2026. You generally pick a plan tier rather than a specific model.

Compliance gotchas

  • Free-tier interactions can be used to train future models. Never paste client PII (account numbers, SSNs, balances) into the free tier.
  • Plus ($20/mo) lets you opt out of model training in Settings → Data Controls — but Business ($20-25/user/mo) and Enterprise are excluded from model training by default (per OpenAI) and are the only tiers we recommend for any client data. Note: excluded from training is not the same as zero retention — admins set retention.
  • Custom GPT instructions and uploaded reference files are visible to OpenAI for safety review — treat them as firm-sensitive, not strictly confidential.
  • AI-generated images can contain identifiable artifacts (warped text, unnatural fingers) — review every image before client use. No US federal law generally requires advisors to label AI-assisted content, but some states and regulators can expect disclosure of material AI use — follow your firm's policy and review your Form ADV disclosures.

Compliance posture

SOC 2
SOC 2 Type II
Zero retention
Not offered
SSO
Business tier+
SCIM
Enterprise only
HIPAA BAA
Enterprise only
Data residency
Configurable

Also ISO 27001 + ISO 27701. Data residency available in US/EU/UK/JP/CA/KR/SG/AU/IN/UAE for eligible Enterprise + Edu + API customers. OpenAI does not offer a BAA for ChatGPT Business; a BAA requires ChatGPT Enterprise with a Regulated Workspace, or ChatGPT for Healthcare. Retention: OpenAI states Business/Enterprise workspace admins control how long data is retained and deleted conversations are removed within 30 days (unless legally required); zero data retention (ZDR) is an approval-based API arrangement, not a ChatGPT plan feature. OpenAI does not train on Business/Enterprise data by default.

Editorial data — verify against the vendor's live trust page before relying. Last verified 2026-05-29. Full posture matrix →

Pricing

Free tier (limited access). Plus $20/mo (expanded access to advanced models, Custom GPTs, image generation, voice). Pro $100 or $200/mo for heavy individual use (check OpenAI for current Pro tiers and availability). Business (formerly Team; recommended for advisory firms): Standard seat $20/user/mo billed annually or $25 monthly; Premium seat $100/user/mo annually or $125 monthly (5x Standard usage). OpenAI states it does not train on Business/Enterprise data by default; admins control retention. Enterprise (contact sales) for larger-firm admin and security controls. Prices as published by OpenAI (Sept 2026).