Just last week, OpenAI finally launched its first official app for ChatGPT after a number of third-party sourcing ChatGPT emerged in the App Store.

Currently only available for iOS, I tested out the app to see if it matched the expectations of the web application and how it compared to other third-party apps already available in the app store.

Using a simple dark theme design, the iOS app works similarly to the web application, asking you to sign-in and also recording conversation history with the chatbot. Unlike the browser, you don't see a bar on the left side of the screen displaying all the features and history, the interface of the conversation is pretty much like a message chat. Features and settings can be accessed by clicking on the three dots in the top-right corner of the screen.

OpenAI has done its best to replicate the GPT-3.5 model into a sleek application, including audio recording which isn't available when using the web software. You can record your question and ChatGPT will respond in text, detecting your query rather quickly.

When asked how ChatGPT was different from its iOS application, the browser, and iOS app responded differently. The mobile application answered that it aimed to implement ChatGPT in iOS devices with a user-friendly interface and easy access.

The web app, however, denied OpenAI having released an iOS app, "As of my knowledge cutoff in September 2021, OpenAI had not released any official iOS application specifically for ChatGPT."

The web software seems to be lagging behind the mobile application in recent updates.

ChatGPT mobile offers similar premium subscriptions which provide exclusive features like access to the AI chatbot during peak times, faster response time and priority to new features and updates. The premium plan is available for Rs4,900/month. The free version works rather well, thus, purchasing the premium plan is unnecessary unless the usage of the program is frequent.

The ChatGPT app is a must-have for all iOS users, especially if you use the chatbot frequently for work or research. The free version offers an adequately decent service, with ease of use and access, in comparison to the browser app.