Operator (OpenAI)
Discontinued — OpenAI's web agent, now folded into ChatGPT Work
OpenAI · Autonomous Agents
Launched Jan 23, 2025
Quick Answer
Operator (OpenAI) is discontinued — openai's web agent, now folded into chatgpt work, made by OpenAI. It is a paid product. Key uses: Online shopping, Form filling, Restaurant booking.
Last updated:
Users
Available to ChatGPT Pro/Plus subscribers (100M+)
What is Operator (OpenAI)?
DISCONTINUED. Operator was OpenAI's autonomous web-browsing agent, powered by the Computer-Using Agent (CUA) model. The standalone product was shut down on 31 August 2025 and its capabilities were absorbed into ChatGPT agent. OpenAI then removed ChatGPT agent mode in August 2026, directing users to ChatGPT Work for multi-step tasks and to the cloud browser for browser workflows. The underlying CUA capability remains available to developers through the OpenAI Agents SDK. Listed here because the name is still widely searched.
What's new in Operator (OpenAI) in 2026?
Operator GA (Jan 2025) for Pro users; API available via Responses API; Operator expanded to Plus users (Feb 2025); expanded to 30+ countries; Instacart, DoorDash, OpenTable partnerships; Operator handles 60%+ tasks end-to-end autonomously; new Operator tasks API
How much does Operator (OpenAI) cost?
ChatGPT Plus
$20/mo
- Operator access
- Limited daily tasks
ChatGPT Pro
$200/mo
- Unlimited Operator
- CUA API access
- Priority queue
What can you do with Operator (OpenAI)?
- Online shopping
- Form filling
- Restaurant booking
- Job applications
- Research data collection
- Web task automation
Pros
- Pioneered mainstream computer-use agents
- CUA capability lives on via the OpenAI Agents SDK
Cons
- Standalone product shut down 31 August 2025
- Successor ChatGPT agent mode also removed in August 2026
- No direct one-to-one replacement surface
What are the best alternatives to Operator (OpenAI)?
Compare Operator (OpenAI) Head-to-Head
Frequently Asked Questions about Operator (OpenAI)
How much does Operator (OpenAI) cost?
Operator (OpenAI) pricing: ChatGPT Plus at $20/mo; ChatGPT Pro at $200/mo.
Is Operator (OpenAI) free?
Operator (OpenAI) is a paid product with no permanent free tier.
What is Operator (OpenAI) used for?
Operator (OpenAI) is used for: Online shopping, Form filling, Restaurant booking, Job applications, Research data collection, Web task automation.
What are the best alternatives to Operator (OpenAI)?
Top alternatives to Operator (OpenAI) include Devin, AutoGen, Manus.
What platforms does Operator (OpenAI) support?
Operator (OpenAI) is available on: Web (chatgpt.com/operator), API (via Responses API with computer-use tool).
Details
Underlying Models
Platforms
Integrations
Ideal For
- Power users wanting task automation
- Researchers
- People with accessibility needs