Premium model gating
Some advanced models require a higher plan tier.
Last updated: 2026-05-05
How gating works
Some advanced models cost significantly more to operate than others. To keep entry-level plans affordable, premium models are gated to higher plan tiers.
In the model picker you'll see:
- ✅ Available — included in your current plan, click to select
- 🔒 Locked — shows the minimum plan required, with a one-click upgrade link
Locked models are visible (so you know they exist) but cannot be selected until you upgrade.
Which models are gated
Gating is enforced server-side and the exact list evolves with pricing. As a rule of thumb:
| Tier | Examples | Available on |
|---|---|---|
| Open | ChatGPT, Gemini, Google AI Overview, smaller models | All plans |
| Standard premium | GPT-6 Sol, Claude Haiku | Starter and above |
| Top premium | ChatGPT Pro, GPT-5.6 Sol, Gemini 3.1 Pro | Growth and above |
Free trials get temporary access to premium models so you can evaluate them.
Why we gate
- Cost — top models can cost 50–100× more per request than light models. Without gating, a single Free user could exhaust a month's credits in minutes.
- Fairness — heavier models also use more concurrency budget; gating keeps the queue snappy for everyone.
- Predictability — your credit forecast is more reliable when premium consumption is bounded.
Upgrading to unlock
Click the 🔒 icon on any locked model, or go to Account → Plan & Credits. Upgrades take effect immediately — your next scan can include the newly unlocked models with no waiting period.
Hierarchy check
Internally we check plan_tier >= required_tier for every model on every scan submission. This means even if a model briefly appears unlocked due to a UI cache, the server enforces the rule on execution.