OpenAI has temporarily paused new subscriptions to its $200-per-month Pro plan due to a surge in demand following the launch of the new Astra model, which has strained the company’s infrastructure.
The company stated that this adjustment aims to maintain broader service availability amid limited resources. OpenAI has not specified how long the pause will last or disclosed the daily number of new Pro subscription sign-ups.
Other plans are still available.
OpenAI stated that API services and the more affordable Go and Plus plans remain available. The quality of service for existing users will be prioritized, which is the primary reason the company decided to pause new Pro subscriptions.
Earlier this week, OpenAI issued a preemptive warning that demand for Astra has been "unprecedented," and the company is employing various measures to handle the traffic. If demand remains high, new Pro subscriptions may be temporarily paused.
Astra launched on September 3.
Astra was released on September 3, followed by a phased rollout to multiple account tiers, including Pro, Plus, Enterprise, and Business users. The model has also been integrated into OpenAI's AI product ecosystem.
OpenAI describes Astra as a significant advancement in areas such as reasoning, programming, and computer operations—among the most competitive domains in today’s AI industry.
Pressure may be concentrated in the near term.
Notably, OpenAI only recently increased the usage limits for Codex users last month, suggesting that the current resource pressure is more likely a short-term surge following Astra's release rather than a sustained issue.
OpenAI has not yet announced a timeline for restoring new Pro subscriptions. However, based on the company’s statements, the short-term focus remains on prioritizing the experience of existing users and maintaining normal operations for other key product lines.