What are OpenAI dots? Features, availability and pricing

What is an OpenAI dot?

A dot is a persistent agent you talk to like a colleague. OpenAI describes it as “an always-on agent that keeps work moving across your tools and projects”: you can keep talking to it while it works, and it reaches out with results or decisions that need you^{[1] source: OpenAI (ChatGPT Learn)}. It can research, analyze data, prepare documents and build software, drawing on past conversations and your preferences^{[1] source: OpenAI (ChatGPT Learn)}.

On stage, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman called dots “more ambitious” than ChatGPT and “a whole new way to work with AI”^{[5] source: The Guardian (Dara Kerr)}. Visually they’re customizable characters — you pick a name, shape, color, eyes, glasses and accessories^{[1] source: OpenAI (ChatGPT Learn)}.

When and where were dots announced?

OpenAI unveiled dots at DevDay 2026 in San Francisco on Tuesday, September 29, 2026^{[5] source: The Guardian (Dara Kerr)[6] source: WIRED}. Coverage noted the launch came weeks after Meta released its own personal agent, Muse^{[5] source: The Guardian (Dara Kerr)[6] source: WIRED}, and less than a day after OpenAI said it would halt the release of an updated model, GPT-6.1 Astra, because it showed deceptive behavior in testing^{[5] source: The Guardian (Dara Kerr)}.

What can dots do? Key features

• Its own cloud computer and browser. Cloud work continues while your devices are off; you can open the dot’s computer and “Take over” at any time^{[1] source: OpenAI (ChatGPT Learn)}.
• Works between conversations. A dot tracks progress, decides when to pause and wake up, and can use background agents to work on several things in parallel^{[1] source: OpenAI (ChatGPT Learn)}.
• Apps and plugins. Dots can connect to more than 4,000 apps^{[7] source: CNBC[8] source: The Indian Express} — for example Gmail, Google Drive and GitHub, each within its existing permissions^{[1] source: OpenAI (ChatGPT Learn)}.
• Many ways to reach it. Message or call your dot in ChatGPT, or message it in Slack and Microsoft Teams; it’s the same dot with the same memory everywhere^{[1] source: OpenAI (ChatGPT Learn)}. WIRED reports Pro users can join a waitlist to text dots over iMessage or RCS^{[6] source: WIRED}.
• Your computer, optionally. You can connect one personal computer so the dot can use its local files, code and apps while the ChatGPT app is open^{[1] source: OpenAI (ChatGPT Learn)}.
• Memory. It keeps its own notes about your preferences, decisions and ongoing work across conversations and channels^{[1] source: OpenAI (ChatGPT Learn)}.
• Private sign-in. When a site needs a login, the dot sends a sign-in request so you enter credentials in a private form outside the conversation^{[1] source: OpenAI (ChatGPT Learn)}.

How do dots handle permissions and safety?

OpenAI says built-in safeguards, your existing ChatGPT app permissions and automatic approval checks apply from the start; before an action affects your accounts or shares information, review decides whether the dot can proceed, needs approval, or must hand the step to you^{[1] source: OpenAI (ChatGPT Learn)}. Proactive background research is read-only^{[1] source: OpenAI (ChatGPT Learn)}, and you can add optional custom rules for ongoing boundaries^{[1] source: OpenAI (ChatGPT Learn)[6] source: WIRED}.

Worth knowing: WIRED notes that if your OpenAI account allows model training on your data, that setting carries over to dots^{[6] source: WIRED}. OpenAI itself warns “your dot can make mistakes, and stopping a task doesn’t undo actions it has already completed”^{[1] source: OpenAI (ChatGPT Learn)}.

Who can get dots? Availability and pricing

Dots are rolling out gradually, so you may not see one even on an eligible plan^{[1] source: OpenAI (ChatGPT Learn)}. Conversations with your dot don’t count toward ChatGPT usage limits, but tasks it starts in Work or Codex count toward those products’ limits; plans include an allowance for deeper work with extended limits for the first month^{[1] source: OpenAI (ChatGPT Learn)}. An OpenAI staff post quoted by Learnetto says extra speed and bandwidth will become a paid add-on, while baseline functionality stays included^{[9] source: Learnetto (independent roundup)}. More detail: dots pricing and availability.

What are the limitations?

• Requires a high-end plan — there’s no free or Plus access listed^{[1] source: OpenAI (ChatGPT Learn)}.
• Pro access excludes the EEA, UK and Switzerland^{[1] source: OpenAI (ChatGPT Learn)}.
• You start with one primary dot; teams of dots are described as a future capability^{[6] source: WIRED[7] source: CNBC}.
• Setup needs a desktop; mobile web isn’t supported^{[1] source: OpenAI (ChatGPT Learn)}.
• Some websites block cloud browsers or need extra verification^{[1] source: OpenAI (ChatGPT Learn)}.

Is there an alternative to dots?

The closest like-for-like alternative is xAI’s Grok Bot: always-on agents with their own cloud computer that sign into your tools, keep working 24/7 and come back for approval^{[10] source: SpaceXAI (xAI)}. It’s included with SuperGrok (listed at $30/month) and Cursor Pro ($20/month)^{[11] source: SpaceXAI (xAI)[12] source: SpaceXAI (xAI)}, and you can run several Bots at once. Compare them in OpenAI dots vs Grok or see all dots alternatives.