Want to get more out of ChatGPT? Try ChatGPT plugins. A paid subscription to OpenAI’s ChatGPT Plus offers access to hundreds of plugins designed to expand the capabilities of the AI chatbot. You can use these plugins to interact with external apps, services, and companies to make travel arrangements, reserve a table at a restaurant, order food delivery, apply for a job, play a game, track your diet, or learn a new language.
But with almost 900 plugins at last count and more popping up each day, which ones are worth using? Here are the best plugins we have found, and how to use them the right way.
How to Get ChatGPT Plugins
DIFFICULTY Beginner DURATION 5 minutes TOOLS web browserChatGPT Plus
Step 1: Sign up for ChatGPT Plus
Access to ChatGPT’s plugins currently requires a ChatGPT Plus subscription, which will set you back $20 a month. If you’re not already a subscriber, head to the ChatGPT website and log in with your account. Click the Upgrade to Plus option at the bottom of the left sidebar. At the pop-up window, click Upgrade to Plus, then enter your payment information and click Subscribe.
(Credit: Lance Whitney / Open AI)Step 2: View current Plugins
Once your ChatGPT Plus subscription is activated, return to the ChatGPT chat screen and click GPT-4 at the top. From the small menu that appears, choose Plugins (Beta).
(Credit: Lance Whitney / Open AI)Step 3: Open Plugin Store
Since you currently have no plugins added, select the No plugins enabled option and then click the Plugin store button.
(Credit: Lance Whitney / Open AI)Step 4: Install Plugins
A window for the Plugin store pops up with apps organized a few different ways. Click Popular to see the hottest plugins, New for the most recent additions, and All to show them all. If you see a plugin that interests you, click the Install button next to it. After you’ve installed a plugin, another category for Installed will house the ones you chose.
(Credit: Lance Whitney / Open AI)Step 5: Enable your plugins
After you’ve downloaded some plugins, close the store window. Back at the chat screen, click the row of icons to view your installed plugins. From the drop-down window, check the plugins you want to use. You can enable only up to three plugins at a time, though you can change them at any time depending on which ones you want to use.
(Credit: Lance Whitney / Open AI)Step 6: Use a plugin
To use one of the active plugins, submit a question or request that references an associated topic. For example, if you’ve enabled the Kayak plugin, ask ChatGPT to help you find a flight, hotel room, or rental car for a specific place and time. If you’ve enabled the DoorDash plugins, ask for a list of local restaurants for local delivery or pickup. If you’ve enabled the Broadway plugin, ask ChatGPT to recommend some plays currently on Broadway. ChatGPT will display the name of the plugin used to generate its response.
(Credit: Lance Whitney / Open AI)Step 7: Use a plugin by name
If you’re not getting the proper response, you can also mention the name of the plugin in your request. For example, mention the plugin A Review Summary if you’ve enabled it and want to see specific items on Amazon. Mention the plugin for Calorie Coach if you want to track your meals and get food suggestions. Put Easy Resume into a request if you want help creating or editing your resume. Again, ChatGPT will confirm the plugin used by displaying its name.
(Credit: Lance Whitney / Open AI)10 Best ChatGPT Plugins Worth Trying
We tested out ChatGPT's plugin offerings and found 10 options we really liked. Here are the best options in the store right now.
1. AI Quest
(Credit: Lance Whitney / Open AI)With AI Quest, you embark on an interactive text-based adventure. After telling ChatGPT that you want to play AI Quest, you’re asked to choose a name and age range. Next, select the subject for your adventure, such as space exploration, mystery thriller, romantic drama, or wild west. Choose a style, including horror, humor, Tim Burton style, or Tarantino style. The story kicks off with descriptions of the scenario. At each point, you’re asked to enter the choice you wish to make to direct the action and plot.
2. A Review Summary
(Credit: Lance Whitney / Open AI)You’re looking for a certain product on Amazon and would like to learn what other buyers think of it. Instead of scouring every customer review, use A Review Summary. With this plugin enabled, tell ChatGPT what item you’re seeking on Amazon, and it will serve up a few notable reviews with a rating, a summary of the advantages and disadvantages of the product, and overall recommendations.
3. A-to-Z Video Summary
(Credit: Lance Whitney / Open AI)Instead of using YouTube's on-site search feature, give yourself a head start with A-to-Z Video Summary. With this plugin, you can describe what you want to see, and the plugin will provide a list of YouTube videos along with a summary and link to the video itself. You can also request a more detailed summary of any listed video.
4. Calorie Coach
(Credit: Lance Whitney / Open AI)Looking to shed a few pounds or just eat a more healthy diet? Calorie Coach can help. With this plugin, you’re able to get calorie information on any type of food at restaurants and grocery stores. You can then track the calories for all your meals to make sure you’re eating the right food to lose weight and become healthier.
5. HiCollectors Finder
(Credit: Lance Whitney / Open AI)HiCollectors Finder is a helpful plugin for those of you who like to shop on eBay. Tell ChatGPT what product you’re seeking on eBay, it will return with a list of items up for sale. Each entry contains the name and price of the item, a description, and a link to its selling page on the site.
6. Kayak
(Credit: Lance Whitney / Open AI)Popular among travelers looking for flights, hotels, or rental cars, Kayak is available as a ChatGPT plugin. Describe the type of information you want and when you need your flight, hotel room, or rental car. In response, the AI describes your options, listing the price and offering links to the Kayak website where you can book the item you need.
7. Music
(Credit: Lance Whitney / Open AI)Most AI chatbots can generate a song based on your description, but the Music plugin lets you actually hear the song that's created. Like Google's MusicLM AI, you can tell ChatGPT what type of song you need and what subject you want it to include. In response, the lyrics to the song appear on the screen along with a link to a web page where you can listen to the song.
8. Podcast Search
(Credit: Lance Whitney / Open AI)With several million podcasts collectively available through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and other platforms, finding a specific podcast can be challenging. With Podcast Search, you’re able to zero in on interesting and informative podcasts based on the topics you like. Just tell ChatGPT what types of podcasts you want. In response, it will generate a list of podcasts and links to their websites or podcast platforms.
9. Timeport
(Credit: Lance Whitney / Open AI)You may not be able to time travel in the real world but you can in the virtual world. With the Timeport plugin, you’re off on an interactive text-based adventure through time. Tell ChatGPT what year or era you want to visit, and you’ll be placed in a scene with descriptions of the environment, the scenario, and the people (or other living things) around you. Travel back in time to the Jurassic Period to meet dinosaurs, to the 1930s to hang out at a speakeasy, or to the year 10,000 to encounter flying cars and cybernetic humans. You then direct the action by typing commands that let you interact with your surroundings and the beings around you.
10. What to Watch
(Credit: Lance Whitney / Open AI)With all the video streaming options and cable channels available, it can be difficult to know where your favorite TV shows and movies are located. The plugin for What to Watch aims to steer you in the right direction. Tell ChatGPT what you’d like to watch and name your country. In response, the AI will generate a list of sites where you can stream, download, or buy the title you want along with links to access the show or film.
