Updates·November 1, 2026, 13:05

Multiple ChatGPT subscriptions on the same card or device can hit a cap

AI-generated from the sources listed, with automated source checks.

OpenAI has capped how many paid ChatGPT accounts can be tied to the same payment card or device. OpenAI calls it a security measure, while The Decoder assesses that it will likely hit users who switch between accounts, and that the alternatives are generally more expensive.

If you have several paid ChatGPT accounts on the same phone, computer or payment card, you may run into a limit. OpenAI has introduced caps on how many paid subscriptions can be linked to the same card or device. That is according to the news site The Decoder, which cites OpenAI's own support page.

What happens when the limit is reached?

If too many subscriptions are linked to the same payment card, you cannot start new ones. And when a device has reached its cap for paid accounts, the message "Device limit reached" appears. The affected account can then no longer be used on that device.

According to OpenAI's support page, logging out of an account does not automatically free up a slot for another account.

Who does it apply to?

The limits apply to the ChatGPT Go, Plus, Pro 100, Pro 200 and Pro 500 subscriptions. Free accounts do not count. Neither do Business, Enterprise and Edu subscriptions.

The specific numbers for how many accounts are allowed per card or device are not given in the source.

What does OpenAI point to instead?

Instead, OpenAI refers users to buying extra credits or using what it calls usage resets. According to The Decoder, those options are generally more expensive than an extra subscription.

Security or money?

According to the source, OpenAI describes the measure as a security precaution. The Decoder reads it differently. The site assesses that the policy will likely hit users who switch between several paid accounts on one device to get more usage out of cheap, fixed-price subscriptions.

The Decoder also argues that OpenAI appears to be slowly prioritizing revenue over growth. According to the site, this is also reflected in the upcoming merger of Chat and Work in ChatGPT. That is The Decoder's assessment and not something OpenAI has said itself.

The information comes from The Decoder's account of the support page. For ordinary users with a single account, it is unlikely to change anything. But if you have several paid accounts on the same device or card, it is worth keeping an eye on.