OpenAI has temporarily stopped accepting new subscribers for its $200-per-month Pro plan amid exceptionally high demand for Astra, the company’s newest and most powerful AI model. According to OpenAI, the Pro tier puts the greatest strain on its systems, prompting the company to disable new sign-ups while it works to support demand.
The restriction was confirmed by OpenAI product leader Thibault (Tibo) Sottiaux, who oversees core products including ChatGPT and Codex. According to the company, limiting Pro registrations is the smallest measure needed to handle the surge while keeping existing services running smoothly. Users can still access the API as well as the lower-priced Go and Plus plans.
The scale and duration of the suspension remain unclear. OpenAI has not revealed how many people are trying to sign up for Pro or when new subscriptions will reopen. The company had previously indicated that sustained demand for Astra could force it to take such a step, while its recent decision to increase Codex usage limits points to how quickly demand has intensified.
Astra is being rolled out as part of a broader release to Pro, Plus, Enterprise, and Business customers. OpenAI has promoted it as a generational advance and a milestone in its push toward AGI, adding to the attention surrounding the model and the strain on the company’s infrastructure.