# AppuBot vs OpenAI dots: an alternative without ChatGPT Pro Source: https://appubot.com/compare/chatgpt-dots By Sarthak Gupta. Published 2026-10-29, updated 2026-10-29. **The short answer:** OpenAI's dots are always-on agents in ChatGPT, each with its own cloud computer and browser, running on GPT-6 Astra. You need ChatGPT Pro (the $100, $200 or $500 tiers), Business Premium or Enterprise, and Pro doesn't offer dots in the EEA, the UK or Switzerland. AppuBot is free during early access, runs as many bots as you like on your own computer, and can use your ChatGPT plan through Codex, or Claude, Grok and others. Pick dots for an agent that works with your computer off; pick AppuBot to work in your own apps with the plan you already pay for. ## At a glance | | AppuBot | OpenAI dots | | --- | --- | --- | | Price | Free during early access | Included with ChatGPT Pro ($100, $200 or $500 a month), Business Premium or Enterprise | | Where it works | Your own computer, in its app windows | A cloud computer and browser per dot; your computer too, once connected and online | | AI model | Your choice per bot: Codex (your ChatGPT plan), Claude Code, Grok, Copilot and more | GPT-6 Astra | | How many | As many bots as you like, each with its own job | Your dot: one agent that runs background tasks | | Where you talk to it | The desktop app and Telegram | ChatGPT on mobile, desktop and the web, Slack, Microsoft Teams, calls; texting in beta (US) | | Regions | Anywhere | Pro: not in the EEA, UK or Switzerland. Business Premium and Enterprise: rolling out worldwide | | Works with your computer off | No | Yes | _dots facts from OpenAI’s ChatGPT documentation, checked 29 October 2026._ ## What does a dot cost compared with AppuBot? A dot is part of the most expensive ChatGPT plans: **Pro 100, Pro 200 and Pro 500**, **Business Premium**, and **Enterprise** (where an admin has to turn it on). Talking to your dot doesn’t count toward your ChatGPT limits, but the tasks it starts in ChatGPT Work or Codex do. AppuBot costs nothing during early access. If you already pay for ChatGPT, a [Codex](https://appubot.com/agents/codex) bot in AppuBot signs in with that same plan, so your bots use what you already have. See [use your Claude or ChatGPT plan](https://appubot.com/guides/use-your-claude-or-chatgpt-plan) for how that works. ## Does a dot work on my computer? A dot lives in the cloud with **its own computer and browser**, so it can keep working while your devices are off. You can also connect one personal computer from the ChatGPT desktop app; then the dot can use that computer's files, code and apps, as long as it's online with the ChatGPT app open. When a site blocks its cloud browser, it can try your connected computer instead. AppuBot starts from the other end: every bot works **on your computer**, in the apps you already use, already signed in. [Computer use](https://appubot.com/features/computer-use) reads each window's buttons and fields and does many steps per turn, so jobs take seconds rather than minutes. You see a small pointer with the bot's face on your screen, and you can take over at any moment. It runs on Mac, Windows and Linux. ## One dot or many bots? OpenAI's docs talk about **your dot**: one agent with a name and a look you design (shape, colour, eyes, glasses), that keeps track of ongoing work and starts background tasks when it needs to. For many people that's the right shape: one capable assistant that follows up. AppuBot is built around **many bots, each with one job**: an [accounting bot](https://appubot.com/bots/accounting), an [inbox manager](https://appubot.com/bots/inbox-manager), a [research bot](https://appubot.com/bots/research). Each has its own name, look, instructions, folder, [memory](https://appubot.com/features/memory) and chats, and each can run on a different AI. ## Approvals, memory and schedules - **Approvals.** A dot runs automatic review before anything that touches your accounts: it goes ahead, asks you, or hands the step to you, and you can add custom rules. AppuBot gives each bot a choice of **Approve for me** (it asks before anything important and waits however long you take) or **Full access**. See [approvals](https://appubot.com/features/approvals). - **Memory.** A dot uses ChatGPT memory plus its own notes about your preferences. An AppuBot bot keeps a memory you can open, read and edit line by line. - **Schedules.** A dot decides when to wake up and follow through, and takes scheduled check-ins. AppuBot has [routines](https://appubot.com/features/routines): a prompt that runs every hour, weekdays at 9 or once a month, quietly or with a notification. ## Who should pick which? - **Pick a dot** if you already pay for ChatGPT Pro or Business Premium, want one agent that keeps going with your computer off, and live in ChatGPT, Slack or Teams. OpenAI’s phone apps and calls are polished. - **Pick AppuBot** if you are in the EU, UK or Switzerland on a personal plan, want several bots on different AIs, need work done in desktop apps, or don’t want to move up to a $100-a-month plan to get an agent. ## Questions ### Do I need ChatGPT Pro to use dots? Yes, or a business plan: dots come with ChatGPT Pro (the $100, $200 and $500 tiers), Business Premium and Enterprise. AppuBot needs no ChatGPT plan of its own, and can use the one you have through Codex. ### Are dots available in Europe or the UK? Not on ChatGPT Pro: OpenAI lists Pro access for people outside the European Economic Area, the UK and Switzerland. Business Premium and Enterprise are rolling out worldwide. AppuBot works in any country. ### Can I use my ChatGPT plan in AppuBot? Yes. A Codex bot in AppuBot signs in with your ChatGPT account, so it runs on the plan you already pay for with no API key. ### Which is better for working in desktop apps? AppuBot, because it is built for it: every bot works in your computer's own app windows. A dot works in a cloud browser first and can reach a connected computer while the ChatGPT app is open there. ### Does a dot keep working when my laptop is closed? Yes, that is its strength: it works on a cloud computer. AppuBot bots need your computer on, though a Mac can stay awake with the lid closed. ## Sources Facts about other products as of 2026-10-29. - [Meet dots (ChatGPT docs)](https://learn.chatgpt.com/docs/dots)