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OpenAI Deep Research

Agentic multi-step web research in ChatGPT that returns a cited report.

Details checkedReviewed 2026-09-27

Is it a fit?

Best for

Knowledge workers who need thorough, cited reports across finance, science, policy, or engineering.

Think twice if

Real-time conversational answers or tasks needing an immediate response.

What it can help you do

Research a topic with sources

OpenAI describes deep research as an agentic capability that conducts multi-step internet research and returns a fully cited report.

Prepare: A research question or prompt · Optional uploaded files or spreadsheets · Optional trusted-site restrictions or connected apps
Get: A cited research report in the chat · A summary of the steps and sources used · Graphs and images embedded in reports
Your part: Select deep research in the ChatGPT composer and enter the query · Attach files or spreadsheets for context · Track progress in the steps/sources sidebar · Review and verify the final report and citations

Research a topic →

Where you still take over

  • Select deep research in the ChatGPT composer and enter the query
  • Attach files or spreadsheets for context
  • Track progress in the steps/sources sidebar
  • Review and verify the final report and citations

Limits to know

  • Can hallucinate facts or make incorrect inferences
  • May struggle to distinguish authoritative information from rumours
  • Weak confidence calibration
  • Reports can contain minor formatting or citation errors
  • Takes roughly 5-30 minutes and is compute-intensive

From input to output

What you provide

  • A research question or prompt
  • Optional uploaded files or spreadsheets
  • Optional trusted-site restrictions or connected apps

What you get

  • A cited research report in the chat
  • A summary of the steps and sources used
  • Graphs and images embedded in reports

How to start

Have these ready

  • A ChatGPT account with deep research entitlement
  1. Open ChatGPT and select deep research in the composer.
  2. Describe the research question and attach context files.
  3. Let the agent browse and synthesize sources, which can take 5-30 minutes.
  4. Read the report and verify claims against the linked citations.

Pricing, with context

Available inside ChatGPT; free access is limited to a small number of queries, while paid plans receive higher monthly limits.

Usage caps, taxes, regional availability and plan features may change. Confirm the current terms before subscribing.

Check official pricing

Pricing category: Free plan · 2026-09-27

Evidence & sources

This is an official-source review, not a hands-on test of OpenAI Deep Research. Vendor descriptions and demos are evidence of advertised features, not independent proof of results. “Best for” and review guidance are editorial judgments based on those sources.
  • Introducing deep research ↗https://openai.com/index/introducing-deep-research/

    OpenAI says the agent finds, analyzes, and synthesizes hundreds of online sources into a comprehensive cited report; page retrieved via Wayback Machine snapshot dated 2026-09-27.

Other ways to get it done

Google Gemini Deep Research

Details checked

Gemini's agentic feature that builds a research plan and writes a cited report.

Why it fits Google states Deep Research creates a multi-step plan, browses the web, and generates a report with links to original sources.

PrepareA research question

GetA comprehensive report with key findings and source links

ReviewEnter the question in Gemini

Keep in mindReport claims and citations still need review
Ready to use · Pricing not verified
View detailsVisit website

Elicit

Details checked

AI research agent and search over scientific literature.

Why it fits Elicit states it searches 138M+ academic papers and 545k clinical trials and generates fully cited reports and evidence tables.

PrepareA research question

GetCited research reports

ReviewType a research question

Keep in mindFocuses on scientific and academic sources
Ready to use · Free plan
View detailsVisit website

Undermind

Details checked

AI co-researcher that finds papers others miss.

Why it fits Undermind states it reads and evaluates hundreds of papers, follows citation trails, and watches for new papers.

PrepareA description of the research goal

GetRanked, relevant papers

ReviewDescribe what you are working on

Keep in mindFocused on scholarly literature
Ready to use · Free plan
View detailsVisit website

Compare their inputs, outputs and setup requirements before choosing.