Summary:
Artificial Intelligence is evolving faster than ever. With new models like ChatGPT-5, Google Gemini 2.5 Pro, Claude, and DeepSeek pushing the boundaries of what machines can do, the demand for premium AI tools has skyrocketed. But the reality is, subscriptions for these AI models often cost $20–$30 per month per tool, making it expensive for students, researchers, and hobbyists to explore cutting-edge AI.
Introduction:
Artificial Intelligence is evolving faster than ever. With new models like ChatGPT-5, Google Gemini 2.5 Pro, Claude, and DeepSeek pushing the boundaries of what machines can do, the demand for premium AI tools has skyrocketed. But the reality is, subscriptions for these AI models often cost $20–$30 per month per tool, making it expensive for students, researchers, and hobbyists to explore cutting-edge AI.
Luckily, platforms like LMArena (lmarena.ai) are changing the game. Built by researchers at UC Berkeley, LMArena is a community-driven AI arena that allows anyone to access, test, and compare premium AI models completely free of charge. In this guide, we’ll explore how you can use ChatGPT-5, Gemini 2.5 Pro, Claude, DeepSeek, and more without paying a single cent, along with benefits, limitations, and pro tips to maximize your experience.
Why Pay When You Can Access Premium AI for Free?
AI tools are no longer just tools for tech professionals—they are revolutionizing learning, coding, content creation, business intelligence, and even mental wellness. Usually, using GPT-5 or Gemini Pro requires a subscription:
- ChatGPT-5 (o1 models): $20/month via ChatGPT Plus
- Gemini 2.5 Pro: $20/month via Gemini Advanced subscription
- Claude 3/3.5: Paid access for enhanced reasoning and summarization
Imagine getting the full capabilities of these advanced models without paying anything. LMArena not only provides free access but also allows you to experience experimental AI models before they are officially released to the public.
What is LMArena?
LMArena, formerly known as Chatbot Arena, is a free online platform where AI enthusiasts can interact with multiple AI models in different modes:
- Battle Mode – Two AI models compete anonymously on the same prompt. You vote for the better response, and the winners’ names are revealed.
- Side-by-Side Chat – Test multiple models directly in a split-screen format without voting.
- Direct Chat – Interact with a specific AI model in real time, such as ChatGPT-5 or Gemini Pro.
Unlike traditional benchmarks, LMArena relies on millions of human preference votes, making its leaderboard a reliable reflection of AI performance in real-world scenarios.
Which AI Models Can You Use for Free on LMArena?
Here’s a detailed breakdown of the premium and open-source models you can try for free:
OpenAI Models
- GPT-4o: Optimized for reasoning and multimodal tasks.
- GPT-5 (o1 models): Latest generation, usually restricted to ChatGPT Plus.
Google DeepMind Models
- Gemini 2.5 Pro (Claybrook): Typically requires Gemini Advanced, free on LMArena.
- Gemini Ultra (Stonebloom): Experimental, unreleased AI available for early testers.
Anthropic Models
- Claude 3 & Claude 3.5: Advanced conversational AI designed for reasoning, summarization, and safety compliance.
DeepSeek Models
- DeepSeek R1: Cutting-edge AI model available for free on LMArena months before official launch.
Open-Source Models
- LLaMA (Meta): Lightweight, efficient AI model.
- Mistral & Mixtral: Open-weight models excelling in reasoning and text generation.
Pro Tip: LMArena occasionally includes hidden experimental models under codenames, giving you a rare opportunity to test AI systems before public release.
Benefits of Using LMArena AI
Using LMArena comes with multiple advantages, especially for learners, developers, researchers, and AI enthusiasts:
- Free Access to Premium AI
- No subscription required. You can try ChatGPT-5, Gemini 2.5 Pro, and Claude for free, bypassing $20/month fees.
- Early Access to Experimental Models
- Companies often release new models on LMArena first for testing. You can experience unreleased AIs like Gemini Ultra before the official launch.
- Community-Driven Rankings
- LMArena has collected over 3.5 million user votes, creating the largest open dataset of AI preferences. Your votes help researchers improve AI models.
- No Sign-Up or Credit Card Required
- Instant access. Just visit the site and start interacting with AI models.
- Support AI Research
- Every interaction and vote contributes to open-source AI research, helping improve models in real-world applications.
- Experiment Across Domains
- From coding, reasoning, and summarization to content creation and tutoring, you can test AIs for a wide variety of tasks.
Step-by-Step Guide: Using LMArena for Free
Here’s the exact process to start testing AI models like GPT-5, Gemini Pro, and Claude without paying:
Follow these steps to start exploring premium AI models:
- Visit LMArena –> Go to lmarena.ai.
- Choose a Mode
- Battle Mode: Two anonymous AI models respond to the same prompt. Vote for the best response.
- Side-by-Side Chat: Compare multiple models directly without voting.
- Direct Chat: Select a single model like GPT-5 or Gemini Pro to interact freely.
- Enter Your Prompt – Type a question, coding problem, essay topic, or creative task.
- Get Responses – In battle mode, two models respond anonymously.
- Vote for the Best Answer – Your vote contributes to AI research, and model names are revealed.
- Repeat & Explore – Keep testing models to access new or unreleased AI systems.
Example: You type, “Explain quantum computing like I’m 10 years old.” You may unknowingly compare GPT-5 vs. Gemini 2.5 Pro and get to experience their power for free.
Also, you can watch this video for more understanding: How to Use ChatGPT-5 for FREE
Example: Using GPT-5 and Gemini 2.5 Pro for Free
Normally:
- GPT-5 (o1) → Requires ChatGPT Plus subscription ($20/month).
- Gemini 2.5 Pro → Only available on Gemini Advanced ($20/month).
On LMArena:
- Enter a battle → If GPT-5 or Gemini Pro appears, you get full free access.
- Test advanced reasoning, summarization, and coding tasks instantly.
- Sometimes, you even get Gemini Ultra (Stonebloom) or other unreleased AIs.
This approach is ideal for students, developers, researchers, and hobbyists who want hands-on AI experience without breaking the bank.
While using advanced AI models like ChatGPT-4 or GPT-5, it’s equally important to understand how AI safety and content rules really work behind the scenes. A recent Meta AI guidelines leak has raised serious questions about data usage, moderation, and user protection. You can read the full breakdown here to stay informed and safe.
Limitations and Things to Keep in Mind
While LMArena offers incredible free access, there are a few limitations:
- No Guaranteed Model Selection – You may not always get GPT-5 or Gemini Pro. Other AI models may appear instead.
- No Saved Chats – Conversations aren’t stored. Each session is separate.
- Rate Limits – Heavy traffic can cause delays in responses.
- Voting Bias – Experienced users may recognize writing styles, but votes still provide valuable feedback.
Despite these minor issues, the benefits outweigh the downsides, especially for free access to cutting-edge AI.
Future of Free AI Access:
Platforms like LMArena are democratizing AI access. Instead of paying multiple subscriptions, you can:
- Test ChatGPT-5, Gemini 2.5 Pro, Claude, DeepSeek, and more.
- Explore unreleased models before public launch.
- Contribute to global AI research while enjoying free access.
- Experiment across domains, including coding, writing, education, research, and creative content.
This is not just a playground; it’s a gateway to premium AI tools and a stepping stone for anyone looking to grow their AI skills without financial barriers.
FAQs About Using ChatGPT-5 and LMArena
Q1: Is LMArena completely free?
Answer: Yes. You do not need an account, credit card, or subscription. Just visit the website and start using AI models.
Q2: Can I consistently access GPT-5 and Gemini Pro?
Answer: Access is not guaranteed. Models rotate frequently, so sometimes you’ll see GPT-5 or Gemini Pro, other times different models.
Q3: Do I need to create an account?
Answer: No. LMArena provides instant access without sign-up.
Q4: Are my chats saved?
Answer: No, conversations are not stored. Each session is temporary and primarily for testing purposes.
Q5: Is LMArena safe to use?
Answer: Yes. Built by UC Berkeley researchers, it is widely used in academic AI research.
Q6: Can I test unreleased models?
Answer: Absolutely. LMArena occasionally includes hidden experimental models before public release.
Final Thoughts
If you want to explore AI in 2025 without paying hefty subscriptions, LMArena is the most reliable platform to:
- Experience ChatGPT-5, Gemini 2.5 Pro, Claude, and DeepSeek for free.
- Access experimental AI models before launch.
- Contribute to global AI research and development.
- Compare AI models side-by-side and vote for the best solutions.
For tech enthusiasts, students, and researchers, this is a golden opportunity to interact with the next generation of AI tools completely free.
Start today at LMArena and discover the full potential of AI without spending a cent.
