ChatGPT vs Claude
A side-by-side look at pricing plans, free tiers, features, pros and cons, updated for 2026. ChatGPT has the lower starting price: about $8 a month, against $20 for Claude.
At a glance
Best for
Category
Pricing model
Starting price
Free plan
Made by
Based in
Rating
Key features
- Voice conversations
- File and image analysis
- Web search with sources
- Deep research
- Custom GPTs
- Projects and memory
- Projects with shared files
- Artifacts side panel
- Web search and research
- App connectors
- Image and PDF understanding
| Feature | ChatGPT | Claude |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | OpenAI's general assistant for writing, research, coding and images | Anthropic's assistant for long documents, writing and careful reasoning |
| Category | Chat assistants | Chat assistants |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Starting price | $8/mo | $20/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Made by | OpenAI | Anthropic |
| Based in | United States | United States |
| Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Key features |
|
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Pricing compared
ChatGPT has the lower starting price: about $8 a month, against $20 for Claude.
Free plan
Cheapest paid plan
Top plan
Free trial
6 plans
Free
Free
- Access to GPT models with limits
- Limited file uploads and image generation
Go
$8/mo
- Higher message and upload limits
- More image generation
- Longer memory
Plus
$20/mo
- Advanced reasoning models
- Deep research and agent mode
- Codex access
Pro
$100/mo
- Starting price; $200 and $500 tiers
- Highest usage limits
- Pro reasoning model
Business
$25/mo
- Per user, 2-seat minimum
- Shared workspace and admin controls
- No training on your data
Enterprise
Contact sales
- Enterprise security and SSO
- Expanded context and limits
- Dedicated support
6 plans
Free
Free
- Chat on web, desktop and mobile
- Web search, files and code execution
- Memory across conversations
Pro
$20/mo
- More usage than Free
- Claude Code
- Scheduled tasks
- Claude in Chrome and Microsoft 365
Max
$100/mo
- From $100; 5x or 20x Pro usage
- Higher output limits
- $100-$200/mo in API credits
Team Standard
$25/mo
- Per seat
- More usage than Pro
- Claude Code and Cowork
Team Premium
$125/mo
- Per seat
- 5x usage of standard seats
- Pooled API credits
Enterprise
$20/seat + usage
- Billed annually, 20-seat minimum
- Usage at API rates
- Admin spend controls
Prices in USD, checked Oct 28, 2026 or later. Plans change often, so confirm on each tool's site before you buy.
Pros and cons
ChatGPT
- Handles a very wide range of tasks
- Strong voice mode on mobile
- Large ecosystem of custom GPTs
- Best models and limits sit on paid plans
- Free and Go tiers show ads
- Can state wrong facts confidently
Claude
- Natural, well-structured writing
- Handles very long files well
- Strong at code and analysis
- Usage caps reset on a timer
- No built-in image generation
- Heavy users need the pricier Max plan
Which one should you choose?
Choose ChatGPT if you want:
- Handles a very wide range of tasks
- Strong voice mode on mobile
- Large ecosystem of custom GPTs
Watch out: best models and limits sit on paid plans.
Choose Claude if you want:
- Natural, well-structured writing
- Handles very long files well
- Strong at code and analysis
Watch out: usage caps reset on a timer.
ChatGPT vs Claude FAQ
What is the difference between ChatGPT and Claude?
ChatGPT: OpenAI's general assistant for writing, research, coding and images. Claude: Anthropic's assistant for long documents, writing and careful reasoning. Both are chat assistants tools.
Is ChatGPT or Claude cheaper?
ChatGPT has the lower starting price: about $8 a month, against $20 for Claude.
Do ChatGPT and Claude have free plans?
ChatGPT: Yes. Claude: Yes.
Who makes ChatGPT?
ChatGPT is made by OpenAI, based in United States.
Who makes Claude?
Claude is made by Anthropic, based in United States.
Which should I choose, ChatGPT or Claude?
Choose ChatGPT if you value handles a very wide range of tasks and strong voice mode on mobile. Choose Claude if you value natural, well-structured writing and handles very long files well.