Claude vs Grok
A side-by-side look at pricing plans, free tiers, features, pros and cons, updated for 2026. Grok 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
- Projects with shared files
- Artifacts side panel
- Web search and research
- App connectors
- Image and PDF understanding
- Real-time X and web search
- DeepSearch research
- Grok Imagine images and video
- Voice mode
- Companion characters
| Feature | Claude | Grok |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Anthropic's assistant for long documents, writing and careful reasoning | Chat assistant with live X posts, web search, image and video tools |
| Category | Chat assistants | Chat assistants |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Starting price | $20/mo | $8/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Made by | Anthropic | SpaceX Super Intelligence (formerly xAI) |
| Based in | United States | United States |
| Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Key features |
|
|
Pricing compared
Grok 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
- 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
5 plans
Free
Free
- Limited Grok usage
- Web and X search
Plus
$8/mo
- X Subscription tier
- More Grok usage
- X Premium perks
Premium
$30/mo
- Higher Grok limits
- Advanced models
Super
$100/mo
- Much higher usage caps
- Priority access
Ultra
$200/mo
- Highest usage limits
- Top models and features
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
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
Grok
- Up-to-date answers from X posts
- Bundled with X and Cursor perks
- Fast image and video generation
- Looser moderation has drawn criticism
- Plans and names changed often
- Best models sit on higher tiers
Which one should you choose?
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.
Choose Grok if you want:
- Up-to-date answers from X posts
- Bundled with X and Cursor perks
- Fast image and video generation
Watch out: looser moderation has drawn criticism.
Claude vs Grok FAQ
What is the difference between Claude and Grok?
Claude: Anthropic's assistant for long documents, writing and careful reasoning. Grok: Chat assistant with live X posts, web search, image and video tools. Both are chat assistants tools.
Is Claude or Grok cheaper?
Grok has the lower starting price: about $8 a month, against $20 for Claude.
Do Claude and Grok have free plans?
Claude: Yes. Grok: Yes.
Who makes Claude?
Claude is made by Anthropic, based in United States.
Who makes Grok?
Grok is made by SpaceX Super Intelligence (formerly xAI), based in United States.
Which should I choose, Claude or Grok?
Choose Claude if you value natural, well-structured writing and handles very long files well. Choose Grok if you value up-to-date answers from x posts and bundled with x and cursor perks.