Description
Claude is Anthropic’s AI assistant, available through a chat interface on web, iOS, Android, and desktop, as well as through the Claude API for developers. Every plan, including Free, includes web search, memory across conversations, file creation and code execution, and the ability to connect tools and context through remote MCP connectors. Paid Pro and higher plans add Claude Code for terminal-based coding, Claude Cowork for multi-step task delegation, unlimited Projects, Research, and access to more Claude models. Usage across chat, Claude Code, and other surfaces draws from one shared pool that resets on a rolling five-hour window, with paid plans adding weekly caps. Team and Enterprise plans add centralized billing, SSO, audit logs, and other administrative controls for organizations. Separately, developers can access Claude models directly through the pay-per-token Claude API rather than a flat subscription. It suits individuals who want a capable assistant for writing and research, developers who want an integrated coding agent, and organizations that need centralized administration and compliance controls.
Key Features
- Web search and memory — included even on the Free plan, letting Claude reference current information and past conversations.
- Claude Code and Claude Cowork — terminal-based coding agent and multi-step task delegation, included from Pro upward.
- Projects and Research — organize chats and documents into unlimited Projects, with a dedicated Research mode for deeper investigation.
- File creation and code execution — create and edit files and run code directly inside a conversation, on every plan.
- Connectors and MCP — connect Slack, Google Workspace, and other tools and context through remote Model Context Protocol servers.
- Claude for Microsoft 365 and Chrome — extends Claude into Microsoft 365 documents and browser-based tasks.
- Enterprise administration — SSO, SCIM, audit logs, custom data retention, and a compliance API on Team and Enterprise plans.
How It Works
Claude is used through a chat interface on the web, iOS, Android, or a desktop app, or through Claude Code in a terminal, IDE, or the desktop app’s Code tab. Every plan, including Free, includes web search, memory across conversations, and the ability to create files and execute code directly in a chat. Paid plans add Projects for organizing related chats and documents, Research for multi-step investigation, and access to more Claude models beyond the default. Usage across every surface, chat, Claude Code, and connected tools, draws from one shared pool tied to the account’s plan, resetting on a rolling five-hour session window with additional weekly caps on paid tiers. Team and Enterprise plans add centralized billing, admin controls for connectors, and security features like SSO and audit logs, managed from an organization-wide settings panel rather than per individual account.
Technical Architecture & Overview
- Core Engine: Anthropic’s Claude models, including the Opus, Sonnet, Haiku, and Fable families; model access and available models vary by plan.
- Deployment: Web app, native iOS and Android apps, desktop app (macOS, Windows), a Chrome browser extension, and a separate pay-per-token API through the Claude Platform console.
- API Surface: Claude API billed per million tokens by model, plus specific feature pricing (web search at $10 per 1,000 searches, Managed Agents at $0.08 per session-hour, 50 free code execution hours per day per organization).
- Known Limits: Context window is 200k tokens on Free, Pro, Max, and Team; Enterprise reaches 500k tokens on its default model. Usage limits are not published as fixed message counts and vary by conversation length, model, and feature use.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Free plan includes web search, memory, file creation, and code execution, not just basic chat | Anthropic does not publish exact message or usage counts for any plan; limits are described only in relative terms |
| Claude Code and Claude Cowork are included in every paid plan at no extra subscription | Usage across chat, Claude Code, and connectors shares one pool, so heavy coding sessions can reduce chat availability |
| Team plans allow mixing Standard and Premium seat types within one organization | Sonnet 5’s introductory API pricing ($2/$10 per million tokens) rises to standard pricing ($3/$15) after August 31, 2026 |
| Enterprise offers both a self-serve signup path and a traditional sales-assisted path | Enterprise pricing scales with per-token API usage on top of the $20/seat base, making total cost less predictable than a flat fee |
| No model training on user content by default across every plan, including Free | Context window is capped at 200k tokens on every plan except Enterprise’s default model |
Pricing
| Plan | Price |
|---|---|
| Free | $0/month |
| Pro | $17/month billed annually ($20/month billed monthly) |
| Max | From $100/month (5x or 20x more usage than Pro) |
Platform Availability
Web | iOS | Android | macOS | Windows | Chrome | API
Best For
Individuals | Writers and researchers | Developers | Teams and enterprises
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Claude free to use?
Yes. The Free plan costs $0 with no credit card required, and includes web search, memory, file creation, and code execution alongside standard chat, per Anthropic’s official pricing page.
Is Claude Code included in a Claude subscription?
Yes. Claude Code is included in every paid plan starting at Pro, sharing the same usage pool as chat rather than requiring a separate purchase, according to Anthropic’s official FAQ.
What is the difference between Max 5x and Max 20x?
Both are usage tiers of the Max plan, giving five times or twenty times more usage per five-hour session than Pro respectively, with Max starting from $100 per month for the 5x tier.
How much does Claude Enterprise cost?
Enterprise pricing is $20 per seat per month plus usage billed at API rates, so total cost scales with the models and tasks a team runs, according to Anthropic’s official pricing page.
How does Claude differ from ChatGPT?
Claude bundles its coding agent (Claude Code) and task-delegation tool (Cowork) directly into every paid subscription tier, while ChatGPT bundles its Codex coding agent into its own ChatGPT plans under a separate credit-based usage system.
Similar Tools in This Directory
Also in this directory: ChatGPT, OpenAI’s assistant with bundled Codex access | Google Gemini AI, multimodal assistant integrated into Google Workspace | Meta AI, free assistant built into Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp | Perplexity AI, cited-answer research engine | Grok by xAI, real-time X and web search built into chat | Kimi AI, Moonshot’s agentic workspace with a free tier | GLM AI, Zhipu’s free chat backed by open models
