Anthropic vs OpenAI Pricing (2026)
How do these two stack up on price? Here's what each one costs, what you get, and where the value sits.
| Anthropic | OpenAI | |
|---|---|---|
| Starts at | $20/mo | $8/mo |
| Number of plans | 3 | 4 |
| Free plan | ||
| Free trial | — | — |
| Pricing model | per-seat | per-seat |
Price is one row. To weigh the features too, use our feature comparison template →
Free
- Chat on web, desktop, and mobile
- Search the web, create files, and run code
- Memory across conversations
- Connect your apps and tools
- Create Artifacts
Pro
- More usage*
- Hand off and schedule tasks
- Claude Design, Slides, Docs
- Claude Science
- Projects
- More Claude models
- Claude in Chrome and Microsoft 365
Max
- Choose 5x or 20x more usage than Pro*
- Higher output limits for all tasks
- Early access to advanced Claude features
- Priority access at high traffic times
Free
- Unlimited text chats with GPT-5.6 Luna
- Limited messages with uploads
- Limited image creation
- Limited voice chats
- Limited deep research
- Limited memory and context
- Limited Codex access
- Limited ChatGPT Work access on desktop
Go
- More messages with tools
- More uploads
- More image creation
- More voice chats
- Longer memory
Plus
Popular- Advanced reasoning models with GPT-6
- Expanded messages and uploads
- More complex and accurate image creation
- Expanded deep research
- Expanded memory and context
- Projects, scheduled tasks, and custom GPTs
- Expanded Codex usage
- Expanded access to ChatGPT Work on desktop, web, and mobile
- Early access to new features
Pro
- Your choice of 3 usage tiers
- Pro reasoning powered by GPT-6 Astra
- Longer Codex and ChatGPT Work sessions
- Dot, your always-on agent
- Unlimited and faster image creation
- Maximum deep research
- Maximum memory and context
- Expanded projects, tasks, and custom GPTs
- Research preview of new features
Anthropic vs OpenAI FAQ
- Which one is cheaper?
- OpenAI is the cheaper option, starting at $8/mo vs $20/mo for Anthropic.
- Can I use either one for free?
- Both offer free plans, so you can try each without paying. Start with whichever fits your workflow better and upgrade when you hit the limits.
- How do they charge?
- Both use a per-seat model, so the comparison is straightforward — it comes down to features and limits at each price point.
- Which one is a better deal?
- Depends on what you need. Anthropic: This mirrors the ChatGPT Plus playbook almost exactly at $20, putting Anthropic squarely in the mainstream premium-consumer bracket rather than undercutting on price. The Max tier is the differentiator — it's a bet that some users will pay well above the standard $20 ceiling for more headroom, going after the same power-user segment OpenAI splits between Plus and Team/Enterprise. OpenAI: At $20/mo, Plus sits right at the now-standard price point for consumer AI subscriptions (matching Claude, Gemini Advanced), so they're not competing on price at the mid-tier — they're competing on being the default. The $8 Go tier is a newer, cheaper wedge clearly aimed at price-sensitive users tempted by free alternatives, while Pro at $100+ chases power users and prosumers away from needing API access.
Still deciding? See the best Anthropic alternatives or the best OpenAI alternatives, ranked with verified pricing.
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