ChatGPT vs Claude

The main difference is which tools around the chat matter to you. Both write, analyze files, search the web, and help with code.

When to pick which

Customer emails, translations, budgets, or presentations: both can turn instructions and source material into editable outputs. Choose ChatGPT if you want research, custom GPTs, voice, and a built-in image generator alongside ChatGPT Work, for example to produce a sourced Word report, an Excel analysis, or a presentation. Choose Claude if Cowork should handle multistep tasks using files you authorize, or Claude should work directly in open Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook content; the relevant Office add-ins and a paid Claude plan are required for that Office workflow. Claude Design adds clickable prototypes, presentations, and drafts using your design system, but is not its own photo and illustration generator. For software projects, both Codex and Claude Code can explain repositories, edit files, run existing tests, and present changes for review. For bookkeeping preparation, both can structure receipt data or draft an expense summary, but amounts, formulas, and tax classification still need review. API usage is billed separately by both; the calculator below compares API costs only for these two providers.

Differences at a glance

Images and design: ChatGPT generates and edits photos and illustrations with a built-in image generator. Claude Design creates editable prototypes, presentations, and layouts without its own image model.
Office work: both create Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and PDF files. ChatGPT Work combines files, research, and enabled apps; Claude also offers Office agents for open Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook content.
Context: ChatGPT publishes limits by model and plan. Claude also has different limits for Chat, Code, and Cowork; its pricing table and dedicated context guide conflict, so no blanket Claude figure is given here.
Entry plans: both have a Free plan. Regular USD subscriptions: ChatGPT Go $8/month; Claude Pro $20/month or $200/year. Regional prices can differ.
Teams: ChatGPT Business and Claude Team offer Standard and Premium seats. Claude Enterprise charges for all usage on top of its annually billed seat fee; it is not a low-cost all-inclusive subscription.
Coding: Codex and Claude Code can implement features, address bugs, and run tests. ChatGPT Work and Claude Cowork also bring multistep agent work to research and office files.
Heavy use: ChatGPT Pro comes as Pro 100, Pro 200 and Pro 500 at $100, $200 and $500 per month; Ultrafast is included only in Pro 500. Claude Max 5x and Max 20x cost from $100 and $200 per month for 5 or 20 times Pro usage. Additional model and weekly limits can apply. These are individual subscriptions, not team plans.

ChatGPT vs Claude
Criterion	ChatGPT	Claude
Free access	Free plan	Free plan
Paid from	Go · 8 USDmonth	Pro · $17 / $20Month

Published plans by vendor

Each vendor separately. The same row does not mean the same plan. Prices follow the selected price region.

ChatGPT

Free · freefree
Go · 8 USDmonth
Plus · 20 USDmonth
Pro 100 · 100 USDmonth
Pro 200 · 200 USDmonth
Pro 500 · 500 USDmonth
Business (annual billing) · 20 USDmonth, billed annually
Business (monthly billing) · 25 USDmonth
Business Premium (annual) · 100 USDmonth, billed annually
Business Premium (monthly) · 125 USDmonth
Enterprise · contact salescustom

Claude

Free · freePermanent
Pro · $17 / $20Month
Max 5x · $100Month
Max 20x · $200Month
Team · $20 / $125Seat and month
Enterprise · $20seat and month, billed annually · API usage is charged in addition to the seat price

Calculate API usage

API prices are separate from the chat subscription. Below you can compare models from both vendors in the calculator. This is not a quality score.

ChatGPT

ChatGPT is the broader workspace for text, code, images, voice, and reusable assistants.

Details Visit site (opens in a new tab)

Claude

Claude emphasizes long context and dedicated workspaces for code, files, and project work.

Details Visit site (opens in a new tab)

Official sources

ChatGPT

ChatGPT pricing (openai.com)
ChatGPT (chatgpt.com)

Claude

Claude pricing (claude.com)
Claude (claude.ai)

FAQ

Can ChatGPT and Claude be tried for free?

ChatGPT: Free plan. Claude: Free plan.

Where are the vendors of ChatGPT and Claude based?

ChatGPT: OpenAI OpCo, LLC, USA. Claude: Anthropic PBC, USA.

Are ChatGPT and Claude listed in the same category?

ChatGPT is listed under the “Productivity” category, Claude under “Productivity.”

How many pricing tiers do ChatGPT and Claude offer?

ChatGPT documents 11 plans, Claude documents 6 plans, each with price, billing period, and included features.

Where do the price and product details for ChatGPT and Claude come from?

For ChatGPT and Claude, prices, limits, and product details are each based on the current official vendor page. Missing values stay marked as not published rather than being estimated.