Side-by-side comparison
ChatGPT vs Claude
Plans, free tiers and API access for ChatGPT and Claude, from each vendor's own pages. Last checked Oct 4, 2026.
The short answer
- Both ChatGPT and Claude have an ongoing free plan.
- On LiveBench (2026-06-25), Claude's best model (Claude Fable 5.1 Max Effort) scores 83.4 against 82.2 for ChatGPT's best (GPT-6 Astra Max Effort).
Pricing and features
- Plus$20/mo
- Pro$20/mo
- Max$100/mo
How to choose
ChatGPT and Claude are both general assistants with a free plan and a $20 per month paid tier (ChatGPT Plus, Claude Pro), so the entry price does not separate them. The differences are in how the paid ladder and limits are described. Claude lists a Max tier at $100 per month with 5x or 20x Pro usage, while only Plus is listed above ChatGPT's free plan. ChatGPT's listing says limits can tighten at peak demand and differ by model and feature. Claude's usage resets on rolling five-hour windows with weekly caps on paid tiers. Claude positions itself at knowledge workers who want long-context chat, file and code tools, and optional Claude Code or team workspaces. ChatGPT is aimed at individuals and teams wanting a general assistant for questions through longer writing and analysis. Both bill their APIs separately from the chat plans.
- ChatGPT: You want a general-purpose assistant for everyday questions, writing and analysis in browser and mobile apps, with a single $20 Plus tier.
- Claude: You expect heavy use and want a higher tier such as Max at $100 per month, or Claude Code and team workspaces on paid plans.
- Either: You only need to try an assistant first, since both offer a free plan with usage limits.
LiveBench results
Best-scoring model per vendor in the 2026-06-25 LiveBench release (14 OpenAI and 13 Anthropic configurations). Scores are out of 100.
Source: LiveBench, imported Oct 5, 2026. Explore every model.
Common questions
Which is cheaper, ChatGPT or Claude?
ChatGPT has the lower starting price ($20/mo versus $20/mo). Compare plans before choosing, since limits differ.
Is ChatGPT free?
Free plan. Free tier with limited messages and models
Is Claude free?
Free plan. Free plan at $0 with web, desktop, and mobile chat
Which scores higher on benchmarks, ChatGPT or Claude?
In the 2026-06-25 LiveBench release, GPT-6 Astra Max Effort scores 82.2 and Claude Fable 5.1 Max Effort scores 83.4 overall. Scores measure the benchmark, not your own workload.