Both top plans start at $100 a month. ChatGPT Pro now comes in three tiers, $100, $200 and $500, and only the $500 tier gets OpenAI's Ultrafast models. Claude Max comes in two, $100 for 5x Pro usage and $200 for 20x, and includes monthly API credits plus Claude Code. Pick ChatGPT Pro if you live in Codex and deep research; pick Claude Max for long writing, analysis and background tasks with Claude.
I read OpenAI's help article on ChatGPT Pro tiers and its pricing page, and Anthropic's help article on the Max plan and Claude's pricing page, so everything here is what each company says as of October 2026. Both plans are for people who hit the limits of a normal paid plan every week. If that isn't you yet, the lower-tier plans are fine.
ChatGPT Pro and Claude Max side by side
| ChatGPT Pro | Claude Max | |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly tiers | Pro 100 $100, Pro 200 $200, Pro 500 $500 | Max 5x $100, Max 20x $200 |
| Usage | Pro 200 more than Pro 100; Pro 500 the highest | 5x or 20x the Pro plan's usage |
| Fastest models | Ultrafast models only on Pro 500 | Priority access to newest models and features |
| Included | Pro models, Codex, deep research, image creation, memory, file uploads | Claude Code, longer background tasks, monthly API credits |
| Developer extras | Longer Codex sessions | Monthly credits for the Claude API |
| Billing | Monthly plans | Monthly |
| Free plan below it (as of October 2026) | Yes, ChatGPT has a free plan | Yes, Claude has a free plan |
Inside the three ChatGPT Pro tiers
OpenAI's help centre now lists three monthly Pro plans: Pro 100 at $100, Pro 200 at $200 and Pro 500 at $500. Each step adds usage, and Pro 500 is the only one that includes the Ultrafast versions of OpenAI's top models. Every Pro tier includes Pro models, Codex, deep research, image creation, memory and file uploads.
One detail matters if you're thinking of joining now: OpenAI says new Pro 200 subscriptions come with a lower usage allowance than before, while eligible existing subscribers keep the earlier allowance for a short grandfathering period. The price stays at $200. If you need the most headroom, Pro 500 is the plan OpenAI describes as having the highest included usage.
Inside Claude Max 5x and 20x
Anthropic's Max plan has two tiers. Max 5x is $100 a month and gives five times the Pro plan's usage; Max 20x is $200 a month for twenty times. Both come with priority access to new models and features, Claude Code for terminal coding, and longer multi-step tasks such as reports, spreadsheets and presentations that keep running in the background.
Max also includes monthly credits for the Claude API, which Claude's pricing page puts at $100 to $200 a month depending on tier, so a developer can build on the platform without a separate bill. Max is billed monthly, and the help centre notes there's no standard discounted pricing for individual plans.
If Claude is the one you're leaning towards, read Claude Pro vs Max.
Coding, writing or speed: matching the plan to the work
- You code most of the day: try both, since ChatGPT Pro includes Codex and Claude Max includes Claude Code.
- You need the very fastest responses: ChatGPT Pro 500 is the only plan here with Ultrafast models.
- You write long reports, proposals or analysis: Claude Max, with background tasks that keep going while you work.
- You also build with the API: Claude Max includes monthly API credits.
- You're hitting limits but not daily: the $100 tier of either plan is the sensible first step.
If you're deciding between the tools themselves first, read how ChatGPT compares with Gemini for real marketing work, and for everyday prompts that get more from either plan, try these ChatGPT prompt templates for work.
My advice on ChatGPT Pro or Claude Max
Don't jump straight to the $200 tiers. Start with the $100 plan from the assistant you already use most, and only move up if you're hitting the limit every week. If you can't decide, I'd let your work choose: heavy coding and deep research lean towards ChatGPT Pro, while long-form writing and multi-step document work lean towards Claude Max.
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For the rest of the series, see the ChatGPT Prompts and Limits: 30 Guides to Fun Prompts, Photo Edits and Daily Caps.
Frequently asked questions
How much is ChatGPT Pro?
OpenAI lists three monthly Pro plans as of October 2026: Pro 100 at $100, Pro 200 at $200 and Pro 500 at $500.
How much is Claude Max?
Max 5x is $100 a month and Max 20x is $200 a month, according to Anthropic's help centre.
Which plan includes API credits?
Claude Max. Anthropic says Max plans include monthly credits for the Claude API.
Which ChatGPT Pro plan has Ultrafast models?
Only Pro 500. OpenAI says Pro 100 and Pro 200 don't include Ultrafast.
Can I pay for Claude Max yearly?
No. Claude's pricing page shows Max billed monthly, and the help centre says there's no standard discounted pricing for individual plans.
