Claude vs GPT
Claude and GPT are the two model families most vibe coders choose between: the models behind Claude.ai and ChatGPT. Both have a $20 a month chat plan and both work inside Cursor and GitHub Copilot. Claude is the stronger pick for long coding sessions across a large codebase. GPT is the better all-rounder if you want chat, images and coding in one subscription.
Updated September 18, 2026
Pick Claude if
You spend long sessions coding in one project, want an agent that works across a large codebase with Claude Code, or give your AI long, detailed instructions and need them followed.
More about Claude
Pick GPT if
You want one subscription for chat, images and coding, want a cheaper way in with ChatGPT Go at $8 a month, or already work with Codex or Microsoft Azure.
More about GPTSide by side
| Fact | Claude | GPT |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Models | Models |
| Pricing | Freemium | Freemium |
| Free tier | Yes | Yes |
| Best for | Beginner | Not stated |
| Made by | Anthropic | OpenAI |
| Chat app | Claude.ai, free with usage limits; Pro is $20 a month | ChatGPT, free with limits; Go is $8 and Plus $20 a month |
| Coding tool | Claude Code, in the terminal, desktop app and IDEs | Codex, in the terminal, IDEs and the cloud |
| Also in | Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Amazon Bedrock and Google Vertex AI | Cursor, GitHub Copilot and Microsoft Azure |
| Good for | Long coding sessions and working across a large codebase | General chat, images and coding in one subscription |
Top models
Prices per 1M tokens through the API, live from OpenRouter. Chat app subscriptions are in the table above.
Claude
- Claude Fable 5.1
$10.00 in · $50.00 out · 1M memory, about 1,500 pages
- Claude Opus 5
$5.00 in · $25.00 out · 1M memory, about 1,500 pages
- Claude Sonnet 5
$2.00 in · $10.00 out · 1M memory, about 1,500 pages
GPT
- GPT-6 Astra
$10.00 in · $50.00 out · 1.1M memory, about 1,600 pages
- GPT-5.6 Sol
$2.00 in · $10.00 out · 1.1M memory, about 1,600 pages
- GPT-5.6 Terra
$2.00 in · $12.00 out · 1.1M memory, about 1,600 pages