# Claude free tier vs Claude Code

> Yes, Claude.ai is free to try with usage limits. No, Claude Code is not free: Anthropic requires Pro, Max, Team, Enterprise, or a Console API account to run it. If you came here for coding, start from that distinction.

- Source: https://awaitful.com/free/claude
- Facts checked: 2026-08-11
- Official pricing: https://www.anthropic.com/pricing

People search "Claude free" for two different products. Claude.ai is the chat product with a free tier. Claude Code is the coding agent in the terminal and editor. Claude Code is not included on the free Claude.ai plan.

## Included

- Claude.ai free: web and app chat with rate limits that reset over time
- Access to current free-tier models Anthropic lists on the free plan
- Projects and higher limits unlock on paid plans, not on free

## Limits

- Free Claude.ai does not include Claude Code
- Free chat hits daily or rolling usage ceilings; exact caps change and are shown in-product
- Peak hours can mean slower or deferred free-tier capacity

## Plans

| Plan | Price | Summary |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Claude.ai Free | $0 | Chat only. No Claude Code. Usage-capped. |
| Pro | About $20/month | Includes Claude Code. Shared usage with chat on a rolling window. Annual billing is often cheaper. |
| Max | About $100 or $200/month | Higher Claude Code and chat capacity (commonly described as 5x or 20x Pro per session). |
| API (Console) | Pay per token | Claude Code can run against API credits with no Pro subscription; you pay for tokens used. |

## How to get more from the free tier

### If you only need chat

Stay on Claude.ai free, batch prompts, and watch the in-product limit meter. Do not expect Claude Code to log in on a free account.
### If you need Claude Code

Budget for Pro or API credits. Install Awaitful beside Claude Code so wait time can earn while you already pay for the agent - not instead of paying Anthropic.
### Confirm on Anthropic before you buy

Plan names and inclusions change. Check Anthropic's current pricing and Claude Code setup docs for what your account actually includes.

## Earn while your coding agent thinks

You already wait while the agent works. Awaitful can show one sponsored line on a surface you choose during that wait, and you keep 70% of what the advertiser paid for the line. Earnings depend on verified thinking time and whether advertisers are bidding that day. Payouts are available for United States bank accounts only today. Awaitful never reads your code, prompts, or files - you can verify that in the source, the egress manifest, and the CI test.

This does not replace a paid plan from the tool vendor. Earnings can help with cost over time when the auction has demand; they do not guarantee any monthly amount.

Install:

- One command: `npx awaitful`
- Open in editor: [VS Code](vscode:extension/awaitful.awaitful), [Cursor](cursor:extension/awaitful.awaitful), [Devin](devin:extension/awaitful.awaitful), [VSCodium](vscodium:extension/awaitful.awaitful)
- In a browser: [VS Code Marketplace](https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=awaitful.awaitful) or [Open VSX](https://open-vsx.org/extension/awaitful/awaitful)

## FAQ

### Is Claude free?

Claude.ai chat has a free tier with limits. Claude Code is not free; you need a paid Anthropic plan or API credits.
### Does the free Claude plan include Claude Code?

No. Anthropic's setup docs state that the free Claude.ai plan does not include Claude Code access.
### What is the cheapest way to run Claude Code?

Usually Claude Pro at about $20/month, or paying for API tokens through the Claude Console if that fits your usage better.
### Can Awaitful make Claude Code free?

No. Awaitful can pay you a share of ad revenue while Claude Code is thinking. It does not replace Anthropic's subscription or API bill, and it does not promise enough to cover Pro every month.
### Does Awaitful work with Claude.ai chat in the browser?

Not today. Awaitful runs while coding agents think in the editor and related placements. Browser-only chat is not supported yet.