PaidFrom $20/mo (Pro), usage on API

Claude Code pricing in 2026

Claude Code is paid. Subscription or usage billing required to get real work done. Here is the breakdown of how you pay, plus cheaper alternatives if it is not the right fit.

How you pay

Free tierNot offered for this tool.
Paid plansPaid plans: From $20/mo (Pro), usage on API.
Usage / APIUsage or API billing scales with how much you run.
Open sourceNot offered for this tool.

Pricing summary: From $20/mo (Pro), usage on API. Always confirm current plans on the official site.

Frequently asked questions

How much does Claude Code cost?

Claude Code is paid: From $20/mo (Pro), usage on API.

Is Claude Code free?

Claude Code does not have a free plan; from $20/mo (pro), usage on api.

Cheaper or alternative options

DeepSeekFreemiumLow-cost usage billingCompare
Gemini CLIOpen SourceFree tier, then usageCompare
MistralFreemiumFree tier + usage billingCompare
AiderOpen SourceFree, bring your own API keyCompare
Codex CLIPaidUsage billing on APICompare