Claude is Anthropic's family of language models. Built with Constitutional AI, your data is never used for training. Claude leads benchmarks in coding (82.1% SWE-bench), reasoning (91.3% GPQA Diamond), computer use (72.5% OSWorld), and natural writing.
Access Options
🟢 claude.ai — Web and desktop app for individual users.
🟢 Claude Code — Terminal CLI that understands project context, edits files, runs tests, and commits to Git.
🟢 API — Direct HTTP access for custom apps.
🟢 Amazon Bedrock / Google Vertex AI — Enterprise cloud deployment.
The Five Models
🟢 Haiku (small tier) — Fast and cheap for support, text processing, and automation.
🟢 Sonnet (mid tier) — Best all-rounder for coding, writing, analysis, research.
🟢 Opus (top tier) — Deep reasoning for complex research and legal analysis.
🟢 Sonnet 5 "Fennec" — Cutting-edge coding. Highest SWE-bench (82.1%).
🟢 Rule: Start with Sonnet 4.6. Use Opus for deep thinking, Haiku for automation.
Plans
🟢 Free — limited daily use.
🟢 Pro — more models plus Claude Code, with higher usage limits.
🟢 Max (5x) — roughly five times Pro's usage.
🟢 Max (20x) — the highest usage and priority.
Key Features
🟢 Projects — Workspaces with shared instructions across conversations.
🟢 Artifacts — Live content (HTML, code, diagrams) persisting across sessions. Up to 20MB each.
🟢 Extended Thinking — Claude thinks deeply before answering. Better for complex math and programming.
🟢 Claude Code — Project-wide context, multi-file editing, TDD, Git, and MCP connecting 6,000+ apps.
🟢 Computer Use — Desktop control when no API exists.
🟢 MCP — Connects Claude to GitHub, Slack, Jira, and Google Drive.
Pro Tips
🟢 Write clear prompts. Specify format, tone, audience, and length.
🟢 Use system prompts in Projects for consistent voice.
🟢 Use the 1M token context to analyze full codebases or contracts in one chat.
🟢 Save on costs with Prompt Caching (up to 90% savings) and Batch Requests (50% off).
🟢 Review output. Verify numbers, facts, and code before use.
Claude vs Competitors
🟢 vs ChatGPT: Claude leads in coding and reasoning. ChatGPT leads in image generation.
🟢 vs Gemini: Claude leads in coding and reasoning. Gemini leads in context (2M) and Google Workspace.
🟢 Ideal setup: Claude for coding and analysis, ChatGPT for images, Gemini for Google ecosystem.
For Businesses
🟢 Start with high-ROI use cases: support (Haiku), analysis (Sonnet), content (Sonnet), programming (Claude Code).
🟢 Begin with the Pro plan. No large budget needed. Check Anthropic's pricing page for current plans and limits.
🟢 Evaluate after one month and scale based on results.
Start at claude.ai and discover how Claude can transform your workflow.