Claude vs Claude Code
Claude is Anthropic’s general AI assistant, built around long documents, extended conversations, nuanced writing and analysis. It runs as a web, iOS and Android app and through an API, with a free plan and paid plans starting at $20 a month. Claude Code is a terminal-based agentic coding tool from Anthropic, built around completing coding tasks end to end by reading files, editing them, running tests and shell commands, and searching the web. It runs on the command line across Mac, Windows and Linux and is billed per token through the API, with no free plan. Claude Code adds terminal automation and scripting hooks; Claude adds mobile apps, file and image uploads, Projects, and a free tier.
Which to choose
Choose Claude if you need a general assistant for long documents, nuanced writing and analysis, or code explanation, especially with a free plan and mobile access.
Visit claude.aiChoose Claude Code if you are a developer comfortable in the terminal who wants an agent to edit files, run tests and shell commands, and automate coding tasks in existing tools.
Visit claude.ai/codeSide by side
| Detail | Claude | Claude Code |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Anthropic's AI assistant with a long context window, nuanced reasoning and strong performance on writing and analysis. | Terminal-based agentic coding tool from Anthropic that reads a codebase, edits files and runs commands to complete tasks end to end. |
| Pricing | Free tier | Pay as you go |
| Paid plans from | $20 per month | — |
| Free plan | Yes | No |
| Free trial | No | No |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android, API | Command line, Mac, Windows, Linux |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Checked against its site | Not yet | Not yet |
| Features |
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Written by AIToolMaps from the two listings, which come from each tool's official site. Full details: Claude · Claude Code.