ChatGPT Pro 500 vs Claude Ultra
$500/mo vs $200/mo: choose by included models and usage limits. API usage is separate.
| Compare | ChatGPT Pro 500 | Claude Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly USD | $500/mo | $200/mo |
| Included models | GPT-6.1 Sol, GPT-6 Astra, GPT-6 Luna, GPT-5.6 Terra, GPT-5 Thinking Mini, Codex, GPT-6 Astra Ultrafast, GPT-6.1 Sol Ultrafast | Claude Fable 5.2, Claude Opus 5.5, Claude Sonnet 5.5, Claude Haiku 5.5 |
| Billing | monthly | monthly |
| Verified · Monthly USD source · Included models source · How we verify → | ||
Claude Ultra is $300/mo cheaper · Updated 2026-11-12
Which one should you pick?
Pick ChatGPT Pro 500 if you want
- GPT-6.1 Sol as your main model
- deep research
- image generation
Pick Claude Ultra if you want
- Claude Fable 5.2 as your main model
- a $300/mo lower bill
Claude Ultra is $300/mo cheaper. Based on listed plan terms; check usage limits before upgrading.
| ChatGPT Pro 500 | $500/mo $6,000 per year at the monthly rate · usage: Highest Pro allowance |
|---|---|
| Claude Ultra | $200/mo $2,400 per year at the monthly rate · usage: 10× Pro weekly |
Listed monthly prices · How we verify →
| Attribute | ChatGPT Pro 500 | Claude Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $500/mo | $200/mo |
| Best for | Highest Pro usage & Ultrafast | All-day Claude and agents |
| Usage | Highest Pro allowance | 10× Pro weekly |
| Billing | monthly | monthly |
| Audience | consumer | power-user |
| Models | GPT-6.1 Sol, GPT-6 Astra, GPT-6 Luna, GPT-5.6 Terra, GPT-5 Thinking Mini, Codex, GPT-6 Astra Ultrafast, GPT-6.1 Sol Ultrafast | Claude Fable 5.2, Claude Opus 5.5, Claude Sonnet 5.5, Claude Haiku 5.5 |
| Key perks | Highest Pro allowance; Astra & Sol Ultrafast; $500/mo API credits | $200/mo API credits; Fable 5.2 within weekly limit; Sheets & Whiteboards (beta) |
| Context window | Not fixed per plan | Not fixed per plan |
| Web search | Yes | Yes |
| Deep research | Yes | Not listed |
| Image generation | Yes | Not listed |
| Coding agent | Yes | Yes |
| File uploads & analysis | Yes | Not listed |
| API credits included | Yes | Yes |
| Verified | Price 2026-11-12 · models 2026-11-12 | Price 2026-11-12 · models 2026-11-12 |
✓ listed in the provider's current plan terms · — not listed (may still be available) · Pricing data: How we verify →
Usage limits in full
- ChatGPT Pro 500
- Any unlimited Pro access is subject to abuse guardrails. Work and Codex allowance doubled automatically; weekly GPT-6 Pro message limits are unchanged. Highest included usage among Pro tiers. GPT-6 Astra and GPT-6.1 Sol Ultrafast consume included allowance at 8x Standard and purchased credits at 6x Standard; these are usage-accounting multipliers, not speed guarantees. Includes $500/month in claimable API credits. Claim after seven paid days by linking an API organization owned under the same email. First grant is prorated; unused credits expire at billing-cycle end without rollover. Credits cover eligible API Platform usage, not Codex via API keys or extra ChatGPT/signed-in Codex limits. API usage uses purchased credits after free credits; requests fail if no balance remains. Free trials and complimentary subscriptions do not qualify. The benefit may change or end; API terms and rate limits apply.
- Claude Ultra
- 10x Pro usage every week. No five-hour cap for verified accounts; unverified accounts have a temporary limit, removed automatically after account verification. Fable uses up to half the shared weekly allowance, not an additional pool. Continue beyond included limits with separately paid usage credits. Includes $200/month in claimable Claude Platform API credits. $200/month Claude Platform API credits. Claim after seven days on an active eligible plan by linking one Console organization. Credits refresh monthly, expire without rollover and cover direct Claude Platform API usage, not interactive Claude Code, app extra usage or third-party clouds. API requests stop without other credits when exhausted; API billing is separate. Claude Duet research preview requires waitlist access, initially for US Pro, Max, and Ultra subscribers; shares existing plan limits, including background checks and tasks. No separate Duet allowance. Fable 5.2 launch: 1–3 Fable resets (under 6 months: 1; 6–12 months: 2; over 12 months: 3), based on first paid bill. Requires paid billing before November 9, 2026, 10 am PT and, for Team, seat membership before that cutoff. Resets expire March 8, 2027 at 11:59 pm PT; restore Fable weekly usage and any five-hour window, never raise limits. Canceling or downgrading forfeits unused resets.
Everything each plan lists
Only in ChatGPT Pro 500
- +Pro models
- +Codex
- +deep research
- +image creation
- +memory and file uploads
- +GPT-6 Astra Ultrafast
- +GPT-6.1 Sol Ultrafast
- +$500/month claimable API credits
Only in Claude Ultra
- +Claude Sonnet 5.5 and Claude Haiku 5.5
- +web, desktop, and mobile chat
- +web search
- +Artifacts, Claude Design, Slides, and Docs
- +Claude Opus 5.5
- +Claude Code
- +projects
- +usage credits available separately
- +Claude Fable 5.2 within up to 50% of shared weekly limits
- +priority at high-traffic times
- +$200/month Claude Platform API credits. Claim after seven days on an active eligible plan by linking one Console organization. Credits refresh monthly, expire without rollover and cover direct Claude Platform API usage, not interactive Claude Code, app extra usage or third-party clouds. API requests stop without other credits when exhausted; API billing is separate.
- +Claude Duet research preview: waitlist, initially US Pro, Max, and Ultra subscribers
- +10x Pro weekly usage; verified accounts have no five-hour limit
- +Personal Finance beta: US only
- +Claude Data; Claude Sheets and Whiteboards (beta)
How to decide
Claude Ultra is $300/mo cheaper. Picking between ChatGPT Pro 500 and Claude Ultra usually comes down to three things: which models you want access to, how much you'll actually use, and what ecosystem you already live in. Still unsure? The Subscription vs API calculator tells you the break-even usage where pay-as-you-go API access would be cheaper than either subscription.
Frequently asked questions
What is the price difference between ChatGPT Pro 500 and Claude Ultra?
Claude Ultra costs $200/mo and ChatGPT Pro 500 costs $500/mo, a difference of $300/month (about $3600/year). Pricing verified 2026-11-12.
Which AI models are included with ChatGPT Pro 500 vs Claude Ultra?
ChatGPT Pro 500 bundles GPT-6.1 Sol, GPT-6 Astra, GPT-6 Luna, GPT-5.6 Terra, GPT-5 Thinking Mini, Codex, GPT-6 Astra Ultrafast, GPT-6.1 Sol Ultrafast. Claude Ultra bundles Claude Fable 5.2, Claude Opus 5.5, Claude Sonnet 5.5, Claude Haiku 5.5. The model lineup is usually the most important factor — pick the plan whose flagship models match the work you actually do.
Is ChatGPT Pro 500 or Claude Ultra better value for power users?
ChatGPT Pro 500 costs $300/month more than Claude Ultra. Exclusive model access is not established by the current recorded evidence. Compare the recorded usage, features and billing terms above; a higher price alone does not establish a higher allowance or better value.
Can I switch between ChatGPT Pro 500 and Claude Ultra?
Check each provider's billing terms before switching. Monthly, annual and per-seat commitments can differ; cancellation usually stops renewal rather than refunding the current period.