Our verdict: start with Claude Chat, which is free. Move to Cowork when you want Claude to do the work across your files and apps, and pick Claude Code if you build software. Artifacts come free with Chat, so you get them either way.
Claude isn't just a chatbot anymore. Anthropic now sells four ways to use it: Chat, Artifacts, Cowork and Claude Code. They share one subscription, but each one does a different job, and most people only need one or two.
Claude Chat
Artifacts
Cowork
Claude Code
What each Claude plan costs
You don't buy these products one by one. One Claude plan unlocks everything at that level, and the Max tiers only raise how much you can use.
The 4 Claude tools at a glance
Claude Chat- Web, desktop and mobile apps
- Web search, file uploads, Memory
- Connectors to your other apps
The catch: it answers more than it does.
Artifacts- Docs, decks, dashboards and small tools
- Opens beside the chat, saved to a tab
- Exports to Word, PDF or PowerPoint
The catch: it's a feature of Chat, not an app.
Cowork- Works in folders you choose
- Uses your browser and apps
- Runs scheduled tasks unattended
The catch: paid plans only.
Claude Code- Terminal, VS Code, JetBrains, desktop, web
- Edits code and runs commands
- Runs tests and opens pull requests
The catch: built for people who code.
Prices and where they work
Prices checked October 23, 2026, on Anthropic's own pricing page.
| Tool | Cheapest plan with it | Where you use it | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Claude Chat | Free; Pro $20/mo ($17 billed yearly) | claude.ai, desktop app, iOS, Android | Questions, writing, research |
| Artifacts | Free, every plan | Beside any Claude conversation | Docs, decks, dashboards, small tools |
| Cowork | Claude Pro, $20/mo | Desktop app (Mac, Windows), web, mobile, Chrome side panel | Files, spreadsheets, browser tasks |
| Claude Code | Claude Pro, $20/mo | Terminal, VS Code, JetBrains, desktop, web, iOS, Android | Building and fixing software |
| More usage | Max 5x $100/mo, Max 20x $200/mo | Everywhere above | Long, heavy sessions |
What each one can do
| Feature | Chat | Artifacts | Cowork | Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| On the free plan | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Works in files on your computer | Uploads | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Uses your browser | – | ✗ | ✓ | – |
| Runs tasks on a schedule | – | ✗ | ✓ | – |
| Phone app | ✓ | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Works with GitHub | – | ✗ | – | ✓ |
| No coding needed | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
– means Anthropic hasn't said.
Claude Chat: where most people should start
Open claude.ai, the desktop app or the phone app, and ask. Chat handles research, writing, brainstorming and questions about the PDFs, images and spreadsheets you upload. Even the free plan includes web search, Memory and connectors, with up to five Projects.
Pro at $20 a month adds Opus, the Research mode and more usage. The limit is that Chat mostly answers. It can't reach the files on your computer unless you upload them.
Artifacts: the things Claude makes for you
Artifacts aren't a separate product. When you ask for a document, deck, dashboard or small interactive tool, Claude opens it beside the chat, where you can edit it, return to it later from the Artifacts tab and share it.
Exports depend on the type: documents go to Word or PDF, decks to PowerPoint or Google Slides. Artifacts are on every plan, and Dashboards are a beta for paid plans.
Cowork: Claude that does the work
Cowork launched in January 2026 as Claude Code for people who don't code. Give it a goal and it works in the folders you choose, uses your browser and apps, and runs scheduled tasks without you. It asks before it deletes anything.
It's on every paid plan. The desktop app is the full version, with your local files and browser; web and mobile reach your files only while the desktop app is open. On Pro and Max, Anthropic is folding Cowork into the main Claude app, so there's no separate mode to pick. You just describe the task.
Claude Code: the developer's tool
Claude Code is Anthropic's coding agent. It reads your project, edits files and runs commands, asking permission first, and it uses tools like Git to run tests and open pull requests on GitHub or GitLab.
It started in the terminal, but it now runs in VS Code, JetBrains IDEs, the desktop app, the web at claude.ai/code and the phone apps. It needs Pro or Max, and it's overkill if you don't write software.
Can you use more than one?
Yes, and that's the point of one plan. Brainstorm in Chat, turn the result into a deck as an Artifact, hand the file sorting to Cowork, and give the build to Claude Code. On Pro, all four cost the same $20 a month.
What about Claude in Chrome, Design and Team?
Claude Design, Slides and Docs are artifact makers included on every plan, even Free. Claude in Chrome and Claude for Microsoft 365 and Outlook come with Pro. Team costs $20 a seat a month billed yearly, for 2 to 150 seats, with Claude Code on every seat.
Which one should you use?
The verdict
Start with Claude Chat for free, and you'll get Artifacts with it. Upgrade to Pro at $20 a month when you want Cowork to do the work across your files or Claude Code to build software, since one plan covers both.
FAQ
What is the difference between Claude Chat, Code, Cowork, and Artifacts?
Claude Chat is the everyday chat on web, desktop and mobile. Artifacts are the docs, decks, dashboards and small tools Claude makes beside the chat. Cowork is Claude doing hands-on tasks across your files, browser and apps. Claude Code is Anthropic's coding agent for the terminal, IDEs, desktop and web. Chat and Artifacts are free; Cowork and Code need a paid plan.
Do I need Claude Pro to use Claude Code?
Yes. Claude Code isn't part of the free plan. Claude Pro at $20 a month ($17 billed yearly) includes it, and Max at $100 or $200 a month gives you 5x or 20x Pro's usage for long sessions.
When should I use Claude Cowork instead of Claude Chat?
Use Cowork when you want Claude to do the work rather than answer: sort files in a folder you choose, gather information from websites or run a task on a schedule. For questions and writing, Chat is enough. On Pro and Max the two are merging, so you just describe the task in any conversation.
Are Claude Artifacts included with Claude Pro?
Yes. Artifacts are on every plan, including Free. They need Code execution and file creation turned on in Settings, and Dashboards are a beta for paid plans.
Can I use all four Claude products with one subscription?
Yes. Claude Pro at $20 a month includes Chat, Artifacts, Cowork and Claude Code. Max at $100 or $200 a month raises usage across all of them. There's no separate subscription for each product.