Anthropic launches new Max plan for Claude AI
A premium tier offering up to 20x more usage for power users.
Anthropic has introduced a new subscription tier for individual users of its Claude AI assistant. Announced today, the Max plan is positioned as a premium option for power users who require significantly higher usage limits than the existing Pro plan provides.
Key details of the Max plan
The Max plan represents Anthropic's response to consistent feedback from its most active users who have requested expanded access to Claude. According to the announcement, the plan offers variable usage levels that can be adjusted as users' needs change.
"Today we're introducing the Max plan—designed for those who collaborate with Claude extensively and need expanded access for their most important work," states Anthropic in its official announcement. "The top request from our most active users has been expanded Claude access. The new Max plan delivers exactly that."
The new tier comes with two initial usage options:
- Expanded Usage: Priced at $100 per month, this level provides 5x more usage than the Pro plan and is described as "ideal for frequent users who work with Claude on a variety of tasks."
- Maximum Flexibility: At $200 per month, this level offers 20x more usage than Pro and is targeted at "daily users who collaborate often with Claude for most tasks."
Both options are billed monthly, in contrast to the Pro plan which costs €15 (approximately $16) per month when billed annually.
Features beyond increased usage limits
The Max plan includes all features available in the Pro plan, with several additional benefits:
- Substantially more usage for working with Claude
- Scale-adjustable usage based on specific needs
- Higher output limits for "better and richer responses and Artifacts"
- Priority access to Anthropic's newest features and models
- Priority access during high traffic periods
"With up to 20x higher usage limits, you can maintain momentum on your most demanding projects with little disruption," notes Anthropic in explaining the primary benefit of the new plan.
The introduction of the Max plan comes at a time when Anthropic has been rapidly expanding Claude's capabilities. On March 20, 2025, just 20 days before the Max plan announcement, the company launched web search capabilities for Claude, allowing the AI assistant to access current information online to improve response accuracy.
In February 2025, Anthropic also introduced an "extended thinking" feature for Claude 3.7 Sonnet, which enables the model to spend more time processing complex problems. This capability is available to Pro, Team, Enterprise, and API users, positioning it as a premium feature that allows Claude to "think more deeply about trickier questions."
The Max plan appears designed to capitalize on these recent capability enhancements by offering a tier for users who need both extensive usage and access to Claude's most advanced features.
Target audience and use cases
Anthropic has outlined specific scenarios where the Max plan would be beneficial:
- Users who need extended conversations to refine and perfect their work
- Those working with substantial documents and complex data regularly
- People who face deadlines that can't wait for standard usage limits
- Users who integrate Claude throughout their daily workflow for various tasks
"More usage unlocks more possibilities to collaborate with Claude, whether for work or life," Anthropic states. "At work, it means you can build Projects around any work task—whether it be writing, software, or data analysis—and really collaborate with Claude until your outcomes are just right."
The company also highlights reflective and decision-making scenarios as ideal use cases for the Max plan: "Whether you're organizing your day, navigating difficult questions and decisions, or preparing for a high-stakes moment, the Max plan ensures Claude is there with you at every step."
Pricing structure across Anthropic's product line
With the addition of the Max plan, Anthropic now offers several tiers for individual and team users:
- Pro: €15 per month billed annually, aimed at "everyday productivity"
- Max: Starting from €90 per month (approximately $100) billed monthly, with options at different usage levels
- Team: €23 per month per member (minimum 5 members) billed annually, designed for organizations
All pricing shown for European users includes a note that 19% VAT (the standard rate in Germany) will be charged at checkout, indicating regional pricing variations.
Availability
According to Anthropic, the Max plan is available immediately in all regions where Claude is offered. Users can sign up or upgrade through the claude.ai/upgrade page.
This tiered approach to pricing mirrors strategies employed by other AI companies that have introduced premium plans to monetize their most active users while maintaining broader accessibility through lower-cost or free options.
Timeline of recent Claude developments
- February 24, 2025: Anthropic introduces "extended thinking" capability for Claude 3.7 Sonnet
- March 20, 2025: Web search functionality launches for paid Claude users in the United States
- April 9, 2025: Max plan announced with up to 20x higher usage limits than Pro plan