Anthropic's New Max Plans: Claude Code and Usage Analysis
Anthropic recently launched their Max plans, offering enhanced usage limits for Claude, their AI assistant. These plans, priced at $100 and $200, provide significantly higher rate limits compared to the standard $20 plan. This article explores the features of these plans, their benefits for Claude Code users, and whether they represent a worthwhile investment.
Overview of the Max Plans
The Max plans offer the following advantages:
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$100 Plan: Provides five times the rate limits of the $20 plan.
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$200 Plan: Provides twenty times the usage compared to the base plan.
Initially limited to the web interface, these plans can now be used within Claude Code as well, eliminating the need for separate API key setup.
Rate Limits and Usage
All activity within Claude Code and the standard Claude interface contributes to the same usage limits. The number of messages you can send varies based on:
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Message length.
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Conversation length.
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File attachments (for the standard Claude interface).
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Project complexity and codebase size (for Claude Code).
Even with these variations, Anthropic provides estimates for the message capacity within a 5-hour window.
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$100 Plan: Approximately 225 messages or 10-20 coding tasks.
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$200 Plan: Approximately 900 messages or 40-80 coding tasks.
These limits are considered generous, potentially sufficient for developing entire applications with a limited number of prompts.
Model and Performance
The Max plans grant access to the Claude 3.7 Sonnet model. While users cannot directly control the thinking limit, Claude Code automatically manages it. Sonnet's performance is comparable to Gemini 1.5 Pro, making it a powerful tool for AI coding. The fact that you are getting the full model for this price is a significant advantage.
The terminal-based interface of Claude Code might be a limiting factor for some, but the tool's performance is considered exceptional. It supports MCP tools, enhancing its utility further.
Cost-Effectiveness and Comparison
For developers who frequently use AI coding tools like Rukode with models like Gemini 1.5 Pro or Sonnet, API costs can easily exceed $200 per month. The subscription model of the Max plans offers predictable pricing and access to the full model, unlike some alternatives like Cursor or Windsurf. These alternatives can truncate the models, compromising their performance.
The Claude Max plans offer a better experience because the full AI model is used. The $100 plan is likely sufficient for most users, offering a cost-effective way to access the power of Claude Code. The fact that most users already pay the $20 for the basic Claude plan makes the $100 plan that much more enticing.
Scriptability and Customization
Claude Code is scriptable, enabling users to create workflows using bash scripts. This extends its functionality beyond basic AI coding tasks, allowing for more complex automation.
Customization options are somewhat limited, but users can leverage rules files to define behaviors like "think through and propose solutions before implementing," improving the tool's overall effectiveness.
Recommendation
The Anthropic Max plans, particularly the $100 option, are highly recommended for those seeking a cost-effective and powerful AI coding solution. While tools like Rukode or Klein might offer superior coding capabilities due to heavy system prompts, the cost savings associated with Claude Code are significant.