What to know first
If you only occasionally hit the five-hour session limit, start with Pro. If you hit it often and subscribe on the web, Max 5x is the next step. Heavy Claude Code users sharing usage across devices should compare Max 20x. When subscribing through the App Store, local prices and converted amounts vary widely by region, so check AISub's price pages and the checkout page first.
How much do Claude Pro, Max 5x, and Max 20x cost?
These are the USD web prices listed on Anthropic's pricing page and Help Center. The Help Center says these prices are for web subscriptions and mobile pricing may vary; the pricing page notes that prices exclude tax.
| Plan | Monthly | Annual | Usage per five-hour session |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pro | $20/month | $17/month ($200 upfront) | Baseline (at least 5x Free, per Anthropic) |
| Max 5x | $100/month | Not offered | 5x Pro |
| Max 20x | $200/month | Not offered | 20x Pro |
Sources: Anthropic: Claude pricingAnthropic: What is the Max plan?
How are Claude usage limits calculated?
- Every plan's session limit resets on a rolling five-hour window; paid plans also have weekly limits.
- Max's weekly limit applies across all models and resets at a fixed time assigned to your account.
- Web, desktop, mobile, and Claude Code share one usage pool.
- There is no fixed message count; actual usage depends on the length and complexity of your conversations, the model you choose, and the features you use, and Anthropic may limit usage in other ways.
- After reaching a limit you can turn on usage credits at standard API rates; check current usage under Settings > Usage.
- The pricing page also lists $100 and $200 in monthly API credits for Max 5x and Max 20x.
Sources: Anthropic: Claude pricingAnthropic: What is the Max plan?
Per unit of session usage, is Max better value than Pro?
The following is AISub's calculation, not an official statement. Treat Pro's usage per five-hour session as 1 unit and divide the official monthly web price by the session multiplier to get the monthly cost per unit of session usage. This looks only at session usage and excludes weekly limits, whose values are not published.
| Plan | Monthly price | Session multiplier | Cost per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pro (monthly) | $20 | 1 | $20 |
| Pro (annual, per month) | $17 | 1 | $17 |
| Max 5x | $100 | 5 | $20 |
| Max 20x | $200 | 20 | $10 |
Monthly cost per unit of session usage = monthly price ÷ session multiplier relative to Pro
Pro monthly: $20 ÷ 1 = $20; Pro annual: $17 ÷ 1 = $17
Max 5x: $100 ÷ 5 = $20
Max 20x: $200 ÷ 20 = $10
Sources: Anthropic: Claude pricingAnthropic: What is the Max plan?
How much do App Store prices vary by region?
AISub collected Claude's App Store prices between 00:00 and 00:16 on October 29, 2026 (Singapore time), with prices in 166 of 175 regions. USD amounts below use exchange rates from 08:00 on October 30, 2026 (Singapore time), and the tax basis of App Store prices is marked as unknown.
US App Store prices for Max are higher than the official web prices: $124.99 for Max 5x and $249.99 for Max 20x, versus $100 and $200 on the web. See the Claude App Store regional price table.
| Plan | United States | Lowest converted | Highest converted | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pro | $20 | Pakistan, about $17.72 | Colombia, about $31.57 | About $20.12 |
| Max 5x | $124.99 | Indonesia, about $110.18 | Colombia, about $189.60 | About $127.67 |
| Max 20x | $249.99 | Indonesia, about $220.41 | Colombia, about $379.22 | About $253.07 |
Sources: AISub: Claude Pro App Store prices by regionAISub: Claude Max 5x App Store prices by regionAISub: Claude Max 20x App Store prices by regionAISub: Methodology
What are the local prices in Türkiye, Egypt, Japan, the UK, and elsewhere?
The table lists App Store local prices AISub collected in selected regions. Amounts in parentheses are approximate USD at the same exchange rates, for comparison only; the App Store checkout page shows what you are actually charged.
| Region | Pro | Max 5x | Max 20x |
|---|---|---|---|
| Türkiye | ₺999.99(about $20.03) | ₺6,999.99(about $140.24) | ₺12,999.99(about $260.44) |
| Egypt | E£999.99(about $17.84) | E£6,999.99(about $124.91) | E£12,999.99(about $231.97) |
| Nigeria | ₦29,900(about $22.21) | ₦199,900(about $148.49) | ₦399,900(about $297.05) |
| Sweden | 249 SEK(about $25.24) | 1,495 SEK(about $151.52) | 2,995 SEK(about $303.55) |
| Malaysia | 99.90 MYR(about $24.61) | 599.90 MYR(about $147.78) | 1,199.90 MYR(about $295.58) |
| Japan | ¥3,000(about $19.00) | ¥20,000(about $126.68) | ¥40,000(about $253.36) |
| United Kingdom | £20(about $26.70) | £119.99(about $160.16) | £249.99(about $333.68) |
| India | ₹1,999(about $20.98) | ₹12,900(about $135.37) | ₹24,900(about $261.29) |
| Taiwan | NT$690(about $21.20) | NT$3,990(about $122.57) | NT$7,990(about $245.46) |
| Singapore | S$29.98(about $23.41) | S$179.98(about $140.51) | S$349.98(about $273.23) |
Sources: AISub: Claude Pro App Store prices by regionAISub: Claude Max 5x App Store prices by regionAISub: Claude Max 20x App Store prices by regionAISub: Methodology
What is Claude Duet, and does it use Pro or Max usage?
Anthropic introduced Claude Duet on October 23, 2026. It is a waitlisted research preview, starting with Pro and Max subscribers in the US, with standalone iOS and Android apps and access on claude.ai.
Duet is included in Pro and Max and uses the same usage limits. It checks connected accounts every few hours, and these background checks also count toward usage limits.
Sources: Anthropic: Claude Duet
How should you choose between Pro, Max 5x, and Max 20x?
The following is AISub's guidance. Upgrades are prorated, and the Help Center says Max has no standard discounts, so it is reasonable to start lower and upgrade only if you hit limits often. See Claude Pro App Store quotes.
| Your situation | Look first at | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Occasional use; rarely hit the five-hour session limit | Pro (consider annual) | Annual billing works out to $17/month, the lowest cost per unit of session usage for light use |
| Often hit the session limit and need more | Max 5x | Same cost per unit of session usage as Pro monthly, with 5x the usage |
| Heavy Claude Code use across devices | Max 20x | $10 per unit of session usage, the lowest of the three |
| Can only pay through the App Store | Your region's price page first | US App Store Max prices are higher than web prices, and converted amounts vary widely by region |
Sources: Anthropic: Claude pricingAnthropic: What is the Max plan?AISub: Claude Pro App Store prices by regionAISub: Claude Max 5x App Store prices by regionAISub: Claude Max 20x App Store prices by regionAISub: Methodology
Frequently asked questions
Is there annual billing for Claude Max 5x or Max 20x?
No. Anthropic's pricing page says Max is billed monthly only. Pro can be billed annually at $17/month ($200 upfront).
Sources: Anthropic: Claude pricing
Does Max 20x mean 20 times Pro's weekly usage?
Anthropic's 20x refers to usage per five-hour session. Max also has a weekly limit across all models whose values are not published, so it cannot be read as 20 times per week.
Sources: Anthropic: What is the Max plan?Anthropic: Claude pricing
Why is Claude Max more expensive on the App Store?
The Help Center says $100 and $200 are web subscription prices and mobile pricing may vary. AISub recorded US App Store prices of $124.99 for Max 5x and $249.99 for Max 20x.
Sources: Anthropic: What is the Max plan?AISub: Claude Max 5x App Store prices by regionAISub: Claude Max 20x App Store prices by region
Do Claude Code and the web app share usage?
Yes. Anthropic's pricing page says web, desktop, mobile, and Claude Code share one usage pool.
Sources: Anthropic: Claude pricing
Does Claude Duet cost extra?
Anthropic says Duet is included in Pro and Max and uses the same usage limits, with background checks counting toward them. It is currently a waitlisted research preview starting with US Pro and Max subscribers.
Sources: Anthropic: Claude Duet
Official sources and review notes
Sources checked on October 30, 2026. Rates and eligibility rules can change; confirm the latest official guidance and your own agreement.
- Anthropic: Claude pricing
- Anthropic: What is the Max plan?
- Anthropic: Claude Duet
- AISub: Claude Pro App Store prices by region
- AISub: Claude Max 5x App Store prices by region
- AISub: Claude Max 20x App Store prices by region
- AISub: Methodology
This guide draws on the public sources listed below. Examples illustrate the calculation methods. AISub is an independent price index and is not affiliated with the product providers discussed.