Claude vs Grok
Claude vs Grok: which should I use?
Choose Claude for writing, editing and careful work with long documents. Choose Grok if you want to follow breaking news and trends, because it can draw on posts from X in real time, and it can create images. Both have free plans; Claude Pro is US$20/month, and Grok's paid plans start at US$8/month in the US.
At a glance
| Claude | Grok | |
|---|---|---|
| Made by | Anthropic | xAI |
| Free plan | Yes – Free plan on web, desktop and mobile, with web search, memory and file creation; usage limits reset every five hours. | Yes – Free plan with limited chat and agent requests; xAI doesn't publish exact limits. |
| Paid from | US$20/month (Pro), or US$17/month billed annually; Max from US$100/month. | US$8/month (Plus, part of The X Subscription); Premium US$30/month adds the latest Grok models and video creation; Super US$100/month. |
| Best for | careful writing, long documents, analysis, thoughtful explanations | up-to-date news and trends, casual questions, image creation |
| Works on | web, iOS, Android, Windows, macOS | web, iOS, Android |
Which wins for what?
| Task | Our pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Writing and editing | Claude | Natural tone, careful edits and good at keeping your voice. |
| Long documents | Claude | Reads and summarises long files clearly. |
| Breaking news and trends | Grok | Real-time information, including posts on X. |
| Images | Grok | Grok creates images (video on the US$30/month Premium plan); Claude focuses on text and documents. |
| Careful explanations | Claude | Patient, structured answers that are easy to follow. |
| Price | Tie | Both free to start. Grok Plus US$8/month, Premium US$30/month; Claude Pro US$20/month (US$17/month annually). |
Choose Claude if…
- You mostly write, edit or read long documents
- You want calm, thoughtful explanations
Choose Grok if…
- You follow news and trends on X
- You want to create images in the same app
Both have free plans, so the easiest test is to paste the same prompt into each – try one from the guides below.
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Prompts to test them side by side
Write a tricky work email
Rough guide only: 20–40 minutes
💼 Work & careerSummarise a long document or meeting notes
Rough guide only: 20–40 minutes each time
🚀 Side hustlesCreate a month of social media posts
Rough guide only: 3–4 hours a month
📚 Study & learningGet any topic explained simply
Rough guide only: 1 hour
How we chose
These are editorial picks by Amara Lewis, based on what each tool's free and paid plans include, how easy it is for a beginner, and how well it suits this task. We have not run formal benchmark tests for this page, and no company paid to be listed. Read how we review.
Frequently asked questions
Is Claude better than Grok?
For writing and documents, most people will prefer Claude. For what's happening right now on X, Grok is more useful.
Is Grok accurate for news?
Real-time posts can be wrong or unverified. Check important claims with reputable news sources.
How much does Grok cost?
Grok has a free plan with limited use. Since October 2026 it's sold through The X Subscription: Plus US$8/month and Premium US$30/month in the US.
Are Claude and Grok free?
Yes, both have free plans with usage limits.
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