OpenAI launches new $100 ChatGPT Pro tier to compete with Claude

TL;DR: OpenAI has added a new $100 per month ChatGPT Pro subscription tier that offers five times the Codex coding tool usage compared to the $20 Plus plan. The pricing directly matches Anthropic’s Claude Max tier, making the competitive targeting explicit. OpenAI now offers four consumer pricing tiers, reflecting how AI tool subscriptions are stratifying around developer and power-user workflows.

The new tier slots between OpenAI’s existing $20 per month Plus subscription and the $200 Pro option, and is designed for users who need extended coding sessions with Codex, OpenAI’s AI coding assistant.

A direct response to Claude Code

OpenAI is not subtle about its competitive intent. The $100 price point mirrors Anthropic’s Max tier for Claude, which has gained traction among developers through Claude Code. The Verge reports that OpenAI frames the new tier as offering “a more accessible upgrade path for heavier daily use” of Codex compared to the existing Plus plan.

The result is a four-tier consumer lineup: a free tier, an $8 Go plan, the $20 Plus subscription, the new $100 Pro, and the original $200 Pro with higher usage caps. The naming creates some confusion — two tiers now carry the “Pro” label, distinguished only by price and usage limits.

OpenAI says the $20 Plus plan remains its recommendation for “steady, day-to-day usage of Codex,” positioning the new tier specifically for developers whose daily workload exceeds what Plus can accommodate.

Looking forward

The pricing war between OpenAI and Anthropic reflects a broader shift in how AI companies monetise developer tools. As coding assistants become central to professional workflows, subscription tiers are increasingly calibrated to usage intensity rather than feature access. For UK developers and businesses evaluating AI tool costs, the competitive pressure between the two leading platforms should continue driving value at each price point.