Claude and ChatGPT are two of the most capable general AI assistants, and both have free plans that work well for studying. Both also offer a guided learning style that asks you questions instead of handing over answers. Here's how they compare for students on features, free plans, student offers and price.
| Feature | Claude | ChatGPT |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Chat, web search, file uploads, memory; Learning style | Core chat with message and upload limits; Study mode |
| Low-cost plan | None — Pro is the first paid plan | Go: $8/month in the US |
| Main paid plan | Pro: $17/month billed annually ($200/year) or $20 monthly | Plus: $20/month |
| Higher tier | Max: from $100/month | Higher tiers available |
| Student offer | No individual discount; some universities provide Claude for Education | Student offer of four free Plus months ended Oct 31, 2026 |
| Learning feature | Learning style asks you questions to guide you | Study mode: guided, step-by-step learning |
| Organize coursework | Projects (Pro and up) | Projects and file uploads |
Prices and features as of November 2026 — check the official site for current details
Prices and features as of November 2026 — check the official site for current details
Best for: long readings, careful writing feedback and guided learning
Claude is Anthropic's AI assistant, available on the web, desktop and mobile. The free plan includes chat, web search, file uploads and memory across conversations, and Claude offers a Learning style that guides you with questions instead of giving answers. Claude Pro costs $17/month billed annually ($200 up front) or $20/month billed monthly and adds more usage, Projects and more models; Max plans start at $100/month. Anthropic doesn't list an individual student discount, but some universities provide Claude through an Education plan.
Why students use it:
Best for: a flexible all-round assistant with Study mode
ChatGPT is OpenAI's AI assistant. Study mode, available on the Free plan, guides you with questions and step-by-step help instead of handing over answers. Plans: Free, Go ($8/month in the US) and Plus ($20/month). Through October 31, 2026, eligible US college and graduate students could claim four free months of ChatGPT Plus after SheerID verification; that offer has now ended.
Why students use it:
Choose Claude if you work with long readings and want careful feedback on your own writing, or if your school provides it. Choose ChatGPT if you want a flexible all-round assistant or a cheaper Go plan. Both have free plans with a guided learning mode, so try each on a real assignment. Set a reminder to cancel any free offer you don't want to pay for, and follow your course's AI policy.
Using AI to explain concepts, quiz yourself or get feedback on your own draft is often allowed, but submitting AI-written work usually isn't. Read your syllabus, verify facts against your course materials and disclose AI use when required.