Claude Cowork vs ChatGPT
Claude Cowork and ChatGPT side by side: the plans that include them, where tasks run, local files, scheduling and app connections.
Claude Cowork is now part of Claude, and ChatGPT Work is part of ChatGPT. Both are task-doing agents inside their assistant (see Claude Cowork). You describe an outcome, and they plan the steps and hand back files you can review. Cowork needs a paid Claude plan. ChatGPT Work is included on every ChatGPT plan, including Free.
Both can use local files through the desktop app, run scheduled tasks and connect to your apps. Cowork runs its sessions in the cloud, so they continue when you close your laptop. ChatGPT Work can run locally or in the cloud, and the local mode needs your computer. For coding agents, see Claude Code vs Codex; for the assistants as a whole, see Claude vs ChatGPT.
Good for
- People who want an AI to finish a whole task, such as a deck, a report or a spreadsheet
- Anyone deciding between a Claude plan and a ChatGPT plan for work tasks
- People who want recurring jobs, such as a weekly summary, to run on a schedule
- Teams comparing Claude Team with ChatGPT Business
Side by side
Our advice: use Cowork if you already pay for Claude and want long tasks to keep running in the cloud. Use ChatGPT Work if you want to try an agent on a free plan.
| Option | Claude Cowork | ChatGPT Work |
|---|---|---|
| Included in the free plan | No | Yes |
| Plans with it | Pro, Max, Ultra, Team, Enterprise | Free, Go, Plus, Pro, Business, Edu, Enterprise |
| Price of the cheapest plan with it | Pro, $20/mo ($17/mo billed yearly) | Free, $0 |
| Where tasks run | Cloud (new Pro, Max and Ultra tasks since Oct 6, 2026) | Local or cloud |
| Local files | Through the desktop app | Through the desktop app |
| Scheduled tasks | Yes, run in the cloud | Yes |
| Connect your apps | Connectors and plugins | Plugins |
| Usage is shared with | Claude chat and Claude Code | Codex |
Which to pick
Our advice: pick Cowork if you pay for Claude and want long jobs to keep running in the cloud. Pick ChatGPT Work if you want a free start or already pay for ChatGPT. No vendor publishes a head-to-head test, so try one real task in each.
The limit on each side: Cowork needs a paid Claude plan, and ChatGPT Work shares its usage with Codex.
Best for
- Cowork: Claude Pro, Max, Ultra or Team subscribers who want tasks to continue with the laptop closed
- ChatGPT Work: anyone who wants to try an agent on the Free plan
- ChatGPT Work: ChatGPT subscribers who also use Codex, since the two share usage
- Both: decks, spreadsheets and documents that you review before you use them
Skip it if
- Cowork: you want a free plan, since it starts at Pro
- ChatGPT Work: you are on Enterprise or Edu and GPT-6.1 Sol is still off, since an admin must enable it
Questions
Is Claude Cowork better than ChatGPT?
Neither wins outright. Neither vendor publishes a head-to-head test, and results depend on the task and the plan. Run the same real task in each before you pay.
Is ChatGPT Work free?
Yes. OpenAI lists ChatGPT Work and Codex as included in the Free, Go, Plus, Pro, Business, Edu and Enterprise plans. They share usage, and usage limits depend on your plan.
Is Claude Cowork free?
No. Anthropic says Cowork is available only on paid plans: Pro, Max, Ultra, Team and Enterprise. Pro is $20 a month, or $17 a month billed yearly (as of November 2026).
What is the difference between Claude Cowork and ChatGPT Work?
Both take on multi-step tasks and return files. Cowork runs in the cloud and needs a paid plan. ChatGPT Work is on every plan and can run on your computer or in the cloud.
Can they use files on my computer?
Yes, through each desktop app. Claude needs the desktop app open for local files, your browser or your computer. ChatGPT Work can use local files, apps and the browser when those tools are available.
Do they keep working if I close my laptop?
Cowork sessions do, because they run in the cloud. ChatGPT Work does in its cloud mode. In local mode it works on your computer, so keep it online for steps that need your files.
Can they connect to my apps?
Yes. Cowork uses connectors and plugins, and ChatGPT Work uses plugins. OpenAI describes MCP servers as one part of a plugin. See what MCP is and MCP tools.
Is ChatGPT Work the same as Codex?
They are close. OpenAI says Work gives the same core capabilities as Codex in an experience built for everyday work, and the two share usage. See Claude Code vs Codex for coding.
Can I schedule tasks?
Yes on both. Cowork scheduled tasks run in the cloud with no device online. ChatGPT Work has scheduled tasks to repeat, monitor or refresh something.
How is Cowork different from Claude Code?
Cowork brings Claude Code's way of working to knowledge work, with no terminal needed. See Claude Cowork and Claude Code vs Cowork.
Information
updated Nov 3, 2026
- Made by
- OpenAI
- Connector directory
- chatgpt.com/apps
Sources
Docs, issue trackers and discussions this page is built from.
Show all 7Hide
- Get started with Claude Cowork · support.claude.com
- Codex and ChatGPT Work pricing · learn.chatgpt.com
- Get started with ChatGPT Work · learn.chatgpt.com
- Claude Cowork · claude.com
- Claude plans and pricing · claude.com
- Plugins · learn.chatgpt.com
- Use Claude Cowork on web, desktop, and mobile · support.claude.com