📖 2 min read
Claude Opus 4.7 just dropped and Anthropic changed the pricing again. I ran the same 50 tasks through every major AI model and tracked every cent. Here is exactly what each model costs per real task in April 2026.
Forget the per-token pricing pages. Nobody thinks in tokens. I measured what matters: cost per completed task across writing, coding, analysis, and creative work.
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The Models Tested
- GPT-5 (OpenAI) – $200/mo Pro, $20/mo Plus
- Claude Opus 4.7 (Anthropic) – $200/mo Max, $20/mo Pro
- Claude Sonnet 4.6 (Anthropic) – included in Pro
- Gemini 2.5 Ultra (Google) – $249/mo, $20/mo standard
- Llama 4 Maverick (Meta, via API) – variable
- Grok 3.5 (xAI) – $30/mo Premium+
Cost Per Task Breakdown
Writing Tasks (10 tasks: blog posts, emails, reports)
| Model | Avg Cost/Task | Quality (1-10) | Cost-Adjusted Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| GPT-5 Plus | $0.08 | 8.2 | 102.5 |
| Claude Sonnet 4.6 | $0.05 | 8.5 | 170.0 |
| Claude Opus 4.7 | $0.18 | 9.1 | 50.6 |
| Gemini 2.5 Ultra | $0.12 | 7.8 | 65.0 |
| Llama 4 Maverick | $0.02 | 7.0 | 350.0 |
Winner: Claude Sonnet 4.6 – best quality-per-dollar for writing by a mile.
Coding Tasks (15 tasks: debugging, building, refactoring)
| Model | Avg Cost/Task | Success Rate | Avg Iterations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Claude Opus 4.7 | $0.35 | 93% | 1.2 |
| GPT-5 | $0.28 | 87% | 1.8 |
| Claude Sonnet 4.6 | $0.12 | 80% | 2.1 |
| Gemini 2.5 Ultra | $0.22 | 73% | 2.4 |
Winner: Claude Opus 4.7 for complex coding. Claude Sonnet 4.6 if you are cost-sensitive and willing to iterate.
Analysis Tasks (15 tasks: data analysis, research, summarization)
| Model | Avg Cost/Task | Accuracy |
|---|---|---|
| GPT-5 | $0.15 | 91% |
| Claude Opus 4.7 | $0.25 | 94% |
| Gemini 2.5 Ultra | $0.18 | 89% |
Winner: GPT-5 for cost-efficiency. Claude Opus 4.7 if accuracy is critical.
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The Real Monthly Cost for Power Users
If you run 200 tasks/month (typical power user):
- Budget option: Claude Pro ($20/mo) using mostly Sonnet 4.6 = ~$20-30/mo total. Best value in AI right now.
- Performance option: Claude Max ($200/mo) for unlimited Opus 4.7 = flat $200/mo. Worth it if you do 500+ tasks/month.
- Mixed option: ChatGPT Plus ($20) + Claude Pro ($20) = $40/mo. Use GPT-5 for analysis, Claude for writing and coding.
Bottom Line for April 2026
Claude Sonnet 4.6 is the best value model in AI. Period. If you are only paying for one subscription, Claude Pro at $20/mo gives you the most capability per dollar.
Claude Opus 4.7 is the best model overall but you are paying 3-4x more per task. Worth it for professional coding and high-stakes analysis. Overkill for casual use.
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GPT-5 is solid across the board but no longer the clear leader in any single category.
All costs measured April 20-25, 2026. API pricing via official rate cards. Subscription costs at published rates.