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Claude's big plans have new names, and Ultra drops the 5-hour limit
Updated · Level: Beginner · Facts from Anthropic's own pages.
What changed on Oct 30, 2026
Anthropic announced the change on its official @claudeai account on Oct 30, 20261
| New name | Formerly | Monthly price (web) | Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max | Max 5x | US$100 | 5x Pro, every 5 hours and every week |
| Ultra | Max 20x | US$200 | 10x Pro every week; no 5-hour limit for verified accounts |
Tip: Anthropic sells both plans monthly only. Prices in the iPhone or Android app can be different. 2
Anthropic says weekly limits haven't changed. Both plans also come with1
- A separate weekly limit for Fable, Anthropic's top model. On claude.com it's described as "up to half your weekly limit." 2
- Monthly Claude API credits: US$100 on Max and US$200 on Ultra. These are for building your own apps and agents on Anthropic's developer platform. You have to claim them, they expire each month, and they don't work in the Claude app or Claude Code. 5 More on the credits.
Why the 5-hour limit matters
Claude's paid plans normally have two meters. One is a session limit that starts with your first message and fills up again five hours later. The other is a weekly limit. Claude, the desktop app and Claude Code all count against the same meters. 4,6
Without the 5-hour limit, a verified Ultra subscriber can work as long as they like in one sitting, until the weekly limit runs out. That's handy for long jobs, like a big coding session. Anthropic says weekly limits are unchanged, so the weekly meter is now the one to watch.
What does "verified account" mean?
This is the part most people are asking about. Here's what Anthropic says3
- Anthropic does the checking itself, automatically. It verifies Ultra accounts "using factors like your account and payment history." The reason it gives is to help prevent fraud and abuse.
- Verified accounts have no 5-hour limit. Until your account is verified, a temporary limit applies.
- There's nothing you need to do. You can't fill in a form or send an ID to speed it up. Anthropic removes the temporary limit by itself once your account is verified, and says you'll get an email when that happens.
- Verifying your phone number doesn't count. The phone check when you sign up or pay is a separate step, and it doesn't remove the 5-hour limit.
- Most existing subscribers got it first. The change started on Oct 30, "starting today with most existing subscribers." Newer accounts keep the temporary limit until they're verified. 1
How to check yours: in Claude, go to Settings › Usage. If you don't see a Current session bar, your account is verified and the 5-hour limit is gone. If the bar is still there, the temporary limit still applies. 3
What Anthropic hasn't said: it hasn't published what counts as a "newer" account, exactly which factors it looks at, or how long verification takes. If your bar is still there, waiting for Anthropic's email is the only option it gives.
One thing for Claude Code users: while the temporary limit applies, Claude Code's "wrapping up" allowance (it can finish the step it's on when you hit the 5-hour limit) works the same way as on Max. Once you're verified, there's no 5-hour limit for it to apply to. 6
Should you switch plans?
- On Max and rarely hit the 5-hour limit? Stay put. Nothing changed for you except the name.
- On Max and hit the 5-hour limit most days? Ultra removes it once you're verified and doubles your weekly usage, for twice the price. If you're a new subscriber, expect the 5-hour limit for a while.
- On Ultra already? Check Settings › Usage. If the Current session bar is gone, plan around the weekly limit instead.
Full prices in USD and CAD: Claude plans and prices.
Common questions
4 quick questions, answered
Is Max 5x gone?
Only the name. Max 5x is now called Max, at the same price and the same limits.
Did Ultra get more usage than Max 20x?
Max 20x was billed as 20x Pro per 5-hour session. Ultra is billed as 10x Pro weekly. Anthropic says weekly limits haven't changed, but it's unclear whether the actual allowance did.
I verified my phone number. Why do I still have a 5-hour limit?
Phone verification is a separate step. Anthropic's account verification happens on its own, and it emails you when the temporary limit is removed.
Does Ultra have any limit at all?
Yes. It has a weekly limit across all models, a separate weekly limit for Fable, and Anthropic says it may add other limits to manage capacity.
Related: Claude plans and prices · How to stretch your AI plan limits · Claude Max API credits · Claude Code explained · AI text watermarks, explained
Sources (6)
Last checked Oct 31, 2026. Drafted with AI, tested and edited by me.