What's the Difference Between Claude Code Max 5X and Max 20X Versions?

Main Differences

Pricing Differences:

• Max 5x Pro: $100/month (5x Pro usage)
• Max 20x Pro: $200/month (20x Pro usage)

Usage Limits:

• Max 5x: Average users can send about 225 messages every 5 hours, or send about 50-200 prompts using Claude Code
• Max 20x: Average users can send about 900 messages every 5 hours, or send about 200-800 prompts using Claude Code

Model Access:

• Users of both Max plans can use Sonnet or Opus 4 models in Claude Code (switch using the /model command)
• Max 5x users need to use Opus strategically to avoid hitting limits
• Max 20x users can use Opus more frequently for complex problem solving

Use Cases

Max 5x is suitable for:

• Moderate professional development, occasionally needing Opus for complex tasks but mainly using Sonnet for daily work
• Upgrading from Pro when hitting rate limits on large projects

Max 20x is suitable for:

• Intensive professional development requiring frequent access to Opus for architectural decisions and complex problem solving
• Heavy users, independent developers, and anyone doing serious development work

Important Notes

• Max plan usage limits are shared between claude.ai website/app and Claude Code
• Both tiers are designed for developers working with large codebases, complex refactoring, and long debugging sessions
• It's recommended to start with Pro and upgrade as needs grow

In short, the Max 20 version provides 4x the usage of the Max 5x version and is better suited for heavy developers who need extensive Claude Code usage and frequent access to the Opus model.