Free Claude API credits

Anthropic has no permanent free Claude API tier in our dataset. The ways to get Claude API credits without paying list price are through a program or a plan.

Claude for Startups advertises perks and credits worth up to $45,000, and up to $100K in extra API credits for startups backed by a VC in Anthropic's partner network, claimed through that VC. Its page says these credits don't apply when you use Claude through AWS, Google Cloud or Azure.

Claude Max and Team plans include monthly API credits. Anthropic's help center confirms they exist and are separate from usage credits in Claude and Claude Code, but we haven't confirmed the amounts on an official page, so that row is marked unconfirmed.

Last checked 2026-10-15 against each provider's official page.

2 offers

Offer	Amount	Category	Card?	Eligibility
Claude for Startups Anthropic unconfirmed	Perks/credits worth up to $45,000; up to $100K API credits via partner VCs	Startup program	unknown	Startups. Page says Claude credits don't apply on AWS, Google Cloud or Azure
Claude Max/Team monthly API credits Anthropic unconfirmed	Monthly API credits included with Max and Team (amount on linked article)	Plan perk	yes	Max and Team subscribers

FAQ

Is there a free Claude API tier?

Not one we could verify. The options listed here are a startup program and the credits included with paid Claude plans.

Do Claude for Startups credits work on AWS Bedrock or Google Vertex?

No. The program page says Claude Startups credits don't apply on AWS, Google Cloud, Azure or other third-party platforms.

Do Max plan API credits cover Claude Code?

No. Anthropic's help center says monthly API credits don't apply to usage in Claude, Claude Code or Claude Cowork.