Stacking Claude Code, Muse, and Gemini? Pick your tools and your usage intensity — get a modeled monthly cost per tool and for the whole stack, in 60 seconds.
A solo developer running one AI coding assistant typically spends $0–$20/month. Stack two or three and the bill lands at $40–$60/month on mid tiers — or $400–$600/month if every tool sits on its top tier. The math as of October 2026: Claude Pro and ChatGPT Plus are both $20/month (Claude Code and Codex included), Google AI Pro is $19.99/month. So a Claude + Codex + Gemini stack costs about $60/month at mid tier. Light users are the ones overpaying most: pay-per-token APIs are frequently 90%+ cheaper than a subscription you barely touch. Model your own stack in the 60-second simulator below.
Prices audited Oct 5, 2026 against official pricing pages and 2+ independent sources · Page published Oct 7, 2026 · Prices change often — re-check official pages before buying.Step 1 of 2 — pick your tools
Which coding assistants do you actually use? (pick all that apply)
How intense is your usage across these tools? (pick the closest)
Static reference — audited Oct 5, 2026. Official pages move; re-check before buying.
| Tool | Free | Mid tier (sweet spot) | Top tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Claude Claude Code included |
$0 Limited usage |
$20/mo Pro Full Claude Code access |
$100–$200/mo Max 5x / 20x Higher usage allowances |
| ChatGPT Muse included |
$0 Codex in free phase for many users (Oct 2026) |
$20/mo Plus Codex + flagship models |
$100–$200/mo Pro 5x / 20x Heaviest quotas |
| Google AI Gemini coding |
$0 Limited usage |
$19.99/mo AI Pro Gemini in IDE + Workspace |
$99.99–$199.99/mo AI Ultra Highest limits + extras |
Stack math: 3 tools × mid tier ≈ $60/mo · 3 tools × top tier ≈ $400–$600/mo. Sources: claude.com/pricing, help.openai.com (Pro tiers), plus 2+ independent cross-checks per row — see our Oct 5, 2026 price audit.
One assistant on a mid tier runs about $20/month (Claude Pro $20, ChatGPT Plus $20, Google AI Pro $19.99 — prices as of Oct 2026). A three-tool stack on mid tiers costs roughly $60/month; the same stack on top tiers ($200 Max/Pro plans) reaches $400–$600/month. Light users on free tiers pay $0 — but free phases end.
Yes. Anthropic's pricing page lists Claude Code access within Pro ($20/mo) and Max tiers ($100/mo 5x, $200/mo 20x). The Max tiers buy higher usage allowances, not a different product. Verify on claude.com/pricing — tiers change.
As of October 2026, many Codex users report a free phase with no visible quota meter, and the mechanics are changing frequently. Treat this as temporary: model your spend on the paid tiers (Plus $20/mo, Pro $100–$200/mo) so a billing change doesn't surprise you.
Steady daily use favors the flat $20/month subscription. Bursty or light use favors pay-per-token APIs, which are frequently 90%+ cheaper than a subscription you barely touch. The simulator's result flags which side your pattern falls on.
Rule of thumb: if you have never hit a usage limit, you are one tier too high. Take the 60-second simulator above — it maps your tools and intensity to the cheapest tier that fits, instead of the one marketing sold you.
Prices are from an Oct 2026 audit against official pricing pages and 2+ independent sources. AI subscription prices change often — always re-check the official pricing page before buying. This page was published Oct 7, 2026.
Coding tools are one line item. Most people also overpay $100–$300 a year on overlapping AI subscriptions. Run the free calculator to see your number.
→ Open the AI Subscription Calculator