Claude Code vs Sonnet 4.5
A detailed comparison to help you choose the right AI tool for your needs.
Our Pick
Claude Code
Claude Code edges out Claude Sonnet 4.5 with superior overall performance and features that make it the better choice for most users.
Try Claude CodeFeature Comparison
Feature
Claude Code
Sonnet 4.5
Ratings
Overall Rating
4.9
4.8
Coding
5.0
4.7
Writing
4.5
4.9
Reasoning
4.8
4.7
Speed
4.3
4.6
Value
4.6
4.9
Pricing
Monthly Price
$20
$20
Free Tier
Input (per 1M tokens)
$5
$3
Output (per 1M tokens)
$25
$15
Features
Context Window
200K
200K
Vision/Images
Audio
Video
Code Generation
AI Agents
Claude Code
Pros
- Highest SWE-bench score (72.7%)
- Agentic codebase navigation
- Full Git/GitHub integration
- Rewind feature for code rollback
- MCP support out of the box
Cons
- Requires Pro subscription ($20/mo)
- Slower than simpler tools for basic tasks
Claude Sonnet 4.5
Pros
- Best value for money
- Excellent writing quality
- Fast response times
- Strong coding abilities
- Free tier available
Cons
- Not as powerful as Opus for complex tasks
- Usage limits on free tier
Choose Claude Code if you need:
Complex refactoring, architecture work, autonomous agent development
Choose Sonnet 4.5 if you need:
Daily coding tasks, writing, general use
Ready to get started?
Both tools offer free tiers or trials. Try them out and see which one works best for your workflow.