Anthropic has expanded the free version of its AI chatbot Claude, introducing a range of new features, including file creation, third-party integrations, and enhanced task automation tools.
The update comes as OpenAI moves closer to introducing advertisements for users on the free tier of ChatGPT.
Under the latest changes, free Claude users can now create and edit files such as Excel spreadsheets, PowerPoint presentations, Word documents, and PDFs. These capabilities, previously limited to paid subscribers since their launch in September, are powered by Claude’s Sonnet 4.5 model and are now available at no cost.
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Anthropic has also rolled out Connectors to free users, enabling Claude to integrate with external platforms, including Canva, Slack, Notion, Zapier, and PayPal. This allows users to link their workflows directly with the chatbot for more seamless productivity.
In addition, the company has broadened access to its Skills feature. Skills allow users to train Claude for recurring tasks by uploading folders that contain instructions, scripts, and relevant resources. When a related query is made, Claude can automatically apply those materials to deliver more consistent results.
Other improvements to the free tier include support for longer conversations, more interactive responses, and upgrades to voice and image search functions.
The timing of the announcement suggests a strategic positioning against OpenAI’s advertising plans for ChatGPT’s free version. Anthropic emphasized that Claude remains ad-free, concluding its announcement with the phrase “No ads in sight.” The company also referenced its recent Super Bowl advertisement, which took a critical tone toward OpenAI’s approach and drew attention for mocking GPT-4o’s behavior — a move that reportedly did not sit well with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.
