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Claude and ChatGPT got cheaper: what it means for your business

On 22 September 2026, Anthropic released Claude Opus 5.5, and OpenAI released GPT-6 Sol and GPT-6 Luna. These are AI models, the "brain" behind an AI tool. All three beat the models they replace, and cost less for anyone who pays per use.

The short version: if you already use Claude or ChatGPT, there's nothing to set up. But if you pay for a tool built on them, like a WhatsApp chatbot, it's a good time to ask about price.

What changed

Claude Opus 5.5 is Anthropic's most capable model. It's live now in Claude for the Pro, Max, Team and Enterprise plans, but not the free plan. Anthropic says it writes answers over 30% faster than Opus 5. It also raised the usage limits on those paid plans. Source

Developers pay for AI by the token, a small piece of a word. For Opus 5.5, a million tokens going in now costs $4 instead of $5. A million tokens coming out costs $20 instead of $25. Anthropic says typical work now costs about 40% less to run than with Opus 5.

GPT-6 Sol and GPT-6 Luna are OpenAI's new faster, cheaper models. Sol is the bigger one, and Luna is the smaller, cheaper one. Both are rolling out in ChatGPT for Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise and Edu users. Free users can try Luna in the ChatGPT desktop app. Source

OpenAI's pricing page lists Sol at $2 per million tokens going in and $10 coming out. Luna is $0.10 in and $0.50 out. OpenAI says that's 50% lower than the discounted prices of the older GPT-5.6.

Neither announcement mentions which countries get the new models.

Why it matters for a small business

  • You pay a monthly subscription (ChatGPT Plus, Claude Pro). Your price stays the same. You get better answers, and on Claude, more use before you hit the limit.
  • You use a tool built on these models, such as a WhatsApp or website chatbot, or an AI writing tool. The company behind that tool pays per token, and its costs just went down. Some will pass the savings on to you, and some won't.
  • You use free ChatGPT. You can try Luna in the desktop app at no cost.
  • You put off a customer-service chatbot because of running costs. The numbers look better now than they did a week ago.

What to do now

  1. Check which model you're using. Open the model menu in ChatGPT or Claude. The new models may show up there over the next few days.
  2. Ask the company behind your AI tool. You can copy this message:

Hi, OpenAI and Anthropic released cheaper models on 22 September. Does our plan use GPT-6 or Claude Opus 5.5 yet, or will it soon? And will the lower cost change what we pay?

  1. Test your chatbot after any switch. Send it the five questions customers ask most, like "Are you open on Sunday?" Then check that prices, hours and policies are still right.

The catch

  • The price cuts are for developers. The monthly prices for ChatGPT and Claude plans haven't changed.
  • A new model can answer differently. Even a better model may word things in a new way, or handle your rules differently. That's why the test in step 3 matters.
  • Not everything is confirmed. OpenAI hasn't said if Sol will reach the free plan. It also hasn't said if free users will get Luna outside the desktop app.
  • Cheaper isn't free. A busy chatbot still costs money every month. The question is whether it saves you more time than it costs.

Wondering if an AI assistant for customer messages makes sense for you now? See how we set up business automation, or book a free consultation.