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Comparison

Sonnet vs Opus: Which Claude model should you use?

March 2026 · 4 min read

When you pick a Claw Labs plan, you're choosing between two AI models: Claude Sonnet 4.6 (Starter) and Claude Opus 4.6 (Pro & Coder). Here's a practical breakdown.

The quick version

Sonnet 4.6

  • Fast responses (~1-2 sec)
  • Great at everyday tasks
  • Q&A, writing, summaries
  • Good at simple coding
  • Lower cost per message

Opus 4.6

  • Slightly slower (~2-4 sec)
  • Best reasoning available
  • Complex multi-step tasks
  • Advanced coding & debugging
  • Deeper understanding & nuance

When Sonnet is enough

Most of the time. If you're asking questions, getting summaries, writing emails, setting reminders, or having casual conversations — Sonnet handles it all with speed and accuracy. It's the right choice if you:

→ Use your assistant primarily for everyday tasks
→ Want faster responses
→ Want your credits to last longer

When Opus makes the difference

Opus shines when tasks require deep reasoning. Things like:

→ Writing and debugging complex code
→ Multi-step research with synthesis
→ Nuanced analysis of documents or data
→ Tasks that require planning and strategy
→ Long conversations where context matters

The difference isn't subtle. Ask Opus to build a full application from a description, and it'll architect the solution, write the code, debug issues, and iterate — all in one flow. Sonnet can code too, but Opus is on another level for complex projects.

Cost difference

Opus costs roughly 5× more per token than Sonnet. That's why Starter (€19) includes €15 in credits with Sonnet, while Pro (€49) includes €30 with Opus. Your credits go further with Sonnet, but Opus delivers more per interaction.

Our recommendation: Start with Starter (Sonnet). If you find yourself wishing it was smarter — especially for coding or complex reasoning — upgrade to Pro. You can switch plans anytime.

Try it yourself

Both models come with the same features: persistent memory, WhatsApp & Telegram, proactive actions, and a dedicated server. The only difference is the brain.

Compare plans →