In a move that has sparked controversy among users, Anthropic has decided to ban the use of Claude Pro and Max accounts on OpenClaw, forcing users to access their artificial intelligence models through the API and pay for their usage.
This decision has generated criticism among the followers of OpenClaw, who consider it unfair, despite acknowledging that the high token consumption associated with the use of the agent is a legitimate problem.
A decision that affects thousands of users
OpenClaw, developed by Peter Steinberger, is an AI agent that allows users to manage their applications efficiently. The use of models like Claude Opus 4.6 and Claude Sonnet 4.6 has enabled many to maximize the functionality of OpenClaw under Anthropic’s Pro and Max plans.
However, the company argues that these plans are designed for programming, not for the intensive use that occurs on platforms like OpenClaw.
This decision comes shortly after OpenAI acquired OpenClaw, indicating a possible competitive strategy between the two AI companies. Critics point out that Anthropic’s approach resembles the walled garden of firms like Apple and Nintendo, which have restricted access to their ecosystems.
While Chinese companies like Kimi and Minimax offer more accessible models, Anthropic seems to be closing its platform by limiting the use of its more advanced capabilities.
Although Anthropic’s argument about the rising costs due to the intensive use of its models may be valid, the timing of this decision has raised doubts about the motivations behind it. With this move, Anthropic is not only looking to control the use of its resources but also to adapt to competition in a rapidly evolving market.