Anthropic Introduces Extra Fee for OpenClaw Access on Claude

Using OpenClaw with Claude AI is about to become significantly pricier due to recent policy updates from Anthropic. Starting April 4th at 3 PM ET, users will no longer be able to apply their Claude subscription limits to third-party tools like OpenClaw. Instead, those wanting to utilize OpenClaw alongside Claude will need to opt for a separate “pay-as-you-go” billing method.

With Peter Steinberger, the creator of OpenClaw, now part of OpenAI, it seems Anthropic is nudging users toward its own offerings, such as Claude Cowork. Steinberger mentioned that he and OpenClaw board member Dave Morin attempted to reason with Anthropic, but their best outcome was merely a one-week delay.

Boris Cherny, from Anthropic’s Claude Code team, stated:
> Starting tomorrow at 12 PM PT, Claude subscriptions will no longer cover usage on third-party tools like OpenClaw.
> You can still access these tools with your Claude login through additional usage bundles (now available at a discount) or with a Claude API key.
> We’ve been working diligently to accommodate the rising demand for Claude, and our subscriptions weren’t designed for the usage patterns of these external tools. Capacity is a resource we manage carefully, prioritizing customers who use our products and API.
> Subscribers will receive a one-time credit equal to their monthly plan cost. If you require more, discounted usage bundles are now available for purchase. For those seeking a full refund, a link will be provided in your email tomorrow.
> We aim to manage our growth intentionally to sustainably serve our customers in the long run. This change is a step in that direction.

Anthropic has not yet responded to requests for further comment. OpenClaw surged in popularity earlier this year as users reported its effectiveness in managing tasks like inboxes, calendars, and flight check-ins. However, it appears to be straining Anthropic’s infrastructure. According to Cherny, subscribers will receive “a one-time credit equal to your monthly plan cost” following these changes.