Feb 12, 2026 13:35:00

Free Claude users can now create files, connect to external services, and use skills

While major companies like OpenAI are trying to increase profitability by

integrating ads into their chat AI , Anthropic, which operates Claude, has stated that it will not introduce ads, saying, 'Including ads in conversations with Claude is incompatible with a truly helpful assistant.' Additionally, Anthropic announced that free users can now upgrade their free plan to access some of Claude's features, which were previously only available to paid users.

We're bringing some of Claude's most-used features to the free plan.

File creation, connectors, and skills are all now available without a subscription. pic.twitter.com/6EjrwLTWVQ

— Claude (@claudeai) February 11, 2026

Anthropic beefs up Claude's free tier as OpenAI prepares to stuff ads into ChatGPT's
https://www.engadget.com/ai/anthropic-beefs-up-claudes-free-tier-as-openai-prepares-to-stuff-ads-into-chatgpts-194100939.html

Claude is a free chat AI, but there are also paid subscriptions for the Pro version with enhanced functionality, the Max version with higher output limits and early access to advanced features, and for enterprise use and APIs.

In September 2025, a file creation feature was added to Claude for paid users. Users can now create and edit Excel spreadsheets, PowerPoint presentations, Word documents, PDFs, and more.

Anthropic announced on February 11, 2026 that it would expand this file creation feature to free users. Claude's file creation feature is powered by Sonnet 4.5 .

Additionally, the '

connectors ' that connect Claude to external services were previously only available to paid users, but are now available to free users as well. However, when using the API, a fee based on the number of tokens is required.

Additionally, free members can now use the 'Skills' feature, which allows Claude to learn how to perform specific tasks repeatedly. Free plan upgrades also include enhancements and improvements to basic features such as extended conversations, interactive responses, and voice and image search.

In response to concerns that the power consumption of AI data centers will lead to higher local electricity rates, Anthropic has pledged to cover the increased electricity costs for its data centers, stating, 'We will cover 100% of the costs of upgrading the grid, work to bring in new electricity, and invest in systems that reduce the strain on the grid so that ratepayers are not burdened.'

We're committing to cover electricity prices increases from our data centers.

To ensure ratepayers aren't picking up the tab, we'll pay 100% of grid upgrade costs, work to bring new power online, and invest in systems to reduce grid strain.

Read more: https://t.co/avOFlvRNpa

— Anthropic (@AnthropicAI) February 11, 2026