Claude Opus 5 vs Claude Opus 5.5
Claude Opus 5.5 leads overall, C+ to C. Claude Opus 5.5 is about 2.0x cheaper per task. By suite, real-world issues is even at C- and Claude Opus 5.5 takes spec planning (C+ to C). Take Claude Opus 5 anyway when you want the side that is faster on real-world issues.Measured
Each agent graded on the same private suites, running headless through its own tools. Advantages are oriented so a win is a win, whichever way the metric runs.
Verdict: Claude Opus 5.5 vs Claude Opus 5
Claude Opus 5.5 leads overall, C+ to C. By suite: real-world issues is even at C- (57% vs 60% capability); Claude Opus 5.5 takes spec planning, C+ to C (69% vs 66% capability); Claude Opus 5.5 takes vibe coding, B to C+ (85% vs 72% capability). Claude Opus 5 used 2% of Claude Max 5x's weekly limit per pass, $0.024 per task at the listed price. Claude Opus 5.5 used 1% of Claude Max 5x's weekly limit per pass, $0.012 per task at the listed price. Per task, Claude Opus 5.5 is about 2.0x cheaper ($0.012 vs $0.024). Claude Opus 5 is faster on real-world issues: a median task takes 1m 56s against 2m 18s. Both finished every task on it. Reasons to pick Claude Opus 5 anyway: it is faster on real-world issues (1m 56s vs 2m 18s median).
Changed since W32: Claude Opus 5: real-world issues usage 3% to 1% of the weekly limit.
| Dimension | Claude Opus 5 | Claude Opus 5.5 | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capability | 57% | 60% | +3% (Claude Opus 5.5 leads) |
| Median task time | 1m 56s | 2m 18s | 22s faster (Claude Opus 5 leads) |
| Approx. task cost | $0.015 / task | $0.015 / task | Even |
Claude Opus 5: 21.0% of Claude Max 5x (21.0% / 5h, 1.0% / 1w) per run. Its weekly limit holds about 14.6 of the week's 33.6 5h windows. Claude Opus 5.5: 16.0% of Claude Max 5x (16.0% / 5h, 1.0% / 1w) per run. Its weekly limit holds about 14.6 of the week's 33.6 5h windows. Each figure is a share of that agent's own plan, so there is no delta to draw.
Work per window: Claude Opus 5 696 vs Claude Opus 5.5 913 suite runs per month (Claude Opus 5.5 leads); per plan-dollar: 6.96 vs 9.13 (Claude Opus 5.5 leads). Work figures compare outputs, so unlike quota shares they are comparable across plans.
| Dimension | Claude Opus 5 | Claude Opus 5.5 | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capability | 66% | 69% | +3% (Claude Opus 5.5 leads) |
| Median task time | 2m 9s | 3m 45s | 1m 37s faster (Claude Opus 5 leads) |
| Approx. task cost | $0.057 / task | $0.010 / task | $0.047 / task lower (Claude Opus 5.5 leads) |
Claude Opus 5: 6.0% of Claude Max 5x (6.0% / 5h, 1.0% / 1w) per run. Its weekly limit holds about 14.6 of the week's 33.6 5h windows. Claude Opus 5.5: 6.0% of Claude Max 5x (6.0% / 5h) per run. Its weekly limit holds about 14.6 of the week's 33.6 5h windows. Each figure is a share of that agent's own plan, so there is no delta to draw.
Work per window: Claude Opus 5 2435 vs Claude Opus 5.5 2435 suite runs per month (Claude Opus 5 leads); per plan-dollar: 24.35 vs 24.35 (Claude Opus 5 leads). Work figures compare outputs, so unlike quota shares they are comparable across plans.
| Dimension | Claude Opus 5 | Claude Opus 5.5 | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capability | 72% | 85% | +13% (Claude Opus 5.5 leads) |
| Median task time | 2m 51s | 2m 27s | 25s faster (Claude Opus 5.5 leads) |
| Approx. task cost | $0.011 / task | $0.046 / task | $0.035 / task lower (Claude Opus 5 leads) |
Claude Opus 5: 1.6% of Claude Max 5x (1.6% / 5h) per good solve. Its weekly limit holds about 14.6 of the week's 33.6 5h windows. Claude Opus 5.5: 0.8% of Claude Max 5x (0.8% / 5h, 0.2% / 1w) per good solve. Its weekly limit holds about 14.6 of the week's 33.6 5h windows. Each figure is a share of that agent's own plan, so there is no delta to draw.
Work per window: Claude Opus 5 9131 vs Claude Opus 5.5 18263 good solves per month (Claude Opus 5.5 leads); per plan-dollar: 91.31 vs 182.63 (Claude Opus 5.5 leads). Work figures compare outputs, so unlike quota shares they are comparable across plans.
Grades and deltas are comparable only within a suite version. See methodology.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better for coding, Claude Opus 5 or Claude Opus 5.5?
Claude Opus 5.5 clears higher: tier 4 of 5 versus tier 2 for Claude Opus 5 on real-world@v3, our private suite of real-world coding problems. Latest measurement 2026-09-21.
Which is cheaper per task, Claude Opus 5 or Claude Opus 5.5?
Claude Opus 5 used 2% of Claude Max 5x's weekly limit per pass, $0.024 per task at the listed price. Claude Opus 5.5 used 1% of Claude Max 5x's weekly limit per pass, $0.012 per task at the listed price. Per task, Claude Opus 5.5 is about 2.0x cheaper ($0.012 vs $0.024).
Which gives more coding work per dollar, Claude Opus 5 or Claude Opus 5.5?
Claude Opus 5.5 delivers more benchmark work per subscription dollar: 9.13 suite runs per plan-dollar versus 6.96 for Claude Opus 5 (at $100/month priced 2026-07-27, and $100/month priced 2026-07-27). Work figures compare outputs, so unlike raw quota shares they are comparable across plans.
What do Claude Opus 5 and Claude Opus 5.5 cost a month?
Claude Opus 5 runs on Claude Max 5x at $100/month (public price as of 2026-07-27). Claude Opus 5.5 runs on Claude Max 5x at $100/month (public price as of 2026-07-27).