If you’ve been using Claude on the free plan, you know the problem: every conversation starts from scratch. Claude didn’t know what you’re working on, what you prefer, or what projects you have going. That changes now.
Memory for Everyone
On March 2, Anthropic unlocked the Memory feature for all users – including the free tier. Previously, you needed at least the $20/month Pro plan. The feature automatically builds a summary of your conversations: preferences, projects, context. All stored in a text file you can view and edit anytime.
This isn’t a small update. Memory makes Claude useful across individual chats. Instead of explaining who you are and what you need every time, Claude builds an understanding over time.
The ChatGPT Import
What I find even more interesting is the second feature that launched the same day: an import tool for ChatGPT users. You can export your past conversations from ChatGPT and import them into Claude. That means you bring your entire context with you – no starting from zero.
Anthropic is making it as easy as possible for people to switch. And the timing is no coincidence.
The Numbers Speak for Themselves
Claude’s free-plan users are up 60% since the start of the year. Paid subscribers on Pro and Max plans have doubled. A significant portion of those are likely former ChatGPT users who switched during the #CancelChatGPT movement.
Anthropic is seizing the moment. And with the combination of free memory and an import tool, the company is making the switch as frictionless as possible.
My Take
Memory was one of the reasons I held onto ChatGPT Plus longer than I wanted to. That Claude now offers this for free is a smart move. And the import tool shows that Anthropic understands the biggest barrier to switching isn’t the tech – it’s the context you leave behind on the old platform.
Sources: