What does each one do?
Claude is Anthropic's AI assistant for chat, search, files and coding, including Claude Code. Free is $0; Pro, Max and Team plans add more usage and features [1]. Claude supports custom connectors over remote MCP on Free, Pro, Max, Team and Enterprise plans, with Free limited to one custom connector [2].
Torchrunner is one app for solo operators and small teams who do client work. Leads, contacts, companies and engagements sit on one record with the inbox (unlimited Gmail and Outlook accounts, plus Slack, WhatsApp, SMS, LinkedIn and Telegram), a business phone line, calendar and booking pages, projects and tasks, documents and notes, and your own books.
Archie and nine specialists do the work across those modules. Runners are automations that start on a real event and log every step. Anything that leaves the business, moves money or deletes data waits for a person's yes unless you choose otherwise.
How do they work together?
Both are AI that can reason over your work. On its own, Claude does not know your clients between sessions unless you give it the context.
Connected to Torchrunner, Claude works on the same records your team uses: the client, the engagement, the email thread, the project. Archie stays in the app: it reads the page you are on, routes work to the nine specialists and runs Runners. You choose which one to ask.
What does Torchrunner replace, and what does it connect to?
Nothing on the Claude side. Torchrunner replaces the CRM, inbox, phone, projects and books tools; Claude stays your AI.
Claude connects over MCP. Codex and Cursor connect through the desktop bridge, and Perplexity and Gemini connect too. You can also bring your own API key, in which case your provider bills you and processes the requests under its own terms.
How does pricing compare?
These are separate subscriptions, and you keep both. Torchrunner does not include or resell Claude usage. Archie runs on a model provider Torchrunner chooses by default.
| Claude [1] | Torchrunner | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Anthropic's AI assistant | One app for clients, email, phone, projects, documents and your own books, with Archie built in |
| $0 option | Free | Viewers and client portal users $0 |
| Pro | $20 a month, or $17 a month billed annually ($200 up front) | One plan: $199 a month with 1 seat and 1 engagement |
| Max | From $100 a month | Extra seat $79, extra engagement $99, per month |
| Team (Standard) | $25 per seat monthly, $20 per seat billed annually | Month to month |
| How they connect | Custom connectors over remote MCP [2] | Works with any agent that can use an MCP connector, with the same approvals |
Who should pick which?
Use Claude for open-ended thinking, writing, research and code, in Claude itself.
Use Torchrunner as the place the work and records live, with Claude connected so its answers land on the right client instead of in a chat you close.
Switching: what moves over?
Nothing moves. Connect Claude to Torchrunner as an MCP connector, approve what it may touch, and keep using Claude the way you do now.
Implementation, including setup and data migration, is done by AtPace, our implementation partner, and priced by AtPace. Once you are in, your data stays yours: export your records as a ZIP at any time, or schedule backups to your own SharePoint, OneDrive, Google Drive or Dropbox.
Questions
Does Torchrunner replace Claude?
No. Torchrunner works with Claude. Keep your Claude plan and connect it to your Torchrunner records over MCP.
What is the difference between Claude and Archie?
Claude is your own AI assistant from Anthropic. Archie is Torchrunner's built-in coordinator: it reads the page, client and engagement you are on and routes the work to nine specialists inside the app. They work side by side.
Does Torchrunner include Claude usage?
No. Your Claude plan stays with Anthropic. If you bring your own API key, your provider bills you directly.
Does Claude get the same approvals in Torchrunner?
Yes. Anything that leaves the business, moves money or deletes data waits for a person's yes, whichever AI asks.
Which other AI tools work with Torchrunner?
Claude, Codex, Cursor, Perplexity and Gemini, or your own API key.
Sources, checked October 25, 2026
Every Claude price, limit and feature above comes from Claude's own pages, opened on October 25, 2026. Vendors change prices often; check the source before you buy. Where a page did not say, we left the fact out.
- ›1. Claude pricing: https://claude.com/pricing
- ›2. Claude Help Center, custom connectors using remote MCP: https://support.claude.com/en/articles/11175166-getting-started-with-custom-connectors-using-remote-mcp
- ›Torchrunner prices: https://torchrunner.ai/pricing
Claude is a trademark of Anthropic, PBC. Other product names belong to their owners. Torchrunner is independent and is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by Claude.
- ›Torchrunner vs your whole stack: the eleven-tool stack, tool by tool
- ›Platform: every module, and Archie and the nine specialists
- ›Pricing: one plan, month to month, with worked examples
- ›Request access: access is by application