The AI world was rocked when Anthropic suddenly placed its crown jewel behind a paywall. Claude 3.7 Sonnet—the revolutionary hybrid reasoning model that combines lightning-fast responses with transparent, step-by-step thinking—has been yanked from free access. But is this the end of the road for budget-conscious AI enthusiasts? Not by a long shot.
The Great Claude Disappearing Act: What Really Happened?
One day you're chatting with Claude 3.7 Sonnet, the next you're staring at an upgrade prompt. Sound familiar? Countless users have reported the same jarring experience—after a single interaction, they were met with a notification demanding a Pro plan upgrade to continue. This isn't without precedent; Claude 3.5 Sonnet underwent a similar temporary removal before eventually returning to the free tier.
While Anthropic remains tight-lipped about whether this is a permanent change, savvy users have already discovered ingenious workarounds. I've personally tested three methods that provide legitimate, free access to this powerhouse AI—no subscription required.
The Cursor Hack: Your Express Lane to Claude 3.7 Sonnet
Among the three methods I've discovered, Cursor offers the most elegant solution for accessing Claude 3.7 Sonnet without opening your wallet. This AI-enhanced code editor has somehow managed to integrate Claude 3.7 Sonnet directly into its platform—and remarkably, they're offering it to all users regardless of subscription status.
The two-minute setup that unlocks unlimited Claude access:
Step 1: Get Cursor on your machine: Head to Cursor's official website and download the version that matches your OS. The installation is refreshingly straightforward—if you've installed VS Code before, you'll feel right at home.
Step 2: Flip the Claude switch: Once installed, launch Cursor and navigate to the model selection settings. Look for Claude 3.7 Sonnet in the dropdown and select it.
Just like that, you've unlocked the full power of Claude 3.7 Sonnet without spending a penny.
The GitHub Copilot Loophole: 30 Days of Claude Bliss
Not to be outdone, GitHub has created another pathway to Claude 3.7 Sonnet through their Copilot Pro free trial. While not a permanent solution, this method gives you a full 30 days to leverage Claude's capabilities without touching your credit card (though you'll need to provide billing info upfront).
In a surprising move, GitHub has integrated Claude 3.7 Sonnet into Copilot's premium tiers. This means you can access Claude through Copilot Chat in Visual Studio Code, Visual Studio, and even directly on github.com/copilot—environments many developers already live in.
Your 4-step path to 30 days of free Claude:
Step 1: Activate the trial: Visit GitHub's Copilot Pro page and sign up for their 30-day trial. Yes, you'll need to enter payment details, but set a calendar reminder and you won't be charged.
Step 2: Tool up with extensions: Make sure you've installed the necessary Copilot extensions in your preferred environment (VS Code, Visual Studio, or directly on GitHub).
Step 3: Unleash Claude: With your Copilot Pro trial active, you can now select Claude 3.7 Sonnet from the model selector within Copilot Chat.
Step 4: Escape before billing: The most crucial step—cancel your subscription before the 30-day window closes to avoid any charges.
The ByteDance Breakthrough: Trae's Unlimited Claude Access
The most surprising contender in this space comes from ByteDance. Their new code editor, Trae, offers what might be the most generous Claude 3.7 Sonnet access policy of all—completely unlimited free access with no strings attached.
Unlike Cursor and GitHub Copilot, which have various limitations or trial periods, Trae has democratized access to Claude 3.7 Sonnet for everyone. This is a game-changer for developers who need Claude's advanced capabilities but can't justify the subscription cost.
Three steps to unlimited Claude access:
Step 1: Download Trae: Visit Trae's official website and grab the version for your operating system.
Step 2: Quick configuration: After installation, open Trae and find the AI model settings.
Step 3: Select your powerhouse: Choose Claude 3.7 Sonnet from the available models and start leveraging its capabilities immediately.
The Claude Conundrum: Solved
The sudden removal of Claude 3.7 Sonnet from free access left many users scrambling for alternatives. But as we've seen, where there's a will, there's a way—or in this case, three ways:
- Cursor – The straightforward solution with seamless integration
- GitHub Copilot – The 30-day trial that gives you ample time to explore
- Trae – The unexpected hero offering unlimited access with no strings attached
I've personally tested all three methods and can confirm they work as of March 2025. The landscape of AI access is constantly shifting, but for now, these pathways remain open for anyone looking to harness Claude 3.7 Sonnet's impressive capabilities without opening their wallet.
What's your experience with these methods? Have you found other ways to access Claude 3.7 Sonnet for free? Share your thoughts and discoveries in the comments below—the AI community thrives when we collaborate and share knowledge!
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