Claude Research is less a separate product than a mode: switch it on and Claude keeps searching until it has covered the question, including inside your own Google Workspace.
Key Takeaways
- Web plus your workspace. — Research reaches Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Docs and any custom connectors enabled in the chat.
- Paid plans only. — Pro, Max, Team and Enterprise. It shares usage limits with normal chats and uses them faster.
- Fixed model. — Research runs on Claude Opus 5.5, falling back to Opus 4.8, whatever model the chat is set to.
What does Claude Research do?
Anthropic introduced Research in April 2025 alongside a Google Workspace integration (Anthropic). Claude runs searches that build on each other, decides what to explore next and works through open questions. Under the hood, Anthropic described a lead agent that plans and starts parallel search subagents, plus a citation agent that attaches sources at the end (Anthropic Engineering).
Research works on web, desktop and mobile. It searches the web, Gmail, Calendar, Google Docs and custom connectors, which it uses without asking for approval each time. It runs on Claude Opus 5.5 with Opus 4.8 as fallback; on Team and Enterprise, it stops working if an admin disables both models for a role (Claude Help Center).
How does Claude Research score?
Editorial scores from published documentation and announcements through October 31, 2026, not benchmark results. Total: 16/20, on the same criteria as the Best AI Research Tools guide.
| Criterion | Score | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Depth | 4/5 | Multiple searches that build on each other; Anthropic's orchestrator-subagent design. |
| Citations | 4/5 | Cites sources; Anthropic's design adds a dedicated citation step. |
| Reach | 5/5 | Web, Gmail, Calendar, Google Docs and custom connectors. |
| Access | 3/5 | No free tier; usage drawn from the plan's shared limits. |
How is Claude Research priced?
Research is included on Pro, Max, Team and Enterprise and is not sold separately. It draws on the plan's normal usage limits, and research sessions use them faster because Claude retrieves many sources.
Who is Claude Research for?
- Fits: teams on Google Workspace that want research across their own mail, calendar and documents as well as the web; Claude users who want research without another tool.
- Look elsewhere: for a free tier (Gemini Deep Research), Microsoft 365 data (Copilot Researcher) or paper databases (Elicit).
What are the Claude Research alternatives?
- ChatGPT deep research: longer standalone reports, apps and MCP.
- Microsoft 365 Copilot Researcher: the same idea for Microsoft 365 data.
- Gemini Deep Research: free entry point.
- See the full ranking.
Related questions
- Which AI research agents are worth using in 2026?
- How reliable are research agent citations, and how should a company govern them? (partner site CTAIO)
- ChatGPT, Gemini or Perplexity: which deep research should you use?
- How do you get cited by Claude?
Sources
- Anthropic, Claude takes research to new places (Apr 15, 2025).
- Claude Help Center, Use research on Claude.
- Anthropic, How we built our multi-agent research system (Jun 13, 2025).
Does Claude have deep research?
Yes. Anthropic's feature is called Research. You turn it on from the plus menu in a chat; Claude then runs several searches that build on each other and writes a cited answer. It is available on Pro, Max, Team and Enterprise plans.
Can Claude Research read my email?
Yes, if you connect Google Workspace. Research can search Gmail, Google Calendar and Google Docs, and it uses other custom connectors enabled in the chat automatically. Research started on mobile searches only the web.
Does Claude Research cost extra?
No separate fee. It uses the same usage limits as normal conversations, but a research session reads many sources and uses those limits faster.
Ready to Find the Right AI Tools?
Browse our data-driven rankings to find the best AI tools for your team.