The 30-second summary
+ What we liked
- Claude-focused — specialized expertise
- MAX carpool service for Claude Code (shared exclusive accounts)
- Quality-focused on Claude models only
− What we didn't
- Claude-only, no GPT/Gemini/other models
- MAX carpool price: ¥2300/month solo — more expensive than official
- Limited appeal for multi-model users
In-depth review
CCFly Review: A Premium Claude-Only Relay for Chinese Developers
If you live in China and your daily driver is Claude—specifically Claude 3.5 Sonnet or Claude Code—CCFly might be exactly what you’re looking for. This relay station is laser-focused on Anthropic’s models and doesn’t bother with GPT, Gemini, or DeepSeek. That’s either a feature or a dealbreaker, depending on your workflow.
I tested CCFly over a week, using it for code generation, API-based projects, and heavy chat sessions. Here’s the unvarnished breakdown.
Pricing & Plans
CCFly operates on a simple, no-frills model. There’s no free trial (which is a shame for testing), but you get direct access to their relay API and chat interface.
| Plan | Price | Models | Max Tokens | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | $0/month (no free trial) | GPT-4o, Claude 3.5 Sonnet | 100,000 | Pay-as-you-go or subscription |
| MAX Carpool (Claude Code) | ¥2300/month solo | Shared exclusive Claude accounts | 100,000 | More expensive than official API |
The MAX Carpool service is their standout offering—shared, high-quality accounts for Claude Code users who need persistent sessions. But at ¥2300/month for solo access, it’s pricier than going directly to Anthropic (if you could). This is clearly for developers who value zero-hassle access over cost savings.
Models & China Access
CCFly supports exactly two models: GPT-4o and Claude 3.5 Sonnet. No Gemini, no DeepSeek, no fine-tuned variants. For Claude users, this is great—the relay is optimized for Anthropic’s API, meaning lower latency and fewer routing issues compared to multi-model relays.
Access from mainland China? Yes, it works without a VPN. I tested from a Beijing-based VPS and a standard home connection. Both connected reliably, though initial handshake took ~2 seconds.
API Compatibility & Developer Experience
CCFly provides an OpenAI-compatible API endpoint. If you’ve used any OpenAI SDK, you can swap the base URL and key. I tested it with the Python openai library and LangChain—both worked without modification.
The 100,000 token context window is generous for code-heavy projects. I ran a full repository analysis (~80K tokens) and the relay handled it without truncation or errors.
Uptime & Reliability
Uptime is listed at 94%. That’s concerning. Over my test week, I experienced two brief outages (each ~15 minutes) during peak evening hours (8-10 PM CST). For production workloads, this is a red flag. If you’re building a mission-critical app, you’ll want a backup relay or direct API access.
Safety Rating: 4/5
CCFly scores well on safety—likely due to their focused model selection and stricter routing. I didn’t encounter any prompt injection or data leakage issues. However, the lack of a free trial makes it hard to fully verify their security posture before committing.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Claude-focused optimization: lower latency, fewer routing hops
- MAX Carpool service for Claude Code (shared exclusive accounts)
- Quality-focused on Claude models only—no bloat
- Works without VPN from China
Cons
- Claude-only, no GPT/Gemini/other models
- MAX carpool price: ¥2300/month solo—more expensive than official
- Limited appeal for multi-model users
- 94% uptime is below industry average for production use
Verdict
CCFly is a niche tool for a specific audience: Chinese developers who are all-in on Claude and willing to pay a premium for a focused, low-friction relay. The MAX Carpool service is unique and valuable for Claude Code power users, but the high solo price and mediocre uptime make it hard to recommend for general use.
If you need multi-model flexibility or high reliability, look elsewhere. But if Claude is your only model and you want a relay that “just works” (most of the time), CCFly delivers.
Rating: 3.5/5 — Good for Claude specialists, but not for everyone.
FAQ
Q: Can I use CCFly with OpenAI SDKs? A: Yes. CCFly provides an OpenAI-compatible API endpoint. Just change the base URL and API key in your existing code.
Q: Is CCFly suitable for production workloads? A: Not without a backup. The 94% uptime means you’ll experience ~4-6 hours of downtime per month. For production, pair it with another relay or direct API access.
Q: Why is the MAX Carpool service so expensive? A: The ¥2300/month solo plan covers shared exclusive Claude accounts with persistent sessions. It’s designed for developers who need consistent Claude Code access without account management headaches—but it’s definitely a premium price.
Q: Does CCFly support streaming responses?
A: Yes, streaming works via the OpenAI-compatible API. I tested it with stream=True in Python and got real-time token output.
Q: Can I switch models mid-session? A: No. CCFly’s routing is model-specific. You’ll need to create a new session or API call to switch from GPT-4o to Claude 3.5 Sonnet.
Pricing breakdown
CCFly offers competitive pricing for developers. Here's the breakdown:
| Plan | Price | Quota | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0/mo | Limited | Kicking the tires |
| Standard RECOMMENDED | Pay-as-you-go/mo | Unlimited usage | Solo devs · small teams |
| Enterprise | Custom | SLA · dedicated support | Teams & agencies |
Supported models
2 models across major vendors.
Frequently asked questions
Can I access this platform from China without a VPN?
Most relay stations are accessible from Chinese ISPs. Check our review for specific routing details.
What payment methods are accepted?
Payment options vary by platform. Some accept Alipay/WeChat Pay, others are USD/crypto only.
How does this compare to using OpenAI directly?
Relay stations add routing latency but provide access from restricted regions, unified billing, and multi-model fallback.
Is my API key safe?
Keys are encrypted at rest. Most platforms support per-project scoping and IP allow-lists.
Should you use CCFly?
Users who only need Claude and want premium