Side-by-side comparison
Claude Code vs OpenAI Codex
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Which should you choose?
Both are coding agents from the model makers. Claude Code is included in paid Claude plans or runs on API tokens. OpenAI Codex is included in ChatGPT plans from Free to Enterprise, with usage shared with ChatGPT.
Choose Claude Code if…
- You want an agent for terminal, IDE and web that asks permission before changing files.
- You want issue-to-pull-request workflows on GitHub and GitLab and long refactors with test runs.
Choose OpenAI Codex if…
- You want to delegate tasks to a cloud or local agent and review the result as a pull request.
- You want to try it on a free ChatGPT plan with limits, or use CLI, IDE extension or SDK.
Check before you pay: Usage limits depend on your plan on both. Codex shares its allowance with ChatGPT and some features are region or plan limited. Check what your plan includes before relying on either for heavy daily use.
Based on our directory records reviewed 24 October 2026, not on a hands-on test. Confirm current plans with each provider.
Tip: on a small screen, swipe the table sideways.
| What matters | 💻 Claude Code | 💻 OpenAI Codex |
|---|---|---|
| What it does | Anthropic coding agent for the terminal, IDEs and web that fixes bugs, runs tests and handles refactors, included in Claude paid plans. | OpenAI coding agent for cloud tasks, CLI, IDE extension and SDK, included in ChatGPT plans from Free to Enterprise. |
| Best for | Claude Code suits developers who want an agent that reads a whole codebase, makes multi-file changes and runs commands under their approval. | OpenAI Codex suits developers who want to delegate coding tasks to a cloud or local agent and review the result as a pull request. |
| Pricing model | Paid | Free plan + paid |
| Plans | Plan details not recorded yet | Plan details not recorded yet |
| Free-plan limits | Claude Code is included with paid Claude plans: Pro, Max, Team and Enterprise, all with usage limits. It can also run on Claude Console API tokens at standard API pricing. Max plans include monthly API credits, and fast mode is a research preview billed at higher rates. Check current limits before relying on it for heavy daily use. | Codex is available on ChatGPT Free, Go, Plus, Pro, Business, Edu and Enterprise plans, with usage shared with ChatGPT. API-key access is billed at standard API pricing. Some features, such as computer use, are regionally limited on some plans, so check what your plan includes. |
| Platforms | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, API |
| Key capabilities | Codebase mapping and explanation Terminal, IDE, web, desktop and mobile access GitHub and GitLab issue-to-pull-request workflows Runs tests and long refactors MCP server and command-line tool connections | Local and cloud task execution Sandboxing and permission controls GitHub pull request reviews Skills, plugins and MCP servers Subagents and scheduled tasks |
| Strengths | Works across terminal, IDE and web Asks permission before changing files Handles multi-step refactors and test runs | Several ways to run it: cloud, CLI, IDE and SDK Available on a free ChatGPT plan with limits Review and delegation features for GitHub |
| Limitations | No standing free plan is stated on the product page Subscription usage limits can bind on large tasks | Usage limits depend on plan and shared with ChatGPT Some features are region or plan limited |
| No signup required | Not verified | Not verified |
| No credit card required | Not verified | Not verified |
| Free trial | Not verified | Not verified |
| Details last reviewed | 2026-10-15 | 2026-10-15 |
| Official pricing / source | Check pricing | Check pricing |
| Next step |
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