Claude Code
5/5tests
- Time
- 00:48
- Cost
- $1.22
Head-to-head · profiles checked Sep 29, 2026
Codex vs Claude Code in 2026: which coding agent fits your work
Pick Codex if you already pay for ChatGPT or want a free coding agent; pick Claude Code if you work in the terminal and have a Claude plan. Codex is included from the Free ChatGPT plan, with Go at $8/mo and Plus at $20/mo. Claude Code starts at $20/mo on Claude Pro and is not in the Free Claude plan.
Starting price$0/mo (Free) · $20/mo (Pro)OpenAI Codex · Claude Code
Free tierYes · NoOpenAI Codex · Claude Code
Plans documented6 · 5OpenAI Codex · Claude Code
Task 01 benchmarkPending · 5 of 5 tests, 48 sOpenAI Codex · Claude Code
We wrote this from our verified profiles of both tools, checked on September 29, 2026, plus our own benchmark task where only Claude Code has run so far; we use no third-party benchmarks and take no vendor payments.
Is OpenAI Codex better than Claude Code? The short answer
Pick Codex if you already pay for ChatGPT, want a free plan to try, or need an open-source CLI plus a cloud agent on the web and iOS. Pick Claude Code if you already have, or will buy, a Claude Pro, Max, Team or Enterprise plan and want a terminal-first agent that edits multiple files and runs commands. On our first benchmark task, only Claude Code has a completed run (5 of 5 tests, 48 seconds, $1.22 at API list price); Codex is still pending, so we make no speed or quality claim between them.
Based on our profiles of OpenAI Codex and Claude Code, both verified on September 29, and benchmark task 01 (orders report), where Claude Code ran on October 2 and the Codex run is still pending.
OpenAI Codex or Claude Code: which to use, by task
If you only want the answer, this is the table. Everything below is the evidence from the two documented profiles.
| You want to | Use | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Try a coding agent for free | OpenAI Codex | Codex is included in the Free ChatGPT plan; Claude Code is not in the Free Claude plan |
| Make quick small edits and ask short questions | OpenAI Codex | Codex lists quick coding tasks as a use case, from the Free and Go plans up |
| Build a feature across several files | Claude Code | Claude Code lists multi-file feature work with edits across files |
| Fix a bug from an error message | Claude Code | Claude Code traces the cause in the repo and proposes a fix |
| Review pull requests automatically | OpenAI Codex | Codex lists automatic code review on connected GitHub repositories (not with an API key) |
| Start work from Slack | Either | Codex and Claude Code both list Slack entry points; Codex's Slack integration is cloud-only and not available with an API key |
| Run jobs in CI with an API key | Either | Codex supports an API-key option for CI; Claude Code can be billed by token through a Console account |
| Work inside JetBrains | Claude Code | Claude Code lists a JetBrains plugin; Codex lists VS Code, Cursor and Windsurf |
| Use it from a phone | Either | Codex runs on iOS (Plus plan); Claude Code has iOS and Android apps |
| Write tests and automate repetitive dev chores | Claude Code | Claude Code lists writing and fixing tests, lint errors, merge conflicts and release notes |
Who should pick which
Pick OpenAI Codex if
- You already use ChatGPT: Codex usage is shared with your plan.
- You want to try it for free: a Free ChatGPT plan includes Codex, with the desktop app listed.
- You want an open-source CLI installable by script, npm or Homebrew.
- You run CI and want to pay API rates with an API key, knowing GitHub code review and Slack are not available that way.
Pick Claude Code if
- You already subscribe to Claude Pro or Max: Claude Code is included.
- You work mainly in the terminal, VS Code or JetBrains and want multi-file edits and command runs.
- You want to start from Slack or GitHub, or use the iOS and Android apps.
- You prefer to pay by token through an Anthropic Console account instead of a subscription.
What OpenAI Codex does better, and what Claude Code does better
OpenAI Codex
- Free plan: a Free ChatGPT plan includes Codex, so you can try it at $0.
- Open-source CLI installable by script, npm or Homebrew.
- Automatic code review on connected GitHub repositories with a ChatGPT plan.
- Usage shared with the ChatGPT plan you already have.
Claude Code
- JetBrains plugin alongside VS Code and Cursor extensions.
- Android app and iOS app, plus Slack and GitHub entry points.
- Multi-file feature work and bug tracing across a repo.
- Documented SSO, SCIM, audit logs and HIPAA-ready offering on business plans.
OpenAI Codex vs Claude Code pricing: plans and free tiers
| Plan | Tool | Price | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Codex Free | OpenAI Codex | $0/mo | Desktop app only listed; usage limits apply |
| Codex Go | OpenAI Codex | $8/mo | Desktop app only listed; usage limits apply |
| Codex Plus | OpenAI Codex | $20/mo | Usage limits apply |
| Codex Pro | OpenAI Codex | $100, $200 or $500/mo (tier mapping not confirmed) | Higher usage than Plus |
| Codex Business | OpenAI Codex | $25/user/mo billed monthly ($20 annual) | Usage limits apply |
| Codex API key | OpenAI Codex | Pay per API token | No GitHub code review or Slack |
| Claude Pro | Claude Code | $20/mo billed monthly | Usage limits apply; more usage than Free |
| Claude Max 5x | Claude Code | $100/mo | 5x the usage of Pro; usage limits apply |
| Claude Max 20x | Claude Code | $200/mo | 20x the usage of Pro; usage limits apply |
| Claude Team (standard seat) | Claude Code | $25/seat/mo billed monthly | Teams of 2 to 150; more usage than Pro |
| Claude Enterprise | Claude Code | Seat plus usage at API rates | Spend limits set by admins |
USD as published on each vendor's pricing page, checked Sep 29, 2026. OpenAI Codex pricing in full · Claude Code pricing in full
Usage limits: what the vendors state
| OpenAI Codex | Claude Code | |
|---|---|---|
| Messages / rate limits | Usage limits apply per plan; ChatGPT credits can extend usage | Usage limits apply per plan; Max 5x and 20x give 5x and 20x the usage of Pro |
| Context / file size | Not stated | Not stated |
| Seats / team | Business plan at $25/user/mo billed monthly | Team plan for 2 to 150 seats; Enterprise spend limits set by admins |
Feature comparison
| Feature | OpenAI Codex | Claude Code |
|---|---|---|
| Terminal CLI | Yes (open source) | Yes |
| IDE extensions | VS Code, Cursor, Windsurf | VS Code, Cursor, JetBrains |
| Desktop app | Yes | Yes (paid subscription required) |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile apps | iOS | iOS and Android |
| Slack | Yes (cloud features, not with an API key) | Yes (entry point listed) |
| GitHub | Code review (not with an API key) | Yes (entry point listed) |
| API | API key, billed at API rates | Anthropic Console account, billed per token |
Privacy and data training
| OpenAI Codex | Claude Code | |
|---|---|---|
| Training on your data | Not stated: the privacy page returned 404 when we checked | Opt-out on Free, Pro and Max; none by default on Team and Enterprise (per the pricing page) |
| Retention | Not stated | Not stated; custom retention controls listed for Enterprise only |
| Business controls | Not stated | SSO and SCIM, audit logs and Compliance API, IP allowlisting, HIPAA-ready offering |
Taken from each vendor's published policy pages at the time of our check. Policies change; the source links are at the bottom.
Our hands-on benchmark
Starting from a 40-line Python package with 5 failing tests: fix CSV date parsing and a trailing blank line, add totals_by_customer(), and add a --top N CLI flag. Standard library only, tests must not be edited.
OpenAI Codex
—not yet run
Cost per answer on the API
Support assistant: 2,500 input + 500 output tokens
| Model | Tool | Cost per answer |
|---|---|---|
| gpt-6.1-sol | OpenAI Codex | $0.0100 |
| gpt-6-luna | OpenAI Codex | $0.0005 |
| gpt-5.6-sol | OpenAI Codex | $0.0200 |
| Claude Sonnet 5.5 | Claude Code | $0.0100 |
| Claude Opus 5.5 | Claude Code | $0.0200 |
| Claude Haiku 4.5 | Claude Code | $0.0050 |
USD at list API prices from research/pricing/models.json; chat subscriptions are flat-rate and not included Run your own numbers in the calculator.
Switching between OpenAI Codex and Claude Code: what carries over
OpenAI Codex → Claude CodeCarries over
- Terminal workflow and VS Code or Cursor setup
- Slack and GitHub entry points
- API-style billing through a Console account
- Free plan access
- Windsurf extension
- Shared usage with your ChatGPT plan
Claude Code → OpenAI CodexCarries over
- Terminal workflow and VS Code or Cursor setup
- Desktop app and web access
- API-key billing for CI
- JetBrains plugin
- Android app
- Claude Max usage tiers
Pros and cons
OpenAI Codex
- Free plan available to try Codex
- Several surfaces: CLI, IDE, app, web
- API-key option for CI
- Usage limits apply per plan
- API-key use lacks GitHub code review and Slack
- Free and Go plans list the desktop app only
Claude Code
- Available on terminal, IDE, desktop and web
- Included in Pro and Max plans
- Native installs update automatically
- Not included in the Free Claude plan
- Most surfaces need a Claude subscription or Console account
- Console use is billed by token, so costs are harder to predict
The two tools
OpenAI's coding agent for the CLI, IDE extension, desktop app, web and iOS, included in ChatGPT plans or billed by API.
Free stops at: Desktop app only listed, Usage limits apply
Listed Not yet reviewed
Verified developers.openai.com (opens OpenAI Codex website in a new tab)
Free · paid from $8/mo US · checked Sep 29
Anthropic's agentic coding tool that reads your codebase, edits files and runs commands from the terminal, IDEs, desktop app or browser.
Watch out: Not included in the Free Claude plan, and usage on subscriptions is capped by plan limits.
Listed Not yet reviewed
Verified code.claude.com (opens Claude Code website in a new tab)
From $20/mo US · checked Sep 29
OpenAI Codex or Claude Code: how to choose
- Already pay for ChatGPT? Start with Codex, since usage is shared with your plan.
- Want to try for free first? Only Codex has a free plan.
- Use JetBrains or need an Android app? Choose Claude Code.
- Run CI on API billing? Codex and Claude Code both work, but Codex loses GitHub code review and Slack with an API key.
- Need documented SSO, SCIM and audit logs? Claude Code lists them; Codex does not state them.
- No strong tie either way: try Codex free, then move to Claude Code if you want terminal-first multi-file work.
Frequently asked questions
Is OpenAI Codex or Claude Code cheaper?
OpenAI Codex is cheaper to start: Codex has a $0 Free plan and an $8/mo Go plan, while Claude Code starts at Pro for $20/mo billed monthly. Codex and Claude Code both also offer usage-based billing, by API key for Codex and by Console account for Claude Code. Real cost depends on how much you use each, which we have not measured for Codex.
Can I use Codex or Claude Code for free?
Codex can be used for free because the Free ChatGPT plan includes Codex, with the desktop app listed and usage limits. Claude Code cannot: Claude Code is not included in the Free Claude plan and needs a paid subscription or a Console account billed by tokens.
Did Codex or Claude Code perform better in your benchmark?
No winner yet: only Claude Code has a completed run. On task 01 (fix CSV date parsing, add totals_by_customer(), add a --top N flag), Claude Code passed 5 of 5 tests in 48 seconds at $1.22 at API list price, run headless with the reviewer's own settings active. The Codex run is pending, so there is nothing to compare.
Do Codex and Claude Code work with my editor?
Codex lists extensions for VS Code, Cursor and Windsurf. Claude Code lists VS Code, Cursor and JetBrains extensions. Codex and Claude Code both also have a CLI and a desktop app.
Is Codex better than Claude Code?
Neither wins outright from documented features. Codex is the cheaper start because a Free ChatGPT plan includes it and its CLI is open source; Claude Code covers more surfaces (terminal, VS Code, JetBrains, desktop, web, iOS, Android) and needs a paid Claude plan from $20/mo. On our first benchmark task only Claude Code has a completed run, so we make no quality claim.
Can I use Codex and Claude Code together?
Yes, Codex and Claude Code can be used together. They are separate agents billed through separate plans (ChatGPT and Claude), so you can install both CLIs in the same repository and use each for different tasks.
Sources
- https://developers.openai.com/codex/
- https://developers.openai.com/codex/pricing
- https://developers.openai.com/codex/cli
- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/openai/codex/main/README.md
- https://learn.chatgpt.com/docs
- https://code.claude.com/docs/en/overview
- https://code.claude.com/docs/en/costs
- https://www.anthropic.com/pricing
- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/anthropics/claude-code/main/README.md
- https://claude.com/pricing
- https://claude.com/product/claude-code
- https://code.claude.com/docs
Only official vendor pages. No third-party benchmarks, forum threads or press were used. How we review.