vs
Claude Code vs OpenAI Codex: Coding Agents Compared
Claude Code and OpenAI Codex are agentic coding tools that read a codebase, edit files and run tasks. Claude Code comes with Anthropic's paid Claude plans and runs Claude models only; Codex is bundled with ChatGPT plans, including limited use on the free tier.
The short answer
Pick Claude Code if you already pay for a Claude plan and want an agent across terminal, IDEs, desktop, web and Slack for long multi-step tasks. Pick Codex if you want to start free or cheaply through ChatGPT, or need GitHub code review and Slack on Plus and above.
Side by sideClaude Code vs OpenAI Codex
| Claude Code | OpenAI Codex | |
|---|---|---|
| Company | Anthropic | OpenAI |
| Pricing | Paid | Freemium |
| Starts at | $17/month (Pro, billed annually at $200 up front; $20 if billed monthly) | $8/month (Go) |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Platforms | windows, macos, web, ios, android, ide-plugin, api | windows, macos, web, ios, ide-plugin, api |
| Models used | Claude models (Opus 5.5, Sonnet, Haiku families) | GPT-6 family (GPT-6.1 Sol, GPT-6 Luna, GPT-6 Sol) |
| Best for | Developers who want an agent that can carry out multi-step coding tasks such as bug fixes, tests and migrations from the terminal or IDE. | ChatGPT subscribers who want a coding agent that runs locally and in the cloud with GitHub and Slack integrations. |
Facts in this table come from the verified profile of each product.
Key differences
Pro at $17/month billed annually ($200 up front), or $20 billed monthly. Max from $100/month.
Go at $8/month; Plus $20, Pro from $100; Business $20/user/month annually or $25 monthly.
None: Claude Code is not included in the Free Claude plan.
ChatGPT Free: quick coding tasks with GPT-6 Luna in the Codex desktop app, subject to rollout.
Claude models only (Opus 5.5, Sonnet and Haiku families).
GPT-6 family (GPT-6.1 Sol, GPT-6 Luna, GPT-6 Sol).
Terminal, VS Code-family and JetBrains IDEs, desktop, web, iOS, Android and Slack; Linux also supported.
Desktop app, CLI, IDE extension, web and iOS.
Subscription, or pay-as-you-go through a Claude Console account at API rates.
ChatGPT plans, or pay-per-use with an API key (without cloud features like GitHub review and Slack).
Long multi-step tasks such as bug fixes, tests and migrations.
Local and cloud coding with GitHub code review and Slack integrations on Plus and above.
Choose Claude Code if…
- You already subscribe to Claude Pro, Max, Team or Enterprise.
- You run long multi-step tasks like migrations and test suites.
- You work in JetBrains or VS Code-family IDEs or on Android.
- You want Slack access alongside terminal and IDE use.
Choose OpenAI Codex if…
- You want to try a coding agent on a free plan.
- You want the cheapest paid entry, Go at $8/month.
- You need GitHub code review from the agent.
- You already pay for ChatGPT Plus or Pro.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a free version of Claude Code or Codex?
Codex offers quick coding tasks with GPT-6 Luna to ChatGPT Free users in the desktop app, subject to rollout. Claude Code is not part of the Free Claude plan; it starts with Pro at $17/month billed annually or $20 monthly.
Can I use Claude Code or Codex with an API key?
Yes. Claude Code works with a Claude Console account at API rates. Codex supports pay-per-use with an API key, but that mode lacks cloud features such as GitHub code review and Slack.
Which models do Claude Code and Codex use?
Claude Code uses Claude models only, including Opus 5.5 and the Sonnet and Haiku families. Codex uses OpenAI's GPT-6 family: GPT-6.1 Sol, GPT-6 Sol and GPT-6 Luna.
More comparisons
All comparisons
vs
ChatGPT vs Claude
ChatGPT from OpenAI and Claude from Anthropic are general-purpose AI assistants, each with a free plan and paid tiers. ChatGPT covers a…
vs
ChatGPT vs Google Gemini
ChatGPT from OpenAI and Google Gemini are general-purpose AI assistants with free plans and several paid tiers. The main difference is ecosystem:…
vsClaude vs Google Gemini
Claude from Anthropic and Google Gemini are AI assistants with free and paid plans. Claude focuses on writing, document analysis and coding…
vs
ChatGPT vs Perplexity
ChatGPT is OpenAI's general-purpose assistant for chat, writing, coding, images and research. Perplexity is an answer engine that responds with inline source…
vs
Cursor vs GitHub Copilot
Cursor is an AI-first code editor and coding agent from Anysphere, now part of SpaceX. GitHub Copilot adds suggestions, chat, an agent…
vs
Lovable vs Bolt.new
Lovable and Bolt.new are browser-based builders that create web apps and sites from a chat prompt, both with built-in hosting. Lovable meters…