Claude Code vs OpenAI Codex
Short answer: Both are CLI coding agents. OpenAI Codex has the lower entry price ($8/month vs $20/month for Claude Code). OpenAI Codex has a free plan; Claude Code does not.
| Claude Code | OpenAI Codex | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | CLI coding agents | CLI coding agents |
| Vendor | Anthropic | OpenAI |
| Status | Active | Active |
| Free plan | No (Claude Free does not include Claude Code; "Claude Code is included in all paid plans.") | Yes (Codex is included in ChatGPT Free (quick coding tasks).) |
| Paid plans from | $20/mo | $8/mo |
| Plans | Pro: $20 · Max 5x: $100 · Max 20x: $200 · Team (standard seat): $25 · Team (premium seat): $125 · Enterprise: $20 (annual) | Free: Free · Go: $8 · Plus: $20 · Pro: $100 · Business: $25 · Enterprise & Edu: — |
| Open source | Not verified yet | Not verified yet |
| Editors named on vendor page | VS Code, JetBrains, terminal/CLI | terminal/CLI |
| Features named on vendor page | MCP, self-hosting, code review, test generation, debugging, refactoring, SSO/SAML | MCP, self-hosting, code review, code completion, security scanning, background/cloud agents, SSO/SAML |
| Model families named | Claude | Claude, OpenAI GPT |
| Checked | Oct 26, 2026 | Oct 26, 2026 |
“Named on vendor page” means the phrase appears on the vendor's own page we captured; it is not a hands-on test. Unknown values are left blank rather than guessed.
FAQ
Is Claude Code cheaper than OpenAI Codex?
OpenAI Codex has the lower entry price ($8/month vs $20/month for Claude Code). Prices are from each vendor's pricing page.
Do Claude Code and OpenAI Codex have free plans?
OpenAI Codex has a free plan; Claude Code does not.
What is the difference between Claude Code and OpenAI Codex?
Both are CLI coding agents. Claude Code is made by Anthropic; OpenAI Codex is made by OpenAI. See the table for plans, editors and features each vendor names.
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