Cursor vs OpenAI Codex
Short answer: Cursor is in AI IDEs; OpenAI Codex is in CLI coding agents, so they solve different parts of the job. Both start at $8/month. Both Cursor and OpenAI Codex have a free plan.
| Cursor | OpenAI Codex | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | AI IDEs | CLI coding agents |
| Vendor | Anysphere | OpenAI |
| Status | Active | Active |
| Free plan | Yes (Free: limited agent and chat requests.) | Yes (Codex is included in ChatGPT Free (quick coding tasks).) |
| Paid plans from | $8/mo | $8/mo |
| Plans | Free: Free · Plus: $8 · Premium: $30 · Super: $100 · Ultra: $200 · Teams: $30 · Enterprise: — | 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 | terminal/CLI | terminal/CLI |
| Features named on vendor page | code review, code completion, background/cloud agents, MCP, SSO/SAML | MCP, self-hosting, code review, code completion, security scanning, background/cloud agents, SSO/SAML |
| Model families named | OpenAI GPT, Gemini, Grok | 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 Cursor cheaper than OpenAI Codex?
Both start at $8/month. Prices are from each vendor's pricing page.
Do Cursor and OpenAI Codex have free plans?
Both Cursor and OpenAI Codex have a free plan.
What is the difference between Cursor and OpenAI Codex?
Cursor is in AI IDEs; OpenAI Codex is in CLI coding agents, so they solve different parts of the job. Cursor is made by Anysphere; OpenAI Codex is made by OpenAI. See the table for plans, editors and features each vendor names.
Sources
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