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WhichAgent

OpenAI Codex

Coding agent by OpenAI

ActiveOpen source · Apache-2.0Verified Oct 22, 2026
Website Docs Source

OpenAI's coding agent, available as an open-source terminal CLI, an IDE extension, a mode in the ChatGPT desktop app, and a cloud agent that runs tasks and opens pull requests. Usage is included in ChatGPT plans or billed per token with an API key.

Key facts

Type
Coding agent · CLI, IDE extension, Desktop app, Cloud agent, Web
Pricing
Free tier, paid from $8/mo
Free tier
ChatGPT Free and Go include limited Codex in the desktop app (GPT-6 Luna at standard speed, subject to rollout), without Codex Cloud. The CLI can also run on an OpenAI API key billed per token, or on local models through Ollama or LM Studio.
License
Apache-2.0
Models
GPT, Local models via Ollama or LM Studio, Custom OpenAI-compatible providers
Platforms
macOS, Windows, Linux, Web
Bring your own API key
Yes
Local models
Yes
MCP support
Yes
Self-hostable
No
GitHub stars
130,413
Last commit
Oct 22, 2026

OpenAI Codex pricing

Free

$0/month

Limited Codex in the desktop app with GPT-6 Luna at standard speed, subject to rollout; no Codex Cloud

Go

$8/month

Codex in the desktop app with GPT-6 Luna at standard speed, subject to rollout; no Codex Cloud. No annual billing

Plus

$20/month

Codex on web, CLI, IDE extension and iOS with GPT-6.1 Sol and GPT-6 Luna; automatic code review and Slack; buy credits past the limits. No annual billing

Pro 100

$100/month

Higher limits than Plus; no 5-hour limit at present (weekly limits may apply). No annual billing

Pro 200

$200/month

More usage than Pro 100. New subscribers get a lower allowance than existing ones, who keep theirs through Oct 29, 2026

Pro 500

$500/month

Highest usage; the only individual plan with Ultrafast mode

Business Standard seat

$25/month

$20/month billed yearly

Minimum 2 seats. Pooled credits for extra usage; admin controls for models, speed and cloud access

Business Premium seat

$125/month

$100/month billed yearly

Higher limits than a Standard seat

Enterprise & Edu

Custom

Contact sales. Plus-level limits per seat, or no fixed limits with flexible pricing and a shared credit pool

Full OpenAI Codex pricing guide: usage limits, API costs and which plan to pick →

Best for

  • ChatGPT subscribers who want a coding agent without a separate subscription
  • Developers who want an open-source CLI agent they can inspect or extend
  • Running agents in CI with an API key

Pros

  • CLI is open source under Apache-2.0
  • Included in ChatGPT plans from Free upward
  • Supports local models (Ollama, LM Studio) and custom providers in the CLI
  • Works in VS Code, Cursor, Windsurf, JetBrains, and Xcode

Cons

  • Cloud features (GitHub code review, Slack) need a ChatGPT plan, not an API key
  • Usage limits vary by model and task and are hard to predict
  • Hosted plans center on OpenAI models

How OpenAI Codex compares

Claude Code vs OpenAI Codex

Both cost $20/month to start and do the same core job, so pick by ecosystem.

Updated Oct 22, 2026

OpenAI Codex vs Cursor

If you want OpenAI's models, pick Codex: it's included in ChatGPT plans (limited on Free and Go, full from Plus at $20/month), while Cursor's plans include only its own Grok and Composer models and bill GPT at API list price from the $30 Premium plan.

Updated Oct 22, 2026

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