Compare / Head to head
Claude Code vs OpenAI Codex: which coding agent should you use?
Quick verdict
Both are excellent terminal-first coding agents. Claude Code is our top pick for autonomous multi-file work. Codex is the better value if you already pay for ChatGPT — it's included on every plan, even Free — and its cloud tasks and GitHub PR reviews are well integrated.
Comparison table
| Tool | Pricing | Free tier | Best for | Hosting | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SClaude Code | Included with Claude Pro ($17/mo annual, $20 monthly), Max from $100/mo, Team/Enterprise; or pay via API | No — Claude Code requires a paid plan or API usage | Terminal-first, autonomous multi-step engineering | Local CLI, IDE, desktop and web | Visit ↗ |
| SOpenAI Codex | Included in ChatGPT Free, Go $8/mo, Plus $20/mo, Pro from $100/mo, Business, Enterprise; or API-key usage | Yes — included in ChatGPT Free (limited) | ChatGPT users; parallel cloud tasks and GitHub PR reviews | Local CLI/IDE/desktop + cloud sandboxes | Visit ↗ |
Pricing checked on each vendor's official site on October 14, 2026. Prices change often — always confirm on the official site. "See site" means we couldn't verify it.
Who should pick which?
Pick Claude Code if…
You want the strongest long-horizon autonomy, subagents, skills and plugins, and you're happy on a Claude Pro or Max plan.
Try Claude Code ↗Pick OpenAI Codex if…
You already use ChatGPT, want parallel cloud tasks, @codex PR reviews in GitHub, or need to try an agent at no cost.
Try OpenAI Codex ↗FAQ
Is Codex free?
Codex is included in ChatGPT Free, Go ($8/month), Plus ($20/month), Pro (from $100/month), Business and Enterprise plans, with usage limits that vary by plan. You can also pay per use with an API key.
Is Claude Code free?
No. Claude Code requires a paid Claude plan (Pro from $17/month annual or $20 monthly, Max from $100/month, Team/Enterprise) or API credits.
Can I use both?
Yes. Both run as CLIs in any terminal and support MCP and AGENTS-style project instructions, so many developers keep both installed and pick per task.
Which is better for code review?
Codex has built-in GitHub code review and automatic PR reviews on ChatGPT plans. Claude Code can review code locally and via its GitHub integration.