Claude Code vs Codex CLI: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Claude Code and Codex CLI side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Claude Code
Code editor and terminal agent that works across your favorite tools
Best for you if:
- • Developers who want Anthropic's agent in the terminal on the same Pro or Max seat as Claude chat. Current models: Fable 5 and Opus 5
Codex CLI
OpenAI official terminal coding agent
Best for you if:
- • You want official OpenAI product
| At a Glance | Claude Code | Codex CLI |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free plan, paid from $20/mo, billed monthly Pro plan | Free plan |
Category | AI Coding Terminal Tools | AI Coding Terminal Tools |
Rating | 4.7/5 G2 4.7 115 reviews | n/a |
Free plan | Yes | No |
Watch out for | Console / Fast mode is a second bill if you leave the subscription path. | n/a |
Choose Claude Code or Codex CLI?
Choose Claude Code if
- Developers who want Anthropic's agent in the terminal on the same Pro or Max seat as Claude chat. Current models: Fable 5 and Opus 5
- You want a free tier before you commit
- You want lives in the terminal and in the editor, so it can edit files, run tests, and handle git without a separate chat window
- You want included on every paid Claude plan, not a second coding seat
Choose Codex CLI if
- You want official OpenAI product
- You want fast Rust implementation
In-Depth Analysis
Claude Code
Code editor and terminal agent that works across your favorite tools
Claude Code is not a second seat.
Watch out
Console / Fast mode is a second bill if you leave the subscription path.
Strengths
- Pro: Lives in the terminal and in the editor, so it can edit files, run tests, and handle git without a separate chat window
- Pro: Included on every paid Claude plan, not a second coding seat
- Pro: MCP, CLAUDE.md, skills, hooks, sub-agents, and scheduled routines are first-party
- Pro: Opus Fast mode is documented at significantly faster speed for heavier sessions
Weaknesses
- Con: Desktop app needs a paid Claude subscription
- Con: Usage is shared with Claude chat, so a long coding session burns the same pool
- Con: Console / API billing is a second meter if you leave the subscription path
- Con: Fast mode costs more per token than default Opus
Key features
Codex CLI
OpenAI official terminal coding agent
The pricing for Codex CLI is exceptionally fair and generous, as it is entirely free under an open-source license.
Strengths
- Pro: Official OpenAI product
- Pro: Fast Rust implementation
- Pro: Multi-modal input support
- Pro: Integrated code review
- Pro: Included with ChatGPT Plus
Weaknesses
- Con: Requires ChatGPT subscription
- Con: No free tier
- Con: OpenAI ecosystem lock-in
- Con: Newer than competitors
- Con: Less community content
Key features
Plans and prices: Claude Code vs Codex CLI
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Claude Code |
| code.claude.com/pricingread Oct 5, 2026 |
| Codex CLI |
| openai.com/chatgpt/pricingread Sep 30, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Claude Code pricing and Codex CLI pricing.
Key Takeaways
Claude Code
- Choose if you want code editor and terminal agent that works across your favorite tools
Codex CLI
- Choose if you want OpenAI official terminal coding agent
What the data shows
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
- Only Claude Code has a published user rating (4.7/5 from 115 reviews); Codex CLI has none we can show.
- Claude Code starts at $20/mo, billed monthly; Codex CLI has no public paid plan price on file.
- Both have a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
What Users Say
Claude Code Reviews
the best ai
the best option and the best ai that i have use
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Claude Code and Codex CLI compare in 2026?
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair. Only Claude Code has a published user rating (4.7/5 from 115 reviews); Codex CLI has none we can show. Claude Code starts at $20/mo, billed monthly; Codex CLI has no public paid plan price on file. Both have a free plan.
What are Claude Code and Codex CLI used for?
Claude Code: Code editor and terminal agent that works across your favorite tools. Codex CLI: OpenAI official terminal coding agent.
What does Claude Code cost vs Codex CLI?
Claude Code's cheapest paid plan is Pro at $20/mo, billed monthly; it also has a free plan. Codex CLI has no public paid-plan price on file. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 5, 2026.
What's the main difference between Claude Code and Codex CLI?
Claude Code's main strength: lives in the terminal and in the editor, so it can edit files, run tests, and handle git without a separate chat window. Codex CLI's main strength: official OpenAI product.