AI coding · Ranked 2 of 9 in Best AI coding assistants
What is OpenAI Codex?
Short answer
OpenAI Codex is a AI coding assistant from OpenAI, best for coding agent bundled with ChatGPT. It has a free plan (limited Codex access); paid plans start at $8 / mo.
| Fact | OpenAI Codex | AI coding median (6 tools) |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes, limited Codex access | 8 of 9 have one |
| Entry price | $8 / mo | $12.50 / mo |
| Top plan | $100 / mo | $150.00 / mo |
| 1st year | $96 | $150 |
| Paid plans | 3 | 2.5 |
| Platforms | Web, macOS, Windows, API | — |
What does OpenAI Codex do?
OpenAI Codex covers these jobs, as listed on OpenAI's pricing and feature pages.
- Codex coding agent
- Included in ChatGPT plans
- Expanded usage on Plus
- Longer sessions on Pro
- Advanced reasoning models
How much does OpenAI Codex cost?
Free, then $8 / mo to $100 / mo.
| Plan | Price | Billed monthly | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | Free | Limited Codex access |
| Go | $8 / mo | $8 / mo | Limited Codex access; may include ads |
| Plus | $20 / mo | $20 / mo | Expanded Codex usage included in Plus |
| Pro | $100 / mo | — | Longer Codex sessions; 3 usage tiers |
What are the best OpenAI Codex alternatives?
Closest on first-year cost: Cursor, Aider, Claude Code.
| Alternative | Free plan | From |
|---|---|---|
| Cursor | Yes | $8 / mo |
| Aider | Yes | Free |
| Claude Code | No | $17 / mo |
Is OpenAI Codex better than Cursor?
OpenAI Codex is best for coding agent bundled with ChatGPT; Cursor for AI-first code editor. First year: $96 vs $96.
Sources
| Vendor page | URL | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| OpenAI Codex pricing | chatgpt.com/pricing | 27 Oct 2026 |
Prices in USD as published by each vendor, billed yearly where offered. How we compare