kitio.aiOpenAI Codex vs Crush
A side-by-side look at pricing plans, free tiers, features, pros and cons, updated for 2026. Crush is completely free, while OpenAI Codex is freemium.
At a glance
Best for
Pricing model
Starting price
Free plan
Made by
Based in
Rating
Key features
- Cloud coding tasks
- Codex CLI
- IDE extension
- Desktop app
- Automatic PR review
- Terminal UI
- LSP-aware context
- MCP support
- Mid-session model switching
- Per-project sessions
| Feature | OpenAI Codex | Crush |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | OpenAI's coding agent in the cloud, CLI, IDE and desktop app | Charm's polished terminal coding agent with LSP context |
| Category | Coding | Coding |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Free |
| Starting price | $8/mo | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes, fully free |
| Made by | OpenAI | Charm |
| Based in | United States | United States |
| Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Key features |
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Pricing compared
Crush is completely free, while OpenAI Codex is freemium.
Free plan
Cheapest paid plan
Top plan
Free trial
6 plans
Free
Free
- Limited Codex usage
- Via ChatGPT account
Go
$8/mo
- ChatGPT Go plan
- More Codex usage than Free
Plus
$20/mo
- ChatGPT Plus plan
- Codex in CLI, IDE and cloud
Pro
$100/mo
- Starting price; $200 and $500 tiers
- Highest Codex limits
Business
$25/mo
- Per user
- Shared workspace and admin controls
Enterprise
Contact sales
- Enterprise security
- Flexible usage
Prices in USD, checked Oct 28, 2026 or later. Plans change often, so confirm on each tool's site before you buy.
Pros and cons
OpenAI Codex
- Included in ChatGPT plans
- Runs many tasks in parallel
- Open-source CLI
- Token-based limits are hard to predict
- Free tier usage is small
Crush
- Attractive, fast terminal UI
- Works with many providers
- Free to use
- You pay for your own API usage
- Source-available, not fully open source
Which one should you choose?
Choose OpenAI Codex if you want:
- Included in ChatGPT plans
- Runs many tasks in parallel
- Open-source CLI
Watch out: token-based limits are hard to predict.
Choose Crush if you want:
- Attractive, fast terminal UI
- Works with many providers
- Free to use
Watch out: you pay for your own api usage.
OpenAI Codex vs Crush FAQ
What is the difference between OpenAI Codex and Crush?
OpenAI Codex: OpenAI's coding agent in the cloud, CLI, IDE and desktop app. Crush: Charm's polished terminal coding agent with LSP context. Both are coding tools.
Is OpenAI Codex or Crush cheaper?
Crush is completely free, while OpenAI Codex is freemium.
Do OpenAI Codex and Crush have free plans?
OpenAI Codex: Yes. Crush: Yes, fully free.
Who makes OpenAI Codex?
OpenAI Codex is made by OpenAI, based in United States.
Who makes Crush?
Crush is made by Charm, based in United States.
Which should I choose, OpenAI Codex or Crush?
Choose OpenAI Codex if you value included in chatgpt plans and runs many tasks in parallel. Choose Crush if you value attractive, fast terminal ui and works with many providers.