OpenAI Codex vs OpenCode
A side-by-side look at pricing plans, free tiers, features, pros and cons, updated for 2026. OpenAI Codex has the lower starting price: about $8 a month, against $10 for OpenCode.
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
- 75+ model providers
- Custom agents
- Desktop client
| Feature | OpenAI Codex | OpenCode |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | OpenAI's coding agent in the cloud, CLI, IDE and desktop app | Open-source, model-agnostic coding agent for the terminal |
| Category | Coding | Coding |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Starting price | $8/mo | $10/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Made by | OpenAI | Anomaly Innovations |
| Based in | United States | United States |
| Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Key features |
|
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Pricing compared
OpenAI Codex has the lower starting price: about $8 a month, against $10 for OpenCode.
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
3 plans
Open source
Free
- Free coding agent
- Bring your own model keys
Go
$10/mo
- Subscription access to coding models
Zen
Pay-as-you-go
- Curated models billed per token
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
OpenCode
- Free and open source
- Uses plans you already pay for
- Fast, well-designed TUI
- You choose and tune models yourself
- Some providers limit third-party access
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 OpenCode if you want:
- Free and open source
- Uses plans you already pay for
- Fast, well-designed TUI
Watch out: you choose and tune models yourself.
OpenAI Codex vs OpenCode FAQ
What is the difference between OpenAI Codex and OpenCode?
OpenAI Codex: OpenAI's coding agent in the cloud, CLI, IDE and desktop app. OpenCode: Open-source, model-agnostic coding agent for the terminal. Both are coding tools.
Is OpenAI Codex or OpenCode cheaper?
OpenAI Codex has the lower starting price: about $8 a month, against $10 for OpenCode.
Do OpenAI Codex and OpenCode have free plans?
OpenAI Codex: Yes. OpenCode: Yes.
Who makes OpenAI Codex?
OpenAI Codex is made by OpenAI, based in United States.
Who makes OpenCode?
OpenCode is made by Anomaly Innovations, based in United States.
Which should I choose, OpenAI Codex or OpenCode?
Choose OpenAI Codex if you value included in chatgpt plans and runs many tasks in parallel. Choose OpenCode if you value free and open source and uses plans you already pay for.