AI coding & IDEs · A-tier

Codex

OpenAI’s coding agent across ChatGPT, the desktop app, IDE, terminal, and cloud tasks.

Best for

Builders who want one OpenAI agent in chat, the terminal, and the cloud.

What it is

Codex is OpenAI’s coding agent, available from a ChatGPT account across a desktop app, IDE, terminal, and cloud tasks. This is the agent product launched in 2025, not the 2021 Codex completion model. It can inspect a repo, edit files, and run commands.

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Score breakdown

Capability 40%90
Ease 25%84
Value 20%76
Momentum 15%94

Pricing

Freemium

Starting price: check site

Access is tied to a ChatGPT account. Which plans include Codex changes. Check OpenAI before you depend on a free tier.

Dates

Released 2025 (year precision).

Added to StackPick 14 Oct 2026.

Alternatives

A-tier · 88

Claude Code

People who already like Claude and want an agent in the terminal or IDE.

S-tier · 92

Cursor

Builders who want a VS Code-like editor with a repo-wide agent.

A-tier · 82

Devin

Teams that want to delegate a task and review the pull request later.

Comparisons

vs Claude Code

Questions

What is Codex best for?

Builders who want one OpenAI agent in chat, the terminal, and the cloud.

How much does Codex cost?

Freemium. Starting price: check site. Access is tied to a ChatGPT account. Which plans include Codex changes. Check OpenAI before you depend on a free tier.

What are alternatives to Codex?

Claude Code, Cursor, Devin are the alternatives we file next to it. Open a comparison when one exists.