Codex connects ChatGPT, editor, and terminal with cloud environments and worktrees; Claude Code works from terminal, IDE, web, and Slack. Both are agentic tools for real codebases, not just autocomplete.
When to pick which
Choose Codex when tasks should run in parallel in worktrees or cloud environments and be directed from ChatGPT, an editor, or a terminal. Choose Claude Code when the established terminal and IDE workflow is central, or work should also start from web and Slack. Pricing and usage limits are not directly comparable: Codex has its own pricing path and API use, while Claude Code follows Claude or Console/API access.
Differences at a glance
Free access: OpenAI Codex as Free plan; Claude Code as No free plan published.
Paid entry in the catalog: OpenAI Codex Business; Claude Code Claude Pro. Amounts are in the table and follow the price region.
OpenAI Codex: Agentic coding via CLI, IDE extension, web/cloud, and iOS
OpenAI Codex: GPT-6 Astra for demanding coding and repository tasks (rollout in progress)
Claude Code: Terminal tool for software work
Claude Code: VS Code, JetBrains, and compatible editors
OpenAI Codex vs Claude Code
Criterion
OpenAI Codex
Claude Code
Free access
Free plan
No free plan published
Paid from
Business · 20 $ per user per month billed annually (25 $ per user per month billed monthly; from 2 users)per user per month, billed annually or monthly
Claude Pro · $17 / $20Month
Published plans by vendor
Each vendor separately. The same row does not mean the same plan. Prices follow the selected price region.
OpenAI Codex
Free · freeMonth
Go · 8 $Month
Plus · 20 $Month
Pro 100 · 100 $Month
Pro 200 · 200 $Month
Pro 500 · 500 $Month
Business · 20 $ per user per month billed annually (25 $ per user per month billed monthly; from 2 users)per user per month, billed annually or monthly
OpenAI Codex is OpenAI’s agentic coding tool (CLI, IDE, cloud, iOS). With GPT-6 Astra, OpenAI targets more demanding coding and multi-step workflows; access is rolling out on a limited basis first.
Usage is tied to a ChatGPT plan or the API, not a separate Codex subscription. Plan limits are in the pricing table.
Claude Code is an Anthropic tool for agentic software work in the terminal and supported development environments. It is included in Claude Pro and Max, not sold as a standalone Code tariff.
Pro is $17 annual or $20 monthly; Max starts at $100 with 5x or 20x Pro usage. Console/API is billed by usage, and Code shares limits with chat.
Can OpenAI Codex and Claude Code be tried for free?
OpenAI Codex: Free plan. Claude Code: No free plan published.
Where are the vendors of OpenAI Codex and Claude Code based?
OpenAI Codex: OpenAI, USA. Claude Code: Anthropic, USA.
Are OpenAI Codex and Claude Code listed in the same category?
OpenAI Codex is listed under the “Development & Code” category, Claude Code under “Development & Code.”
How many pricing tiers do OpenAI Codex and Claude Code offer?
OpenAI Codex documents 7 plans, Claude Code documents 4 plans, each with price, billing period, and included features.
Where do the price and product details for OpenAI Codex and Claude Code come from?
For OpenAI Codex and Claude Code, prices, limits, and product details are each based on the current official vendor page. Missing values stay marked as not published rather than being estimated.
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