Codex is a coding agent across ChatGPT, editor, and terminal. Cursor is its own VS Code-based editor built around AI work, with agents in the everyday editing flow.
When to pick which
Codex fits when a task should run away from the currently open editor, continue in a cloud environment, or be parallelized. Cursor fits when the editor itself should be the daily work center and switching to a VS Code-based product is acceptable. For both, assess published limits and the desired execution location, not just the model name.
Differences at a glance
Free access: OpenAI Codex as Free plan; Cursor as Free plan.
Paid entry in the catalog: OpenAI Codex Business; Cursor Plus. 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)
Cursor: AI agent in the code editor for reading, writing, and refactoring
Cursor: Chat and inline edits with frontier models (including Claude, GPT)
OpenAI Codex vs Cursor
Criterion
OpenAI Codex
Cursor
Free access
Free plan
Free plan
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
Plus · 8 USDMonth
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.
Work across codebases in a VS Code-based editor with an agent, chat, and autocomplete.
New customers buy The X Subscription instead of the earlier standalone plans. Plus at 8 USD includes Grok models only. Premium at 30 USD, Super at 100 USD, and Ultra at 200 USD share the same weekly pool.
Where are the vendors of OpenAI Codex and Cursor based?
OpenAI Codex: OpenAI, USA. Cursor: Anysphere, Inc., USA.
Are OpenAI Codex and Cursor listed in the same category?
OpenAI Codex is listed under the “Development & Code” category, Cursor under “Development & Code.”
How many pricing tiers do OpenAI Codex and Cursor offer?
OpenAI Codex documents 7 plans, Cursor documents 9 plans, each with price, billing period, and included features.
Where do the price and product details for OpenAI Codex and Cursor come from?
For OpenAI Codex and Cursor, 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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