C
CGitHub Copilot vs OpenAI Codex
Pricing, features, platforms and who each one suits — side by side.
G
Choose GitHub Copilot if…
- you work on macOS, VS Code, JetBrains
- you're in its core audience: software developers, students and open source maintainers
O
Choose OpenAI Codex if…
- you want the lower entry price ($8/mo vs $10/mo)
- you need an API to build on
- you work on Slack
- you're in its core audience: software developers, engineering teams
Side by side
Feature GitHub Copilot OpenAI Codex
Pricing modelFreemiumFreemium
Starting price$10/mo$8/mo
Free plan
Free trial
API
Open source
Security and compliance—SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001, GDPR, HIPAA
Updates, last 90 days—5
Agent mode
Tab completion—
CLI / terminal
Cloud agents
AI PR review
MCP support—
PlatformsWeb, macOS, VS Code, JetBrains, iOS, AndroidWeb, iOS, API, Slack
CategoryCode AssistantsCode Assistants
CompanyGitHub, Inc.OpenAI OpCo, LLC
Based inUnited StatesUnited States
Founded——
Part of——
Key features
G GitHub Copilot
- Inline code completion and next edit suggestions
- Chat assistance in the IDE and on GitHub.com
- Agent mode for proposing and validating edits
- Cloud agents that work on issues in the background
- Third-party agents including Claude Code and Codex
- Choice of multiple LLMs
- AI code review on pull requests
- MCP server allow lists and audit logs
O OpenAI Codex
- Desktop app for local coding chats
- Command-line interface (CLI)
- IDE extension
- Cloud tasks through Codex on the web
- Automatic GitHub code review
- Slack integration
- SDK for scriptable workflows
- Works with an API key and pay-per-use billing
Plans and prices
From each vendor's site. Prices change — confirm before buying.
GitHub Copilot
Free$0
Pro$10
Pro+$39
Max$100
Business$19
Enterprise$39
OpenAI Codex
Free$0/month
Go$8/month
Plus$20/month
ProFrom $100/month
Business$20/user/month billed annually; $25 billed monthly
Enterprise & EduContact sales
API KeyPay per usage
Strengths and limitations
GitHub Copilot
- Free plan with 2,000 completions a month, no credit card required
- Works in many editors plus the CLI, a desktop app and GitHub
- Supports third-party agents such as Claude Code and Codex
- Business plans include IP indemnity and governance controls
- Chat is only available in VS Code, JetBrains and Visual Studio, per the FAQ
- Free, Pro and Pro+ interactions may be used for model training unless you opt out
- Premium models such as Opus require the $39 Pro+ plan or higher
OpenAI Codex
- Free plan includes basic Codex use in the desktop app
- Available in the desktop app, CLI, IDE, web, iOS and SDK
- Enterprise controls such as SCIM, RBAC, EKM and data residency
- API key option for pay-per-use billing
- Free and Go plans have no published usage numbers
- Plus usage limits are given only as estimated ranges
- API key use doesn't include cloud features such as code review or Slack
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Built from each vendor's public website; we haven't tested them hands-on. Editorial policy