OpenAI Codex

OpenAI's coding agent for the desktop, CLI, IDE, web and iOS, included in ChatGPT plans

Free · from $8/mo openai.com

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Pricing

Free · from $8/mo

API

Yes

Company

OpenAI OpCo, LLCUnited States

Platforms

WebiOSAPISlack

What is OpenAI Codex?

OpenAI Codex is a coding agent that handles software tasks locally on your machine or in OpenAI's cloud. You can use it from a desktop app, a command-line tool, an IDE extension, the web, iOS, or an SDK for scripted workflows.

Access comes with ChatGPT plans. Free and Go users get lighter coding use in the desktop app. Plus and higher plans add Codex on the web, the CLI and the IDE extension, plus cloud integrations such as automatic code review and Slack. Usage limits depend on the model, the size of the task, and whether it runs locally or in the cloud. Developers can also run Codex with an API key, which is billed at standard API rates but doesn't include cloud features.

Codex suits individual developers as well as teams that need SAML SSO, SCIM, RBAC, audit logs and data residency controls on the Business and Enterprise tiers.

Key features

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

Use cases

Who it's for

Software developersEngineering teamsEnterprisesStudents and educators

Delegating coding tasks

Hand off a feature or bug fix to Codex in the cloud and let it work while you do something else.

Automated code review

On Plus and higher plans, Codex can review GitHub pull requests automatically.

Terminal and IDE help

Run Codex locally from the CLI or the IDE extension while you code.

Scripted pipelines

Use the SDK with an API key to build Codex into your own workflows.

OpenAI Codex pricing

From the vendor's site, checked Oct 26, 2026; we re-check prices monthly. Prices change — confirm on their pricing page.

Free

month

$0/month

Quick coding tasks in the desktop app
GPT-6 Luna at Standard speed, subject to rollout

month

$8/month

Lightweight coding tasks
GPT-6 Luna in the desktop app, subject to rollout

Plus

month

$20/month

Codex on web, CLI, IDE extension and iOS
Automatic code review and Slack integration
GPT-6.1 Sol and GPT-6 Luna

Pro

month

From $100/month

Tiers at $100, $200 or $500
Ultrafast mode on the $500 tier
No five-hour limit currently

Business

user/month

$20/user/month billed annually; $25 billed monthly

2+ users
Larger cloud VMs and credits
SAML SSO and MFA

Enterprise & Edu

custom

Contact sales

Priority processing, SCIM, EKM, RBAC
Compliance API audit logs
Retention and residency controls

API Key

usage

Pay per usage

CLI, SDK and IDE extension
No cloud features
Billed at API rates

Cost for a team, per month	1 person	5 people	20 people
Goflat, up to 1	$8	—	—
Plusflat, up to 1	$20	—	—
Proflat, up to 1	$100	—	—
Businessper seat	$40	$100	$400

Billed yearly where the plan offers it. — means the plan doesn't allow that many people.

Which plan do you need?

People

OpenAI CodexGo$8/mo
CursorPlus$8/mo
GitHub CopilotPro$10/mo
WindsurfPro$20/mo
DevinPro$20/mo

The cheapest paid plan with a published price that fits. Custom and sales-quoted plans aren't included.

How OpenAI Codex compares

At $8/mo, OpenAI Codex starts cheaper than 3 of 4 similar tools with published prices (median $10).
OpenAI Codex has a free plan, like all 4 alternatives below.
It offers an API, which only 1 of the others does.

Tool	Starts at	Free trial	API	Open source
OOpenAI Codex	$8/mo	—		—
GGitHub Copilot	$10/mo	—	—	—	OpenAI Codex vs GitHub Copilot
CCursor	$8/mo	—	—	—	OpenAI Codex vs Cursor
WWindsurf	$20/mo	—		—	OpenAI Codex vs Windsurf
DDevin	$20/mo	—	—	—	OpenAI Codex vs Devin

Compare 6 capabilities

Capability	OpenAI Codex	Cursor	Windsurf	Devin
Agent mode
Tab completion	—	—		—
CLI / terminal			—
Cloud agents				—
AI PR review				—
MCP support	—		—	—

Capabilities as stated on each vendor's own site; — means the site doesn't say. The closest alternatives in our directory by category. “Starts at” is the cheapest paid plan per month, as each vendor lists it.

OpenAI Codex data and privacy

Trains AI on your content

Not stated

Data retention

Not stated

Where data is stored

Not stated

Security and compliance

SOC 2 Type IIISO 27001GDPRHIPAA

From OpenAI Codex's own privacy and security pages , checked Oct 28, 2026. We only show what the vendor states in writing; “not stated” means the pages don't say.

OpenAI Codex release activity

Oct

Nov

3 changelog entries since Oct 2026, latest Oct 27, 2026. Changelog

Pros and cons

Strengths

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

Limitations

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

OpenAI Codex FAQ

Is there a free plan?

Yes. The Free plan covers quick coding tasks in the desktop app, subject to rollout.

How much does Codex cost?

Go is $8/month, Plus is $20/month, and Pro starts at $100/month. Business is $20 per user per month billed annually. Enterprise pricing is through sales.

Can I use Codex with an API key?

Yes. It works in the CLI, SDK and IDE extension at API rates, but cloud features aren't included.

Where can I use Codex?

In the desktop app, CLI, IDE extension, on the web, on iOS, and through the SDK.