OpenAI Codex vs OpenCode (2026): Pricing, Features & Which to Choose

Who comes out ahead

Based only on the facts in our directory. The right pick still depends on the job you need done.

Lower starting price
Not comparable
Not comparable: OpenCode does not list a price
Free plan
OpenCode
Only OpenCode has one
Higher rating
OpenAI Codex
4.4 against 4.3
Same job?
Yes
Both are Coding tools

Side by side

Compared on	OpenAI Codex	OpenCode
Our rating	4.4Better	4.3
Starts at	$20/mo	Free
Free plan	No	YesBetter
Category	Coding	Coding
Plans	From $20/mo	Free
Key features	Cloud-based autonomous coding agent with sandboxed execution Codex CLI for local, terminal-based agent use Runs tests and returns a pull request for completed tasks IDE, terminal, and desktop app availability Distinct 2025 relaunch under a name last used for a different 2021 product	Open source across terminal, IDE, and desktop app 160,000+ GitHub stars and 7.5 million+ monthly developers Can use existing GitHub Copilot or ChatGPT Plus/Pro subscriptions Support for 75+ LLM providers via Models.dev Stated policy of not storing code or context data
Pros	Genuinely autonomous, sandbox-based task execution Backed by OpenAI's continued model development and rapid feature updates Available across cloud, CLI, IDE, and desktop surfaces	Very large, active community and contributor base Can reuse existing AI subscriptions instead of requiring new API billing Wide model provider flexibility
Cons	No free tier, requires a paid ChatGPT subscription or API access Name reuse from the original 2021 Codex can cause confusion when researching it Sandboxed cloud execution has less direct visibility than a live local session	Scale and rapid growth mean documentation and stability can lag new feature releases Choosing among 75+ providers adds a decision step for new users Multiple interface options can feel less focused than a single dedicated surface
Company	OpenAI, founded 2021	Anomaly, founded 2025

Prices come from each vendor's pricing page, last checked 20260703. Check the vendor before you buy.

FAQ

Questions people ask

Is OpenAI Codex better than OpenCode?

In our reviews OpenAI Codex scores 4.4 and OpenCode scores 4.3. The better pick depends on the job. OpenAI Codex: A 2025 relaunch of a 2021 name, now a fully autonomous agent. OpenCode: One of the most-starred open-source coding agents, works with existing subscriptions.

Which is cheaper, OpenAI Codex or OpenCode?

OpenAI Codex: from $20/mo. OpenCode: free.

Do OpenAI Codex and OpenCode have free plans?

Only OpenCode has a free plan.

More comparisons

OpenAI Codex compared with

All OpenAI Codex alternatives

OpenCode compared with

All OpenCode alternatives