Coding agents
Claude Code vs Codex
Claude Code (Anthropic) and Codex (OpenAI) are two tools in the “Coding agents” category of the OrigoTech directory. This page puts the information from their tool pages side by side: 10 criteria are filled in for both tools. No editorial opinion: every value comes from the tool page, which cites its sources.
Tool page data · Verified
Comparison table
| Criterion | Claude Code | Codex |
|---|---|---|
| Vendor | Anthropic | OpenAI |
| Pricing | Paid | Freemium |
| Pricing details | Included in paid Claude plans (Pro from $17/month billed annually, $20 monthly); not in the free plan (source: anthropic.com/pricing). Available in the terminal, VS Code and JetBrains, the desktop app, the web and iOS/Android (source: anthropic.com/claude-code). | Included in ChatGPT Free ($0), Go ($8), Plus ($20) and Pro (from $100/month), or billed per use with an API key (source: developers.openai.com/codex/pricing). |
| Plans and pricing |
|
|
| License | Proprietary (© Anthropic PBC, Commercial Terms; github.com/anthropics/claude-code/LICENSE.md) | Codex CLI under Apache-2.0 (github.com/openai/codex); cloud service and ChatGPT app proprietary |
| Open source | No | — |
| Platforms | CLI, IDE, Desktop, Web, Mobile | CLI, IDE, Web, Desktop, Mobile |
| Operating systems | macOS, Windows, Linux | macOS, Windows, Linux |
| MCP support | Yes | Yes |
| Context window | Up to 1M tokens depending on the model (source: code.claude.com/docs/en/model-config) | 1,050,000 tokens with GPT-6.1 Sol (recommended model); depends on the selected model |
| GitHub repository | anthropics/claude-code · ★ 152,673 · Verified | openai/codex · ★ 130,181 · Verified |
| Updated on |
“—”: information not filled in on the tool page.
What they have in common
- Both support MCP.
- Shared platforms: CLI, IDE, Desktop, Web, Mobile.
- Shared operating systems: macOS, Windows, Linux.
Differences
- Claude Code is published by Anthropic, Codex by OpenAI.
- Pricing model: paid for Claude Code, freemium for Codex.
- License: Proprietary for Claude Code, Codex CLI under Apache-2.0 for Codex.
- GitHub repository: 152,673 stars for Claude Code, 130,181 for Codex (as of October 20, 2026).
- Plans listed on the tool pages: 5 for Claude Code, 6 for Codex.
See also the editorial comparison: Claude Code, Codex or GitHub Copilot: which one?.
Sources
- Gartner: 2026 Magic Quadrant (Virtualization Review)
- Stack Overflow: 2026 survey, AI data
- Anthropic: Claude pricing
- Claude Code: model configuration (context)
- OpenAI: 4 million weekly users (April 2026)
- OpenAI: Leader in the 2026 Gartner Magic Quadrant
- OpenAI: Codex pricing
- Codex CLI on GitHub (Apache-2.0 licence)
Tool pages and related pages
Related articles
- Gartner's first Magic Quadrant for coding agents
- Week of October 12: coding agents go team-mode
- Open-source coding agents on GitHub: OpenCode, Cline, OpenHands, Aider
- Choosing a coding agent by budget: free, $20 a month or enterprise
- Stack Overflow 2026: agents in, production off-limits
- How to install and get started with Claude Code: a step-by-step guide