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Codex CLI vs OpenCode
Both are open-source coding agents you can read and run yourself. Codex CLI is OpenAI's, built around ChatGPT plans and OpenAI models. OpenCode works with almost any model, and it can use your ChatGPT Plus/Pro login too.
Side by Side
| OpenAI Codex CLI | OpenCode | |
|---|---|---|
| What It Is | OpenAI's open-source (Apache-2.0) coding agent that runs locally in your terminal: it reads your repo, edits files and runs commands, with codex exec for scripts and CI. Sign in with ChatGPT or use an API key. | Open-source AI coding agent for terminal, desktop and web, with multi-session agents and 75+ model providers. |
| Category | AI Editors & Agents | AI Editors & Agents |
| Where It Runs | Terminal on macOS, Linux and Windows. The same plan covers the Codex IDE extension, desktop app and Codex cloud. | Terminal, desktop app, IDE extension and web. |
| Models | Sign in with ChatGPT, or use an API key, where model access follows your key. | 75+ providers through Models.dev, local models, free built-in models, or your GitHub Copilot or ChatGPT Plus/Pro login. |
| License | Open source under Apache-2.0. | Open source under MIT. |
| Free Option | The CLI is free to install. Using it starts with ChatGPT Plus, or an API key billed at API rates. | The agent is free and open source, with a set of free models. Other providers may cost extra. |
| Tags | ||
| Pricing | Included with ChatGPT Plus at $20/mo: CLI, IDE extension, web and iOS. Pro is $100, $200 or $500 a month. Business is $25 per user a month billed monthly. Or bring an API key and pay API rates. | Free. Zen is optional pay as you go at the provider's price, plus $1.23 per $20 top-up. Go is $10/mo and Go Plus $40/mo for a curated set of low-cost coding models. |
| Website | developers.openai.com | opencode.ai |
| On Digidle |
Pricing and plan details checked October 29, 2026 on each vendor's official pages: Codex pricing, Codex CLI, openai/codex on GitHub, OpenCode, OpenCode Zen, OpenCode Go. Plans change, so confirm before you buy.
Which One to Pick
Pick Codex CLI If
You want OpenAI's models with Codex cloud and the IDE extension on the same ChatGPT plan, plus codex exec for CI.
More on Codex CLIPick OpenCode If
You want to pick the model and the bill, run local or free models, or use one agent across several providers.
More on OpenCodeBuilt a tool in AI Editors & Agents? Get it featured at the top of its category for 30 days.
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