Codex CLI vs Gemini CLI
Compare Codex CLI and Gemini CLI by workflow, pricing, privacy, model support, and best use cases.
Codex CLI
Choose Codex CLI when you want OpenAI’s coding agent inside a terminal workflow with local repository access, sandboxing, approvals, MCP, skills, and scriptable automation. Choose an AI IDE or prompt-to-app builder if you need a visual development environment or a less technical product-building flow.
Gemini CLI
Gemini CLI is worth documenting as an important open-source Google terminal agent, but new individual users should strongly consider Antigravity CLI because Google has made it the forward migration path. Existing users should preserve working configs, review quotas, and plan migration before consumer Gemini CLI service changes take effect.
Key Differences
Workflow
Codex CLI is OpenAI’s terminal-first coding agent for developers who want local repository editing, configurable safety controls, and access to Codex models from the command line.
Gemini CLI is Google’s open-source terminal coding agent for Gemini-powered development workflows, now positioned as a legacy tool transitioning toward Antigravity CLI for future agent-first development.
compare.fields.localModels
Yes
No
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Codex CLI | Gemini CLI |
|---|---|---|
| Primary workflow | Codex CLI is OpenAI’s terminal-first coding agent for developers who want local repository editing, configurable safety controls, and access to Codex models from the command line. | Gemini CLI is Google’s open-source terminal coding agent for Gemini-powered development workflows, now positioned as a legacy tool transitioning toward Antigravity CLI for future agent-first development. |
| Type | cli-agent | cli-agent |
| Editor base | CLI | CLI |
| Pricing model | freemium | freemium |
| Starting price | $8 | $0 |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Yes | Yes |
| Local models | Yes | No |
| BYOK | Yes | Yes |
| Platforms | macOS, Linux, Windows, Terminal, Local project directories, VS Code-compatible IDE workflows via Codex IDE extension, Codex app, Codex SDK, GitHub Actions | macOS, Linux, Windows, Terminal, Node.js/npm, GitHub Actions, Google AI Studio, Vertex AI, Google Cloud, Zed via agent integrations where supported |
| Models | gpt-5.5, gpt-5.4, gpt-5.4 mini, gpt-5.3-codex-spark, OpenAI API, Azure OpenAI, Amazon Bedrock, Ollama, LM Studio | Gemini 2.5 Pro, Gemini models via Gemini API, Gemini models via Vertex AI |
| Enterprise features | Business workspace controls, SAML SSO, MFA, Codex seats, Workspace credits, SCIM, EKM, Role-based access control, User analytics, Domain verification, Audit logs, Compliance API usage monitoring, Data retention controls, Data residency controls, Managed configuration, Amazon Bedrock deployment option, FedRAMP-compatible local Codex configuration where supported | Vertex AI authentication, Google Cloud project-based usage, Gemini Code Assist enterprise workflows, Quota management through Google Cloud and Code Assist plans, GitHub Actions automation, MCP server integration, Enterprise migration path to Antigravity CLI and Google Antigravity |
| Best for | Terminal-first developers, Local repository editing, Multi-file bug fixes, Refactoring, Test generation, Codebase exploration, OpenAI model users, Developers who want configurable approvals and sandboxing, Teams already using ChatGPT or OpenAI API, Automation through Codex SDK or GitHub Actions | Existing Gemini CLI users, Terminal-first Gemini workflows, Developers using Google AI Studio or Vertex AI, Codebase exploration, Bug fixing, Test generation and test coverage improvements, GitHub issue triage, Pull request review automation, MCP-connected development tasks, Teams planning migration to Antigravity CLI |
| Not best for | Non-technical users who want a visual app builder, Developers whose main need is inline autocomplete, Teams that require a fully provider-neutral hosted product, Users who do not want to manage terminal setup or configuration, Projects where AI agents are not allowed to run shell commands, Workflows that require cloud Codex features while using only API-key authentication | New individual users who want Google’s forward-looking coding agent platform, Users who need local model execution, Developers who want provider-agnostic model routing, Non-technical users looking for prompt-to-app builders, Teams that cannot allow AI agents to read files or run commands, Users who want a full AI-native editor rather than a terminal agent |
Use Case Winners
Both Codex CLI and Gemini CLI have comparable signals here.
Codex CLI supports local model workflows.
Codex CLI lists more team or enterprise controls.
Codex CLI has stronger frontend or web workflow signals.
Codex CLI supports more model/provider options or BYOK-style workflows.
Both Codex CLI and Gemini CLI have comparable signals here.
Pricing Comparison
Codex CLI
- Free$0 / month
Included Codex access for quick coding tasks with limited usage.
- Go$8 / month
Lightweight Codex usage for smaller coding tasks.
- Plus$20 / month
Includes Codex on web, CLI, IDE extension, and iOS, plus latest Codex models and credit extension.
- ProFrom $100 / month
Higher Codex usage limits than Plus, including Pro-only access to GPT-5.3-Codex-Spark research preview.
- API KeyUsage-based
Use Codex in CLI, SDK, or IDE extension with API token billing; cloud features are not included.
Gemini CLI
- Individual Free$0 / month
Free individual Gemini CLI access through Gemini Code Assist for individuals, with Google account authentication and quota limits. Consumer support transitions to Antigravity CLI on June 18, 2026.
- Google AI Pro$19.99 / month
Google AI plan with higher Gemini CLI and AI-tool usage limits while Gemini CLI remains available for the plan.
- Google AI UltraPlan-dependent / month
Higher-usage Google AI tier with expanded access to Google AI features and higher developer-tool quotas where supported.
- Gemini API KeyUsage-based
Use Gemini CLI with a Google AI Studio API key and pay Gemini API token-based pricing.
- Vertex AI / EnterpriseUsage-based
Use Gemini CLI with Vertex AI or enterprise Google Cloud authentication for professional and organizational workflows.
Privacy & Security
Codex CLI
Codex CLI runs locally and can read project files, edit code, run commands, and persist local session history under CODEX_HOME unless configured otherwise. Data sent to models depends on authentication method, selected provider, ChatGPT workspace settings, API organization settings, MCP servers, and whether local OSS mode is used. Users should avoid exposing secrets in prompts, source files, command output, or connected tools, and should configure approvals, sandboxing, ignored paths, and history persistence for sensitive repositories.
Gemini CLI
Gemini CLI can send prompts, local project context, file contents, command output, MCP tool results, and repository metadata to Google or the selected Google Cloud model endpoint depending on authentication method. Users should avoid exposing secrets, credentials, customer data, production tokens, or private files in prompts, terminal output, MCP tools, or files included in context. Extra caution is needed when running Gemini CLI against untrusted repositories because terminal agents can be affected by malicious instructions embedded in project files.
Choose Codex CLI if...
- Terminal-first developers
- Local repository editing
- Multi-file bug fixes
- Refactoring
- Test generation
Choose Gemini CLI if...
- Existing Gemini CLI users
- Terminal-first Gemini workflows
- Developers using Google AI Studio or Vertex AI
- Codebase exploration
- Bug fixing
Avoid Codex CLI if...
- Non-technical users who want a visual app builder
- Developers whose main need is inline autocomplete
- Teams that require a fully provider-neutral hosted product
- Users who do not want to manage terminal setup or configuration
- Projects where AI agents are not allowed to run shell commands
Avoid Gemini CLI if...
- New individual users who want Google’s forward-looking coding agent platform
- Users who need local model execution
- Developers who want provider-agnostic model routing
- Non-technical users looking for prompt-to-app builders
- Teams that cannot allow AI agents to read files or run commands