Codex CLI vs OpenCode
Compare Codex CLI and OpenCode 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.
OpenCode
Choose OpenCode when you want an open, terminal-native coding agent with broad provider choice, local model support, and GitHub workflow automation. Choose a hosted AI IDE or commercial coding assistant instead if you want a more polished out-of-the-box editor experience, bundled billing, or heavy team administration.
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.
OpenCode is an open-source, provider-agnostic AI coding agent for developers who want Claude Code-style terminal workflows without being locked to a single model provider.
Pricing
freemium
open-source
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Codex CLI | OpenCode |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | OpenCode is an open-source, provider-agnostic AI coding agent for developers who want Claude Code-style terminal workflows without being locked to a single model provider. |
| Type | cli-agent | cli-agent |
| Editor base | CLI | CLI |
| Pricing model | freemium | open-source |
| Starting price | $8 | $0 |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Yes | Yes |
| Local models | Yes | Yes |
| 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, WSL, Terminal, Desktop app, VS Code, Cursor, Windsurf, VSCodium, ACP-compatible editors, GitHub Actions |
| 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 | Claude, GPT, Gemini, GitHub Copilot, ChatGPT Plus, ChatGPT Pro, GLM-5.1, GLM-5, Kimi K2.7 Code, Kimi K2.6, MiMo-V2.5, MiMo-V2.5-Pro, MiniMax M3, MiniMax M2.7, Qwen3.7 Max, Qwen3.7 Plus, Qwen3.6 Plus, DeepSeek V4 Pro, DeepSeek V4 Flash, Local models |
| 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 | Centralized organization config, SSO integration, Internal AI gateway routing, Ability to disable other AI providers, Per-seat enterprise pricing, No token charge from OpenCode when using an internal LLM gateway, Share feature can be disabled, Private npm registry support through .npmrc, Implementation support, Roadmap support for self-hosted share pages |
| 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 | Terminal-first developers, Open-source AI coding workflows, Claude Code alternatives, BYOK model routing, Local model experiments, Developers who want to switch between multiple LLM providers, GitHub issue and pull request automation, Teams that want internal AI gateway control, Developers using VS Code, Cursor, Windsurf, or VSCodium with terminal-based agents, Cost-sensitive users who want optional open-model subscriptions |
| 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 | Users who want a fully managed proprietary AI IDE with minimal setup, Non-developers building apps from prompts, Developers whose main need is inline autocomplete, Teams that require polished enterprise admin dashboards out of the box, Users who do not want to manage provider credentials, model selection, or usage limits, Highly sensitive projects using public share links or unapproved external providers |
Use Case Winners
Both Codex CLI and OpenCode have comparable signals here.
Both Codex CLI and OpenCode have comparable signals here.
Codex CLI lists more team or enterprise controls.
Codex CLI has stronger frontend or web workflow signals.
OpenCode supports more model/provider options or BYOK-style workflows.
Both Codex CLI and OpenCode 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.
OpenCode
- Open Source$0
MIT-licensed open-source coding agent. Users can install and run OpenCode locally with their own model credentials.
- Bring Your Own ModelUsage-based
Use external LLM providers through API keys, GitHub Copilot login, ChatGPT Plus/Pro login, local models, or OpenAI-compatible endpoints.
- OpenCode ZenPay-as-you-go
Optional curated model gateway with per-token pricing and usage limits for teams or individuals.
- OpenCode Go$5 first month, then $10 / month
Optional subscription for reliable access to selected open coding models, designed especially for international users.
- EnterpriseCustom
Per-seat enterprise plan with centralized config, SSO integration, internal AI gateway routing, and implementation support.
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.
OpenCode
OpenCode states that it does not store code or context data by default, with processing happening locally or through direct API calls to the selected AI provider. The main exception is the optional /share feature, which uploads conversation data to OpenCode-hosted share pages and creates public links. Privacy depends on provider choice, local model usage, enterprise gateway routing, share settings, and whether sensitive files, secrets, or production data are included in context.
Choose Codex CLI if...
- Terminal-first developers
- Local repository editing
- Multi-file bug fixes
- Refactoring
- Test generation
Choose OpenCode if...
- Terminal-first developers
- Open-source AI coding workflows
- Claude Code alternatives
- BYOK model routing
- Local model experiments
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 OpenCode if...
- Users who want a fully managed proprietary AI IDE with minimal setup
- Non-developers building apps from prompts
- Developers whose main need is inline autocomplete
- Teams that require polished enterprise admin dashboards out of the box
- Users who do not want to manage provider credentials, model selection, or usage limits