<!-- Canonical: https://www.agentlist.io/compare/claude-code-vs-codex-cli -->

# [Claude CodeAnthropic · cli-agent](https://www.agentlist.io/systems/claude-code)vs[Codex CLIOpenAI · cli-agent](https://www.agentlist.io/systems/codex-cli)

The two terminal-native agents bundled with the frontier subscriptions — Claude Pro/Max vs ChatGPT Plus/Pro. Both plan, run commands, and commit against your local checkout.

agentlist.io · spec diff · verified 2026-09-25 — list prices only, not benchmarks

SEC.01

## Spec diff

Claude CodeCodex CLI

vendorAnthropicOpenAI

categorycli-agentcli-agent

interfacescli · editor · apicli · editor · api

hostinglocallocal · cloud

pricingIncluded in Claude Pro $20/mo and Max ($100/$200); API pay-per-tokenIncluded in ChatGPT Free/Go/Plus/Pro/Business/Enterprise; credits for extra usage

statusactively maintainedactively maintained

also known asCodex, OpenAI Codex

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## Pick which

pick Claude Code if

You already pay for Claude Pro/Max or want Claude's agent loop with MCP and skills support.

pick Codex CLI if

You already pay for ChatGPT Plus/Pro, want the open-source CLI, or live in the OpenAI ecosystem.

watch out

Both are metered by subscription tier and session limits rather than a flat tool price.

SEC.03

## Feature notes

-   Claude Code
-   01Repo-wide reasoning
-   02Shell tools
-   03MCP
-   04Hooks and skills
-   05IDE extensions
-   06Fast mode (preview)

-   Codex CLI
-   01OpenAI models
-   02Terminal agent loop
-   03Desktop app (\`codex app\`)
-   04Cloud task handoff
-   05Open-source CLI

FAQ

## Frequently asked

### Claude Code or Codex CLI — which should I pick?

The two terminal-native agents bundled with the frontier subscriptions — Claude Pro/Max vs ChatGPT Plus/Pro. Both plan, run commands, and commit against your local checkout. Pick Claude Code if: You already pay for Claude Pro/Max or want Claude's agent loop with MCP and skills support. Pick Codex CLI if: You already pay for ChatGPT Plus/Pro, want the open-source CLI, or live in the OpenAI ecosystem.

### Is Claude Code or Codex CLI cheaper?

Claude Code: Included in Claude Pro $20/mo and Max ($100/$200); API pay-per-token. Codex CLI: Included in ChatGPT Free/Go/Plus/Pro/Business/Enterprise; credits for extra usage. List prices as of 2026-09-25; usage pools and seat terms change the real cost.

### Does Claude Code or Codex CLI run locally?

Claude Code hosting: local. Codex CLI hosting: local, cloud. Interfaces differ too: Claude Code exposes cli/editor/api, Codex CLI exposes cli/editor/api.

### Are Claude Code and Codex CLI still maintained?

Claude Code: actively maintained. Codex CLI: actively maintained. Statuses are re-verified each catalog refresh (2026-09-25); see the changelog for the full history.

ALT

## More comparisons

-   [→Claude Code vs Cursor](https://www.agentlist.io/compare/claude-code-vs-cursor)
-   [→Aider vs Claude Code](https://www.agentlist.io/compare/aider-vs-claude-code)
-   [→Gemini CLI vs Claude Code](https://www.agentlist.io/compare/gemini-cli-vs-claude-code)
-   [→Warp vs Claude Code](https://www.agentlist.io/compare/warp-vs-claude-code)
-   [→Cursor vs Windsurf / Devin Desktop](https://www.agentlist.io/compare/cursor-vs-windsurf)
-   [→GitHub Copilot vs Cursor](https://www.agentlist.io/compare/copilot-vs-cursor)

A

## Claude Code

Claude Code is Anthropic's terminal-native coding agent: it plans, edits, runs commands, uses Git and MCP, and sustains long agentic loops.

[full spec sheet →](https://www.agentlist.io/systems/claude-code)

-   [↗ claude.com/product/claude-code](https://claude.com/product/claude-code)
-   [↗ claude.com/pricing](https://claude.com/pricing)

B

## Codex CLI

Codex is OpenAI's coding agent: an open-source terminal CLI, a desktop app, IDE extensions, and a cloud lane for async tasks, all included in ChatGPT plans.

[full spec sheet →](https://www.agentlist.io/systems/codex-cli)

-   [↗ chatgpt.com/codex/pricing/](https://chatgpt.com/codex/pricing/)
-   [↗ github.com/openai/codex](https://github.com/openai/codex)

SRC

## Data

Fields come from the seed catalog, re-verified 2026-09-25. This page compares recorded specs — it does not rank performance. See the [changelog](https://www.agentlist.io/changelog) or the [JSON feed](https://www.agentlist.io/api/v1/systems).

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Source: [Claude Code vs Codex CLI: spec comparison | agentlist.io](https://www.agentlist.io/compare/claude-code-vs-codex-cli). This is the public page rendered as Markdown; interactive controls require the website.