Claude Code vs Codex vs Cursor
Last updated · Prices change often; confirm on each tool's site.
Pick Claude Code if you work in the terminal or your own editor and want Claude models in a flat plan (it comes with Claude Pro, $20/month). Pick OpenAI Codex if you already pay for ChatGPT Plus ($20/month) or want to try a coding agent for free, since ChatGPT Free and Go include limited Codex. Pick Cursor if you want a full AI code editor; its $8 Plus plan uses Grok models only, and Claude or GPT models cost extra at API prices on Premium ($30) and up.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Free tier | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Claude Code | None (needs a paid Claude plan or API credits) | Claude Pro $20/mo ($17 yearly) · Max from $100/mo | Terminal-first agent with Claude models included |
| OpenAI Codex | Limited on ChatGPT Free and Go (desktop app, rolling out) | ChatGPT Plus $20/mo · Pro $100, $200 or $500/mo | Agent in app, CLI, IDE and cloud, with PR reviews |
| Cursor | Limited agent and chat use | Plus $8/mo (Grok only) · Premium $30/mo · Super $100/mo | A full AI code editor built around agents |
Who should pick which
- Pick Claude Code if you like the terminal or your own editor and want Claude models included in a flat monthly price. Usage is shared with Claude chat and resets on a rolling five-hour window, with weekly limits on top.
- Pick OpenAI Codex if you already pay for ChatGPT, want to try an agent at no cost first, or want cloud tasks and automatic GitHub code reviews. OpenAI says Pro plans currently have no five-hour limit.
- Pick Cursor if you want the editor itself built around agents and you're happy with Grok models, or with paying API prices for Claude and GPT on Premium and above. Since October 2026 Cursor is sold as part of The X Subscription.
Good to know
- All three can read your codebase, edit files and run commands. Review every change before you merge it, and don't give an agent production credentials.
- Usage limits matter more than list price: Claude Code and Codex count usage in rolling windows, and Cursor's included pool refreshes weekly.
- Want free and open source? OpenCode is a terminal coding agent that works with many model providers, including local models; see our AI code editors guide.
- Neither Anthropic, OpenAI nor Cursor pays us. Prices are US list prices checked October 26, 2026.
FAQ
Is Claude Code free?
No. It needs a paid Claude plan (Pro is $20/month, or $17/month billed yearly) or pay-as-you-go API credits through a Claude Console account.
Can I use Codex for free?
Partly. OpenAI lists limited Codex for ChatGPT Free and Go users in the desktop app, subject to rollout. The CLI, IDE extension, web and cloud features need Plus or higher.
Which is cheapest?
Cursor Plus at $8/month, but only with Grok models. If you want Claude or GPT models included in a flat price, Claude Pro and ChatGPT Plus both cost $20/month.
Can I use more than one?
Yes. Many developers keep Cursor or VS Code as their editor and run Claude Code or Codex in its terminal. Pay for the one you use most and try the others on their free or entry plans.
Related guides
Sources
Prices and limits come from each vendor's own pricing or help pages unless noted, checked October 26, 2026.
- Claude pricing (Claude Code in Pro and Max)
- Claude Code
- Codex pricing
- Cursor pricing
- Cursor models and pricing
How we pick
We compare tools on fit for the job, free-tier limits and price, not on commissions. See our method and affiliate disclosure.
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