Codex vs Cursor
These are different kinds of tool that often end up side by side. Cursor is an AI code editor: you work inside your files and AI suggests, writes and edits code there. Codex is OpenAI's coding agent, included with ChatGPT plans: you hand it a task and review the result, and its IDE extension runs inside Cursor too. We rate both Advanced, and both can be tried for free.
| Codex | Cursor | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | OpenAI's coding agent, included in ChatGPT plans: builds features, fixes bugs and reviews pull requests from the ChatGPT desktop app, the CLI, IDE extensions, the web and the cloud. | An AI code editor; new signups use The X Subscription (shared with Grok). |
| Price | Included with ChatGPT: limited on Free and Go ($8/mo); Plus $20/mo; Pro from $100/mo | Free; Plus $8/mo; Premium $30/mo; Super $100/mo; Ultra $200/mo (The X Subscription) |
| Free plan | Limited | Yes |
| Difficulty | Advanced | Advanced |
| Price source | Codex pricing (OpenAI) | Cursor pricing |
| Full review | Codex page | Cursor page |
Quick verdict
Pick Codex if
- You already pay for ChatGPT and do not want another subscription
- You want to hand off whole tasks and review the result
- You want automatic pull-request reviews
- You want to start tasks from the ChatGPT app, the web or Slack
Pick Cursor if
- You want an editor where you see and steer each change
- You want fast tab completions as you type
- You want one editor with a choice of models from different companies
- You want cloud agents built into the editor (Premium, $30/mo)
Key differences
Cursor is the place you write code; Codex is a worker you hand tasks to. In Cursor you stay inside your files, accept or reject AI edits and get tab completions as you type. With Codex you describe a task, it works through the project on its own and you review the finished change.
They are not either-or. OpenAI's Codex IDE extension supports Cursor, so you can keep Cursor as your editor and use Codex through your ChatGPT plan, and Cursor has its own agent and cloud agents too.
On price, both can be tried free. Codex is included in ChatGPT plans, with limited use on Free and Go ($8/mo) and fuller access on Plus ($20/mo) and Pro (from $100/mo). Cursor has a free plan, Plus at $8/mo (Grok models only), Premium at $30/mo with cloud agents and third-party models billed at API list price, and Super and Ultra at $100 and $200/mo.
Pick by what you already pay for and how you like to work. If you have ChatGPT Plus, Codex costs nothing extra. If you want an editor with a choice of models from several companies, Cursor is built for that.
Which to use for common tasks
| Task | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Fast completions while typing | Cursor | Editor-first, with tab completions |
| Hand off a whole feature and review it later | Codex | Agent-first, with cloud tasks |
| You already pay for ChatGPT Plus | Codex | Included, nothing extra to buy |
| Pick between models from different companies | Cursor | Premium includes third-party models at API list price |
| Review every pull request automatically | Codex | Code review is listed on ChatGPT Plus and up |
| Use both | Codex in Cursor | The Codex IDE extension supports Cursor |
Try this prompt
I code in [language] and mostly work on [kind of project]. I already pay for [ChatGPT / nothing / Cursor]. Should I use Codex, Cursor or Codex inside Cursor? Answer in one line, then give me a 3-step setup for the option you picked.
Prices from each tool's official pricing page at our last check (2026-10-22). Plans change often, so confirm before you buy. How we pick →
Frequently asked questions
Can I use Codex inside Cursor?
Yes. OpenAI's Codex IDE extension supports VS Code, Cursor and Windsurf, so you can keep Cursor as your editor and use Codex with your ChatGPT plan.
How much do Codex and Cursor cost?
Per their official pages, Codex is included in ChatGPT plans: limited on Free and Go ($8/mo), fuller on Plus ($20/mo) and Pro (from $100/mo). Cursor has a free plan, Plus at $8/mo (Grok models only), Premium at $30/mo, Super at $100/mo and Ultra at $200/mo.
Is Codex or Cursor better for beginners?
Neither; we rate both Advanced. If you have never coded, Lovable or Bolt.new will get you to a working app faster.
Which is cheaper?
Both start free. If you already pay $20/mo for ChatGPT Plus, Codex adds no cost. Cursor's cheapest paid plan is Plus at $8/mo, but it uses Grok models only; Premium is $30/mo.
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