Codex comes bundled with ChatGPT plans, starting at Free ($0) and Go ($8 a month). Claude Code needs a Claude subscription or an Anthropic Console account on most surfaces, with Pro at $17 a month billed annually. This guide compares access and pricing only. It does not judge code quality, because I ran neither tool.
The short answer
- Codex: included in ChatGPT plans from Free ($0) and Go ($8 a month) up. Surfaces include a CLI, an IDE extension and a cloud version.
- Claude Code: runs in the terminal, IDEs, a desktop app and the web. Per Anthropic, most surfaces need a Claude subscription or Anthropic Console account.
- Entry prices: Codex Plus is $20 a month and Pro starts at $100. Claude Pro is $17 a month billed annually or $20 monthly, and Max starts at $100.
- Cheapest way in: Codex, because Free and Go exist. Claude Code starts at Pro.
- Limits: both vendors use usage limits that depend on your plan, so the numbers are not comparable one-to-one.
How do access and pricing compare?
| Codex (OpenAI) | Claude Code (Anthropic) | |
|---|---|---|
| Where it runs | Codex cloud, ChatGPT desktop, mobile and web apps, Codex CLI, Codex IDE extension | Terminal CLI, VS Code and JetBrains extensions, desktop app, web and mobile |
| How you get it | Included in ChatGPT Free, Go, Plus, Pro, Business, Edu or Enterprise plans | Most surfaces require a Claude subscription or Anthropic Console account; the desktop app requires a paid subscription |
| Entry price | Free $0; Go $8/month; Plus $20/month; Pro from $100/month | Pro $17/month billed annually or $20 monthly; Max from $100/month (Anthropic pricing page) |
| Usage limits | Depend on model, task size and whether tasks run locally or in the cloud; Plus local estimates are given per five hours; ChatGPT Work and Codex share usage | Rolling five-hour window plus weekly limits on paid plans; usage is shared across web, desktop, mobile and Claude Code |
| With an API key | Pay for Codex usage at API pricing | Console account or third-party providers on the terminal CLI, VS Code and JetBrains |
At $20 a month, Codex Plus and Claude Pro on monthly billing cost the same. Annual billing brings Claude Pro down to $17.
What does OpenAI say about Codex limits?
OpenAI’s page says message counts depend on the model, the task and whether it runs locally or in the cloud. For the Plus plan it gives estimated local messages per five-hour period. Examples: 5 to 45 for GPT-6 Astra, 15 to 160 for GPT-6.1 Sol, 15 to 150 for GPT-6 Sol and 350 to 3,000 for GPT-6 Luna.
The page calls these estimates, not fixed limits. It says Pro plans currently have no five-hour limit, and weekly limits may also apply. The wide ranges mean a heavy task on the top model burns your allowance far faster than a light one on the smallest model.
What does Anthropic say about Claude Code?
Anthropic describes Claude Code as an agentic coding tool that reads your codebase, edits files, runs commands and integrates with your development tools.
You install it with this command on macOS, Linux and WSL: curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.sh | bash. In Windows PowerShell, use: irm https://claude.ai/install.ps1 | iex. Homebrew or WinGet also work.
Anthropic’s pricing page says Claude Code is part of Pro and above, and that its limits are shared with chat. Long chat sessions therefore draw from the same allowance as your coding.
Which one should you try first?
- If you already pay for ChatGPT, Codex is part of that plan. Try it first within your plan’s limits.
- If you already pay for Claude, Claude Code is included from Pro. Do the same.
- If you pay for neither and want to spend nothing, Codex on the Free plan is the only zero-cost start.
- For a real decision, we suggest running the same small task on both. Compare the result and how much of your limit it used.
Questions and answers about Codex and Claude Code
Is Codex free?
Yes, within limits. OpenAI’s page says Codex is included in the ChatGPT Free plan, with usage limits that depend on the model and task.
Does Claude Code need a subscription?
On most surfaces, yes: a Claude subscription or an Anthropic Console account. The desktop app requires a paid subscription.
Can I use an API key instead?
Yes, on both. You pay for Codex usage at API pricing. Claude Code works with a Console account or third-party providers on the terminal CLI, VS Code and JetBrains.
Which has the higher entry price for heavy use?
They match. Codex Pro starts at $100 a month and Claude Max starts at $100 a month.
Do the two share usage with their chat apps?
Yes. Claude Code limits are shared with chat and other Claude apps, and ChatGPT Work and Codex share usage.
Sources
- OpenAI: ChatGPT Work and Codex pricing (read 22 October 2026)
- Anthropic: Claude Code overview (read 22 October 2026)
- Anthropic: Claude pricing
Facts read on 22 October 2026.
Part of the guide: AI Model Pricing and API Cost Guides
