The short answer: Codex if you already use ChatGPT, Cursor if you want an agent-first editor
Choose Codex if your coding agent should sit inside ChatGPT plans you already pay for, or if you want a free desktop start. Choose Cursor if you want an editor built around agents and are fine with Grok-only models on Plus or paying $30 for Premium to unlock cloud agents, Bugbot and third-party models.
Scope and evidence
Task: picking an AI coding agent for daily development. Cursor facts come from its pricing page; Codex facts from OpenAI's Codex pricing and overview, both read on November 6, 2026, plus our profiles of each.
AppFor.ai did not run hands-on trials of Cursor or Codex for this page, and the vendors do not publish a head-to-head test.
Compare the same criteria
Each line sets Cursor's pricing page against OpenAI's Codex documentation.
- Entry price. Cursor: Free with limited agent and chat use; Plus $8, Premium $30, Super $100, Ultra $200. Codex: Free and Go ($8) offer GPT-6 Luna in the desktop app, subject to rollout; Plus $20; Pro from $100. What this means: both have a free start; Cursor's first paid step is $8, Codex's full surfaces start at $20 Plus.
- Models. Cursor: the Plus plan is limited to Grok models; Premium and above unlock third-party models at API list price, billed on top. Codex: GPT-6 Luna on Free and Go; GPT-6.1 Sol and Luna from Plus, with ChatGPT credits to extend usage. What this means: Codex sticks to OpenAI models; Cursor can add other labs from Premium.
- Surfaces. Cursor: its own editor, a CLI and cloud agents. Codex: desktop app, and from Plus the web, CLI, IDE extension, iOS and cloud integrations such as automatic code review and Slack. What this means: Cursor asks you to switch editor; Codex follows ChatGPT's surfaces.
- Agents and review. Cursor: Premium unlocks cloud agents, automations and Bugbot reviews. Codex: cloud-based coding sessions and automatic code review on paid ChatGPT plans. What this means: similar jobs at different plan gates.
- Billing shape. Cursor: monthly plan plus separate third-party model charges. Codex: ChatGPT Work and Codex share the same usage pool and credits. What this means: heavy agent use is metered on both, but the meter lives in different products.
Which fits your real work?
A ChatGPT Plus subscriber who wants coding in the same plan. Codex fits.
A developer who wants an editor designed around agents and will pay for Premium. Cursor fits.
A student trying an agent at zero cost. Both free plans work; Codex Free is limited to desktop Luna.
Cost of getting the work done
Cursor: monthly plans at $0, $8, $30, $100 or $200, and third-party model tokens are billed separately once you are on Premium.
Codex: $0 or $8 for desktop Luna, $20 Plus for full surfaces, Pro from $100; usage is shared with ChatGPT Work.
Try both on the same small task
Suggested check: give both the same small repository task.
- The two new tests pass and the rest of the suite still does.
- No unrelated files change.
- Note how many prompts and approvals each needed.
- Record usage or credits spent on the task.
Decision checklist
Use the lines that match your situation. Our Cursor and OpenAI Codex profiles have more detail.
- If you already pay for ChatGPT Plus, start with Codex.
- If you want an agent-first editor, try Cursor.
- If you need a non-OpenAI model, check Cursor Premium.
- Spend a week on the entry plan before you upgrade.
Go to the source
Sources & further reading
Based on the official documentation below. Features and access can change; check the provider before making a decision.
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