OpenAI Codex
openai.com
OpenAI's AI system specialized in translating language to code.
Quick Information
- Category:
- Coding
- Pricing:
- Freemium
- Platforms:
- Web, Windows, macOS, Linux
- Free Plan:
- Yes
- API Available:
- Yes
- Last Verified:
- September 2026
What Is OpenAI Codex?
OpenAI Codex is OpenAI's autonomous coding agent, included within ChatGPT plans ranging from Free ($0) up to Pro 20x ($200/month), with Business seats around $20/user/month on annual billing and custom Enterprise pricing. A significant billing change took effect April 2, 2026: Codex usage moved from per-message limits to credits tracking actual API tokens, meaning cost now scales with token consumption rather than a simple message count.
A genuinely important current availability detail worth knowing: as of September 10, 2026, new sign-ups and upgrades to the $200 Pro 20x tier were paused — existing $200 subscriptions keep renewing and Pro at $100 remains unaffected, meaning for a new buyer the live choice is Plus at $20/month or Pro 5x at $100/month, not the top-tier Pro 20x. On average, Codex costs approximately $100-200 per developer per month in practice, though actual costs vary significantly by model used, number of concurrent instances, automations, and fast mode usage.
It's aimed at developers wanting an autonomous coding agent integrated into ChatGPT, with the April 2026 shift to token-based credit billing meaning real cost now depends on actual usage intensity rather than a flat message allowance — new buyers specifically should note that Pro 20x is currently unavailable for new sign-ups, leaving Plus or Pro 5x as the actual available upgrade paths. See our Developer Tools directory for related coding agents like Claude Code and Cursor.
What Can You Use OpenAI Codex For?
Autonomous code generation
Generates and writes code autonomously using an AI coding agent.
Multi-instance coding automation
Runs concurrent coding instances for parallel automation tasks.
Token-based coding usage
Uses Codex with billing tracked by actual API token consumption since April 2026.
OpenAI Codex Features
- Autonomous coding agent — Writes and generates code autonomously within ChatGPT.
- Token-based credit billing — Tracks usage via API tokens rather than per-message limits, since April 2026.
- Fast mode — Provides faster code generation, consuming credits at a different rate.
Who Is OpenAI Codex For?
- Developers — Uses an autonomous coding agent integrated directly into ChatGPT.
- Teams needing concurrent automation — Runs multiple coding instances simultaneously for parallel task automation.
OpenAI Codex Pros & Limitations
What We Like
- Integrated directly into the widely-used ChatGPT interface rather than a separate tool
- Token-based billing (since April 2026) more accurately reflects actual usage intensity
- Business tier at $20/user/month annual provides an accessible team entry point
Limitations
- Pro 20x tier ($200/month) is currently paused for new sign-ups and upgrades as of September 2026
- Average real-world cost ($100-200/developer/month) can exceed the advertised Plus tier price significantly
- Cost varies significantly by model, concurrent instances, and fast mode usage, making budgeting less predictable
OpenAI Codex Pricing
| Plan | Price | Main Features |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Limited Codex access |
| Plus | $20/month | Standard Codex access |
| Pro 5x | $100/month | Expanded credit allocation |
| Pro 20x | $200/month (new sign-ups paused) | Highest credit allocation |
| Business | ~$20/user/month (annual) | Team-scale access |
Pricing was last verified September 2026. Check the official website for the latest pricing.
AI Listing Jungle Ranking
- Global Rank:
- #90
- Overall Score:
- 78.2/100
- Monthly Users:
- –
- Rank Change:
- ▼ 13
This ranking reflects AI Listing Jungle's own independent scoring methodology and is not an endorsement by OpenAI Codex or its company. How Our Rankings Work
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sign up for Codex Pro 20x?
No, new sign-ups and upgrades to the $200 Pro 20x tier were paused as of September 10, 2026.
How is Codex billed now?
By credits tracking API tokens, since a change on April 2, 2026, rather than per-message limits.
How much does Codex typically cost?
On average $100-200/developer/month in practice, varying by model, concurrency, and fast mode usage.
What plans are available for new buyers?
Plus at $20/month or Pro 5x at $100/month — Pro 20x is not currently available for new sign-ups.
Our Take
OpenAI Codex's April 2026 shift to token-based credit billing genuinely better reflects actual usage intensity than the previous per-message limit system.
New buyers specifically should note that Pro 20x is currently unavailable — Plus or Pro 5x are the actual live upgrade paths as of September 2026.
OpenAI Codex Alternatives
OpenAI Codex Comparisons
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