Comparison · AI coding assistants
GitHub Copilot vs OpenAI Codex: which is better in 2026?
GitHub Copilot ranks higher in our list of AI coding assistants (#3 against #6, score 91.5 against 81.0).
Choose GitHub Copilot if you want
Teams already hosting code on GitHub.
Works in VS Code, the Copilot CLI and GitHub.com, and can take an issue to a pull request. Usage is metered in AI credits, and it fits best where code already lives on GitHub.
Choose OpenAI Codex if you want
Open-source terminal agent in the OpenAI ecosystem.
An Apache 2.0 terminal agent from OpenAI that runs on the user's computer. The pages checked tie model access to OpenAI sign-in, and it offers no graphical interface.
The main differences
- Only GitHub Copilot runs on Linux.
- Only GitHub Copilot runs on Windows.
- Only GitHub Copilot runs on macOS.
- Only GitHub Copilot runs on Web.
- OpenAI Codex is open source; GitHub Copilot is not.
Side by side
 GitHub Copilot |  OpenAI Codex | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 91.5 | 81.0 |
| Rank in list | #3 of 7 | #6 of 7 |
| Price | Free plan, paid upgradesFree plan; Pro $10 a month; Pro+ $39 a month; Max $100 a month | Free and open sourceOpen-source CLI under Apache-2.0; README covers use with a ChatGPT plan |
| Free to use | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | No | Yes |
| Platforms | WebWindowsmacOSLinuxCommand lineWeb, Windows, macOS, Linux, Command line | Command lineCommand line |
| Made by | GitHub | OpenAI |
| Interface | Editor extension, CLI and GitHub.com | Terminal |
| Model choice | Several models | OpenAI models |
| Commits to git | Not listed | Not listed |
| Best for | Teams already hosting code on GitHub | Open-source terminal agent in the OpenAI ecosystem |
| Strengths |
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| Limits |
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| Links | Visit site | Visit site |
Questions about GitHub Copilot vs OpenAI Codex
- Is GitHub Copilot better than OpenAI Codex?
- GitHub Copilot ranks higher in our list of AI coding assistants (#3 against #6, score 91.5 against 81.0). GitHub Copilot is best for: teams already hosting code on GitHub. OpenAI Codex is best for: open-source terminal agent in the OpenAI ecosystem.
- Which is cheaper, GitHub Copilot or OpenAI Codex?
- GitHub Copilot: Free plan; Pro $10 a month; Pro+ $39 a month; Max $100 a month. OpenAI Codex: Open-source CLI under Apache-2.0; README covers use with a ChatGPT plan.
- Do GitHub Copilot and OpenAI Codex run on the same platforms?
- GitHub Copilot supports Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, Command line. OpenAI Codex supports Command line.