HEAD-TO-HEAD

Cursor vs. Codex

See what each agent is suited for and jump to the details that matter for your task.

What matters for your task

Example task Develop software

Cursor
A good fit if you work in an AI editor and want to choose approval levels for terminal commands yourself
Codex
A good fit if you want to hand software tasks in repositories to an agent via app, CLI or editor

Workspace Check whether you work in an editor, a terminal, on your own machine or in the cloud.
Approvals Check which actions the agent may take and who approves them.
Model choice Check which models your access includes and whether you can connect your own.

AI development environment

Coding agent for understanding code, planning changes, developing, and testing.

Coding agent

OpenAI's agent for software work: understand, change, and test code. Available in the desktop app, terminal (CLI), editor, and cloud.

LimitationNew owner and new plansAccording to the provider, Cursor has been part of SpaceX since 14 August 2026. The pricing page now shows Grok features and X benefits in the same plans. The former Hobby, Pro and 40 USD Teams plans are no longer listed there; according to the documentation they continue for existing customers.
RequirementAccess and usage budgetAgent use follows plan and usage budget. Plus includes only Grok models. Cloud agents, automations and other providers' models start at Premium; those models are billed separately by usage.
RequirementApprove MCP toolsMCP access follows Run Mode, the allowlist and approval configuration. Check the tools actually permitted before use.

RequirementAccess to files and the networkThe environment and permission profile determine which files Codex can read or change and which services it can access.
RequirementLocal schedules require the app to be runningFor scheduled work in a local project, the computer and desktop app must be running and the project available.
LimitationSchedules are managed in the app or on the webThe CLI and editor extension do not have their own Scheduled management. You can prepare tasks there; they are configured in the app or on the web.

Based on dated provider sources, not hands-on product tests. Prices and availability may change; each profile states its review date.