OpenAI Codex vs Windsurf: Features, Pricing and User Reviews 2026
Compare features, pricing, reviews, and more to make an informed decision
OpenAI Codex
OpenAI Codex is an AI-powered coding assistant that writes, tests, and reviews code in your development environment and cloud.
Windsurf
Windsurf is an AI-powered code editor with Cascade agent that codes, debugs, and thinks ahead for developers.
OpenAI Codex
OpenAI Codex is an AI-powered coding assistant that writes, tests, and reviews code in your development environment and cloud.
Windsurf
Windsurf is an AI-powered code editor with Cascade agent that codes, debugs, and thinks ahead for developers.
OpenAI Codex
Writes code, fixes bugs, and adds tests
Works in terminal, IDE, cloud, and mobile
Automatic pull request reviews on GitHub
Runs multiple tasks at the same time
Provides detailed logs and test results
Supports custom setup through AGENTS.md files
Secure isolated environment for each task
Integrates with VS Code, Cursor, and Windsurf
Background cloud processing
Mobile app support for task management
Windsurf
AI Cascade agent for intelligent coding assistance
Multi-model AI support (GPT-4, Claude, Gemini)
Advanced autocomplete with Windsurf Tab
Built-in terminal and command execution
Image-to-code generation capabilities
Live app preview and deployment
VS Code compatibility with extension support
Memory system for project-specific learning
Automatic lint fixing and error detection
Team collaboration and management tools
OpenAI Codex
OpenAI Codex is included as part of your ChatGPT subscription and does not require a separate purchase. It is available across multiple plan levels, each with different usage limits.
ChatGPT Plus costs $20 per month and includes Codex with usage limits that allow about 30 to 150 local messages or 5 to 40 cloud tasks every 5 hours. This plan is best for developers working on a few focused coding sessions each week.
ChatGPT Pro costs $200 per month and provides significantly higher limits, allowing about 300 to 1,500 local messages or 50 to 400 cloud tasks every 5 hours. This plan suits developers who need Codex throughout their full workday across multiple projects.
Business, Education, and Enterprise plans include the same per-seat limits as Plus. However, plans with flexible pricing can purchase additional credits to go beyond included limits. For automatic pull request reviews on all repositories, flexible pricing is required.
Windsurf
Windsurf offers flexible pricing plans designed for individual developers, teams, and enterprises. The platform uses a credit-based system where each AI interaction consumes prompt credits.
Free Plan: Perfect for trying out Windsurf with 25 prompt credits monthly, unlimited Windsurf Tab autocomplete, app previews, and a 2-week Pro trial.
Pro Plan ($15/month): Ideal for serious developers with 500 prompt credits monthly, access to all premium AI models including the exclusive SWE-1 model, additional credits available at $10 for 250 credits, and 5 app deployments daily.
Teams Plan ($30/user/month): Built for collaborative development with 500 credits per user monthly, centralized billing, admin dashboard with analytics, priority support, and automated data retention controls.
Enterprise Plans ($60+/user/month): Comprehensive solution with 1,000+ credits per user, role-based access control, single sign-on, dedicated support, and volume discounts for larger organizations exceeding 200 users.