// head_to_head
Cursor vs OpenAI Codex
Plans, included models and benchmark scores for Cursor and OpenAI Codex, side by side — and which to pick for what.
All coding toolsPlans checked 2026-10-27
Cursor: SpaceXAI completed its acquisition of Cursor on August 14, 2026. The $8 Plus plan offers Grok models only.
Which to choose
- You want the strongest model for coding work: OpenAI Codex. Its best included model, GPT-6.1 Sol, scores 96.0 on LiveBench coding against 84.5 for SpaceXAI: Grok 4.7 on Cursor.
- You want the strongest model for long-horizon agentic work: OpenAI Codex. Its best included model, GPT-6 Astra, scores 77.5 on LiveBench long-horizon agentic against 46.1 for SpaceXAI: Grok 4.7 on Cursor.
- You want to pay per token with your own API key: OpenAI Codex. OpenAI Codex accepts your own API key, so cost tracks usage instead of a plan’s limits.
Side by side
| Cursor | OpenAI Codex | |
|---|---|---|
| Made by | SpaceXAI | OpenAI |
| Where you use it | AI code editor (VS Code fork) with cloud agents | Terminal, IDE extension, desktop app and cloud tasks |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Paid from | $8/mo · Plus | $8/mo · Go |
| Best coding model | 84.5SpaceXAI: Grok 4.7 | 96.0GPT-6.1 Sol |
| Best agentic model | 46.1SpaceXAI: Grok 4.7 | 77.5GPT-6 Astra |
| Own API key | No | Yes |
| Open source | No | No |
Cursor plans and models
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | Limited chat and agent requestsModels not named by the vendor |
| Plus | $8/mo | Shared usage pool; Grok models only |
| Premium | $30/mo | 4× Plus usage; cloud agents and automations+ Third-party models at API list price |
| Super | $100/mo | 15× Plus usage; priority access at peak+ Third-party models at API list price |
| Ultra | $200/mo | 50× Plus usage; earliest access to new models+ Third-party models at API list price |
| Teamsteam | $30/moper user · from | Pooled usage, 4–50× Plus+ Third-party models at API list price |
| Model | Coding | Long-horizon agentic | Same work via API |
|---|---|---|---|
| SpaceXAI: Grok 4.7 | 84.5 | 46.1 | $1,240/mo |
Grok models are included; third-party models are billed separately at API list price.
OpenAI Codex plans and models
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | GPT-6 Luna in the desktop app, subject to rollout |
| Go | $8/mo | GPT-6 Luna in the desktop app, subject to rollout |
| Plus | $20/mo | About 15–160 GPT-6.1 Sol messages per five hours; weekly limits may apply |
| Pro | from $100/mo$200 and $500 tiers | No five-hour limit |
| Businessteam | $25/moper user · $20 billed annually | Same five-hour estimates as Plus |
| Model | Coding | Long-horizon agentic | Same work via API |
|---|---|---|---|
| GPT-6.1 Sol | 96.0 | 68.7 | $1,336/mo |
| GPT-6.1 Terra | 94.3 | 48.6 | $668.00/mo |
| GPT-6 Astra | 93.7 | 77.5 | $6,960/mo |
| GPT-6 Luna | 84.5 | 30.9 | $69.60/mo |
Cursor vs OpenAI Codex FAQ
Is Cursor or OpenAI Codex cheaper?
Both start at $8/mo. Compare what each plan includes rather than the price.
Which is better if you want the strongest model for coding work?
OpenAI Codex. Its best included model, GPT-6.1 Sol, scores 96.0 on LiveBench coding against 84.5 for SpaceXAI: Grok 4.7 on Cursor.
Which is better if you want the strongest model for long-horizon agentic work?
OpenAI Codex. Its best included model, GPT-6 Astra, scores 77.5 on LiveBench long-horizon agentic against 46.1 for SpaceXAI: Grok 4.7 on Cursor.
Do Cursor and OpenAI Codex have free plans?
Cursor: yes. OpenAI Codex: yes.
Where these numbers come from
- Plans and prices — each vendor's own pricing page, checked 2026-10-27: Cursor, OpenAI Codex. Usage allowances change often; check before you buy.
- Model scores — LiveBench coding and long-horizon agentic categories for the models each plan includes, live from the same data as the leaderboard. A tool's own agent loop matters too; these scores rate the model, not the tool.
- “Same work via API” — a heavy coding-agent month (40K tokens in, 4K out, 20K requests, 70% cached input) at OpenRouter list price, for comparing a subscription against paying per token.