OpenAI Codex vs Cursor
Detailed comparison of features, performance, and use cases
96/100
OpenAI Codex
OpenAI's flagship agentic coding platform combining Codex Web (autonomous cloud agent powered by o3) and Codex CLI (open-source local tool using GPT-5), delivering end-to-end software development with PR automation and multimodal input support.
Quick Verdict
OpenAI Codex excels at autonomous development and pr automation with a score of 96/100. OpenAI Codex has emerged as a legitimate Claude Code challenger, with GPT-5.
94/100
Cursor
A polished AI-native code editor with sophisticated hybrid architecture, combining agentic reasoning with vector search for strong cross-file understanding.
Quick Verdict
Cursor excels at ai-native development and code refactoring with a score of 94/100. Cursor delivers the most polished AI-native IDE experience, with seamless integration of frontier models directly into the editing workflow.
📊 Visual Score Comparison
Side-by-side comparison of key performance metrics across six evaluation criteria
Technical Specifications
| Feature | OpenAI Codex | Cursor |
|---|---|---|
| Core AI Model(s) | Codex Web uses specialized o3 optimized for coding. Codex CLI uses GPT-5 by default with support for GPT-5.1-Codex-Mini for extended local usage. | Supports frontier models including Claude Sonnet 4, OpenAI o3-pro, OpenAI GPT-4.1, Gemini 2.5 Pro, and Claude Opus 4. It also utilizes custom, purpose-built models for features like its native autocomplete, 'Tab'. |
| Context Window | Large context via o3/GPT-5. Repository preloading enables full codebase understanding without manual file selection. | The Pro plan provides access to maximum context windows. |
| Deployment Options | Codex Web runs in OpenAI's cloud sandboxes. Codex CLI is open-source and runs locally. Enterprise deployment options available. | Cursor is a downloadable desktop application for macOS, Windows, and Linux. For teams, it offers an Enterprise plan with SAML/OIDC SSO and SCIM seat management for centralized administration. |
| Offline Mode | Codex CLI supports local execution. Codex Web requires internet for cloud sandbox operation. | Cursor has offline capabilities. A GitHub repository provides a guide for offline activation, enabling all features to work without a cloud or login requirement in airgapped systems. However, some users have reported difficulty using agent mode specifically in an offline setting. |
Core Features Comparison
OpenAI Codex Features
- Dual-mode operation: Codex Web (cloud sandbox) and Codex CLI (local execution)
- Autonomous task execution running 1-30 minutes independently in cloud sandboxes
- Auto-review PRs with semantic understanding beyond static analysis
- Multimodal inputs: screenshots, diagrams, and images for context
- MCP (Model Context Protocol) integration for external tools
- Open-source CLI under permissive license
- Repository preloading for full codebase understanding
Cursor Features
- AI-powered code completion and generation
- Multi-file code editing with AI chat
- Advanced code understanding and refactoring
- Integrated terminal and debugging tools
- Native Docker and deployment integration
- Multiple frontier model support (Claude, GPT-4, Gemini)
Pricing & Value Analysis
| Aspect | OpenAI Codex | Cursor |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing URL | View OpenAI Codex Pricing | View Cursor Pricing |
| Overall Score | 96/100 | 94/100 |
| Best For | Autonomous Development, PR Automation, ChatGPT Ecosystem, Multimodal Coding, Enterprise Teams | AI-Native Development, Code Refactoring, Multi-file Projects, Rapid Prototyping |
Best Use Cases
OpenAI Codex Excels At
- Autonomous feature implementation: describe the task, Codex works independently in a cloud sandbox for up to 30 minutes, then returns completed code with PR
- Automated PR review: tag Codex on any PR for semantic review that understands intent, runs tests, and catches bugs beyond static analysis
- Multimodal debugging: share screenshots of UI bugs or architecture diagrams—Codex interprets visual context to understand and fix issues
- Codebase exploration: ask questions about unfamiliar repositories, Codex navigates and explains code structure with full context
Cursor Excels At
- Large-scale refactoring across multiple files with AI understanding the full codebase context
- Building complex features by describing functionality in natural language and letting AI generate the implementation
- Code reviews and debugging with AI analyzing relationships between files and suggesting improvements
Performance & Integration
| Category | OpenAI Codex | Cursor | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| IDE Support | IDE-agnostic via CLI. Integrates with GitHub for PR workflows. ChatGPT desktop and web interfaces. | Cursor is a standalone code editor that is a fork of VS Code. This allows users to import their existing VS Code extensions, themes, and keybindings with a single click. | Tie |
| Community | Active community | Active community | Tie |
| Data Richness | Comprehensive | Comprehensive | Tie |
| Overall Score | 96/100 | 94/100 | OpenAI Codex |
The Bottom Line
Both OpenAI Codex and Cursor are capable AI coding tools, but they serve different needs. OpenAI Codex scores higher (96/100 vs 94/100) and excels in autonomous development and pr automation. The choice depends on your specific workflow, team size, and technical requirements.
Choose OpenAI Codex if: you prioritize autonomous development and pr automation and want the higher-rated option (96/100).
Choose Cursor if: you prioritize ai-native development and code refactoring and don't mind a slightly lower score for specialized features.