OpenAI Codex vs Windsurf
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.
91/100
Windsurf
An AI-powered code editor focused on agentic workflows, multi-file editing, and in-editor refactoring. Now part of OpenAI following the acquisition of Codeium in late 2025.
Quick Verdict
Windsurf excels at ai-native development and large codebases with a score of 91/100. Windsurf, now part of OpenAI following the acquisition of Codeium, competes in the Cursor-class editor category with an emphasis on agentic workflows.
📊 Visual Score Comparison
Side-by-side comparison of key performance metrics across six evaluation criteria
Technical Specifications
| Feature | OpenAI Codex | Windsurf |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Primarily powered by OpenAI models (GPT-4.1, o3) with the Cascade agent for agentic workflows. Legacy Codeium models may still be used for low-latency autocomplete. |
| Context Window | Large context via o3/GPT-5. Repository preloading enables full codebase understanding without manual file selection. | Supports large context windows via OpenAI's frontier models. Cascade agent maintains multi-file context for complex refactoring tasks. |
| Deployment Options | Codex Web runs in OpenAI's cloud sandboxes. Codex CLI is open-source and runs locally. Enterprise deployment options available. | Desktop application for macOS, Windows, and Linux. Enterprise plans available with SSO and team management features. |
| Offline Mode | Codex CLI supports local execution. Codex Web requires internet for cloud sandbox operation. | Limited offline capabilities; core AI features require cloud connectivity to OpenAI's infrastructure. |
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
Windsurf Features
- Cascade agent for autonomous multi-step coding tasks
- Agentic workflows for multi-step tasks
- Context-aware code completion and refactoring
- Multi-file edits and project-wide reasoning
- Native editor experience with low-latency responses
- Deep integration with OpenAI models
Pricing & Value Analysis
| Aspect | OpenAI Codex | Windsurf |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing URL | View OpenAI Codex Pricing | View Windsurf Pricing |
| Overall Score | 96/100 | 91/100 |
| Best For | Autonomous Development, PR Automation, ChatGPT Ecosystem, Multimodal Coding, Enterprise Teams | AI-Native Development, Large Codebases, Agentic Workflows, OpenAI Ecosystem Users |
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
Windsurf Excels At
- Multi-file feature development with agent-guided refactors
- Complex codebase changes coordinated across modules
- Rapid iteration with in-editor AI for generation and fixes
- Teams invested in the OpenAI ecosystem seeking a native editor experience
Performance & Integration
| Category | OpenAI Codex | Windsurf | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| IDE Support | IDE-agnostic via CLI. Integrates with GitHub for PR workflows. ChatGPT desktop and web interfaces. | Windsurf is a standalone VS Code-based editor. Also offers extensions for VS Code, JetBrains IDEs, and Neovim. | Tie |
| Community | Active community | Active community | Tie |
| Data Richness | Comprehensive | Comprehensive | Tie |
| Overall Score | 96/100 | 91/100 | OpenAI Codex |
The Bottom Line
Both OpenAI Codex and Windsurf are capable AI coding tools, but they serve different needs. OpenAI Codex scores higher (96/100 vs 91/100) 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 Windsurf if: you prioritize ai-native development and large codebases and don't mind a slightly lower score for specialized features.