GuideClaude Code vs Codex
Claude Code vs Codex: which one, or both?
Claude Code and Codex are the two biggest coding agents that run in your terminal. They do much of the same work: read your project, edit files, run commands and tests. The real differences are who makes them, which plan pays for them, and how they approach a task. Many people end up using both.
ASide by side
| Claude Code | Codex | |
|---|---|---|
| Made by | Anthropic | OpenAI |
| Runs on | A Claude plan or an Anthropic API key | A ChatGPT plan or an OpenAI API key |
| Limits | A window that resets every five hours and a weekly limit | A weekly limit, plus a five hour window on some plans |
| Works in | Terminal, editors and the desktop app | Terminal, editors, the desktop app and the cloud |
| Extends with | MCP tools, CLAUDE.md, skills, hooks and subagents | MCP tools, AGENTS.md and skills |
BWhich one to pick
Go by the plan you have
If you already pay for Claude, start with Claude Code. If you pay for ChatGPT, start with Codex. Both are included in their plans.
Try both on your own work
They read code and plan changes differently, and each one is better at some tasks. A week of real use tells you more than any comparison.
Use both
Their limits are separate, so two plans give you about twice the hours. A second agent is also a second pair of eyes on the first one's work.
CUsing both on one task
The usual way
One agent in each terminal window, and you copy context between them by hand.
In Lunchbox
Both sit in one room with one memory. Claude Code can plan and ask Codex to build and test a part, and they check each other's results.
At a limit
When one runs out, the other takes the same task with a briefing and the first comes back after its reset.
DQuestions
Is Claude Code better than Codex?
Neither is better at everything. They do the same kind of work, and each is stronger on some tasks. Many developers use both, which also doubles the usage they get from their plans.
Can I use Claude Code and Codex together?
Yes. In Lunchbox they work in one room on the same task, hand parts to each other and check each other's results, each on its own plan.
Do I need both subscriptions?
No. Each works alone on its own plan. Using both only makes sense if you want more hours or a second opinion.