The AI coding tool landscape has settled into three main camps: Cursor (the polished IDE), Codex CLI (OpenAI’s terminal agent), and OpenCode (the open-source challenger). Each takes a fundamentally different approach. Here’s how they compare.

Quick comparison

	OpenCode	Cursor	Codex CLI
Type	Terminal agent	Full IDE	Terminal agent
Open source	✅ Yes	❌ No	❌ No
Model support	Any (GPT, Claude, Gemini, local)	Claude, GPT, custom	GPT only
Price	Free (bring your own API key)	$20/month Pro	Free with ChatGPT Plus
Privacy	You control everything	Cloud-based	Cloud-based
Best for	Power users, model switchers	Full IDE experience	OpenAI ecosystem users

OpenCode: the open-source option

OpenCode is a terminal-based AI coding agent that lets you switch between any model — GPT-5.4, Claude Opus 4.6, Gemini, or even local models via Ollama. It’s fully open source and has been gaining traction fast.

What makes it different

Model agnostic. You’re not locked into one provider. Switch between Claude for architecture decisions and a local Qwen model for quick edits — all in the same session.

Conductor plugin. OpenCode’s standout feature is the Conductor plugin that enforces structured development workflows. Instead of chaotic AI-generated code, it follows a plan-implement-review cycle.

Full control. You see every API call, every token count, every cost. Nothing is hidden behind a subscription.

Setup

npm install -g opencode
export ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=your-key
# or OPENAI_API_KEY, GOOGLE_API_KEY, etc.
opencode

Pricing

Free. You pay only for the API calls to whichever model you use. With DeepSeek V3 at $0.28/M input tokens, a full day of coding costs under $1.

Cursor: the IDE experience

Cursor is a fork of VS Code with AI deeply integrated. It’s the most polished option — tab completion, inline chat, multi-file edits, and a built-in agent mode.

What makes it different

IDE integration. AI isn’t bolted on — it’s woven into every interaction. Tab to accept completions, Cmd+K to edit inline, Cmd+L to chat with context.

Codebase awareness. Cursor indexes your entire project and uses it as context. It understands imports, types, and project structure without you explaining it.

Composer mode. Multi-file edits with a plan-and-execute workflow. Describe what you want, Cursor changes multiple files at once.

Pricing

Plan	Price	Features
Free	$0	50 slow completions/day
Pro	$20/month	Unlimited fast completions, 500 premium requests
Business	$40/month	Team features, admin controls

Who it’s for

Developers who want AI integrated into their daily IDE workflow without thinking about API keys, models, or configuration. It just works.

For a deeper look, see our Cursor one-week review and GitHub Copilot vs Cursor comparison.

Codex CLI: OpenAI’s terminal agent

Codex CLI is OpenAI’s answer to Claude Code. It runs in your terminal, reads your codebase, and executes multi-step coding tasks autonomously.

What makes it different

Sandboxed execution. Codex runs commands in a sandbox by default — it can’t accidentally delete your files or run dangerous commands without approval.

Deep OpenAI integration. Uses the latest GPT models with tool use, web search, and file operations built in.

Free with Plus. If you already have a ChatGPT Plus subscription ($20/month), Codex CLI is included at no extra cost.

Setup

npm install -g @openai/codex
codex login  # Authenticate with your OpenAI account
codex        # Start coding

Who it’s for

Developers already in the OpenAI ecosystem who want a terminal-based coding agent without managing API keys or paying extra.

Feature comparison

Feature	OpenCode	Cursor	Codex CLI
Tab completion	❌	✅	❌
Inline editing	❌	✅	❌
Multi-file edits	✅	✅	✅
Terminal commands	✅	✅	✅ (sandboxed)
Web search	Via model	✅	✅
Local models	✅	Limited	❌
Codebase indexing	Manual	Automatic	Automatic
Git integration	Manual	Built-in	Built-in
Custom workflows	Conductor plugin	❌	❌

Privacy comparison

	OpenCode	Cursor	Codex CLI
Code sent to cloud	Depends on model	Always	Always
Can use local models	✅	❌	❌
Self-hostable	✅	❌	❌
Data retention	You control	Cursor’s policy	OpenAI’s policy

If privacy matters — regulated industries, proprietary code, client work — OpenCode with a local model is the only option that keeps everything on your machine.

Cost comparison (monthly)

Usage level	OpenCode	Cursor	Codex CLI
Light (10 requests/day)	~$3 (DeepSeek)	$0 (free tier)	$0 (with Plus)
Medium (50 requests/day)	~$15 (Claude)	$20 (Pro)	$0 (with Plus)
Heavy (200+ requests/day)	~$60 (Claude)	$20 (Pro)	Rate limited

OpenCode is cheapest for light use with budget models. Cursor Pro is the best value for heavy daily use. Codex CLI is “free” if you already pay for ChatGPT Plus.

For more on the cost tradeoffs, see our free vs paid AI coding tools breakdown.

Which should you pick?

Pick OpenCode if:

• You want to switch between models freely
• Privacy is non-negotiable
• You enjoy terminal workflows
• You want to use local models

Pick Cursor if:

• You want the smoothest IDE experience
• Tab completion matters to you
• You don’t want to think about API keys
• You’re willing to pay $20/month

Pick Codex CLI if:

• You already have ChatGPT Plus
• You prefer terminal over IDE
• You trust OpenAI’s ecosystem
• You want sandboxed execution

What about Claude Code and GitHub Copilot?

Claude Code is Anthropic’s terminal agent — similar to Codex CLI but using Claude models. It requires a Claude Pro subscription ($20/month).

GitHub Copilot is the incumbent for IDE-integrated completion. It’s solid but less capable than Cursor for complex multi-file tasks. See our Copilot one-week review.

The best AI coding tools landscape changes fast. OpenCode’s model-agnostic approach gives it the most flexibility as new models drop — you’re never locked in.

FAQ

Is OpenCode better than Cursor?

They serve different needs. OpenCode is better for developers who want model flexibility, privacy, and terminal workflows — it’s open-source and works with any model including local ones. Cursor is better for developers who want a polished IDE experience with tab completion, inline editing, and zero configuration.

Is OpenCode free?

Yes. OpenCode itself is completely free and open-source. You only pay for the API calls to whichever model you choose. With budget models like DeepSeek V3 at $0.28/M input tokens, a full day of coding can cost under $1. With local models via Ollama, it’s entirely free.

Which is best for coding?

Cursor offers the smoothest overall coding experience with IDE integration, tab completion, and codebase indexing. OpenCode offers the most flexibility and lowest cost. Codex CLI is the best value if you already have ChatGPT Plus. For pure code quality, all three depend on the underlying model — Claude and GPT-5.4 produce similar results regardless of which tool you use.

Related: AI Coding Tools Pricing