Compiled from official documentation, checked

Claude Code vs OpenAI Codex: documented features compared

Both are agentic coding tools with a CLI, IDE integration and a desktop app, and both document support for local and remote MCP servers with OAuth, skills and plugins. The clearest documented differences are the instruction file (Codex is built around AGENTS.md, Claude Code around CLAUDE.md), where MCP config lives, and how plans are packaged.

How this comparison was made: we have not run hands-on tests or benchmarks of either agent. Every row summarises the vendor’s own documentation and links to it. Prices are list prices as published on the date above and can change.
Claude CodeOpenAI Codex
Surfaces Terminal CLI, VS Code and JetBrains extensions, desktop app source Codex CLI, IDE extension, ChatGPT desktop app, Codex cloud source
Add an MCP server claude mcp add (use --transport http for remote servers) source codex mcp add <name> -- <command>, or --url for Streamable HTTP source
MCP config location .mcp.json (project) or ~/.claude.json (user/local) source ~/.codex/config.toml, or .codex/config.toml in trusted projects source
Remote MCP auth OAuth sign-in from /mcp inside a session source Bearer tokens and OAuth (codex mcp login), incl. CIMD and dynamic client registration source
Instruction file CLAUDE.md; reads AGENTS.md only when no CLAUDE.md exists (v2.1.277+), or via an @AGENTS.md import source AGENTS.md: global ~/.codex/AGENTS.md plus one file per directory, 32 KiB default cap source
Plugins and skills Plugin marketplaces (official claude-plugins-official) and SKILL.md skills source Plugins can bundle MCP servers and skills source
Individual pricing Included in paid plans: Pro $20/mo (US), Max 5x $100/mo, Max 20x $200/mo; or pay-as-you-go API usage via a Console account source Included in ChatGPT plans: Free $0, Go $8, Plus $20, Pro from $100/mo; or API-key usage at API rates source

Which fits your setup?

Based on documented features, not our own testing. See how SaaS tools are supported in each: Claude tools · Codex tools

Related

AGENTS.md vs CLAUDE.md vs Cursor rules

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How to add an MCP server to Codex

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Cursor vs Claude Code: documented features compared

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MCP config generator for every agent

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Frequently asked questions

We have not run hands-on tests, so we do not rank them. According to their documentation, both support MCP (local, and remote with OAuth), skills and plugins. Choose on instruction-file conventions, where you already pay, and which vendor plugins your stack uses.

Sources