# Cursor vs Claude Code vs Codex: which AI coding tool should you pay for?

Published 2026-09-23. Three of the most-used AI coding tools, three different shapes: an editor, a terminal agent and the agent inside ChatGPT. How they differ, and which plan gets you each one.

## The short answer

- **Cursor** ($27) if you want AI inside your editor: the Agent, unlimited Tab, frontier models.
- **Claude Code** comes with **Claude Pro** ($27): an agent in your terminal that works with any editor; Max 5× for long sessions.
- **Codex** comes with **ChatGPT Plus** ($27): OpenAI’s coding agent, next to everything else ChatGPT does.

## Plans compared

| Plan | Price (1 month) | Includes |
| --- | --- | --- |
| [Cursor Pro](https://ai-subscription.io/cursor?offer=pro) | $27 | Extended Agent limits, unlimited Tab; Frontier models included; Cloud agents, MCPs and hooks |
| [Cursor Pro+](https://ai-subscription.io/cursor?offer=pro-plus) | $81 | 3× the Agent limits of Pro; Frontier models included; Everything in Pro |
| [Cursor Ultra](https://ai-subscription.io/cursor?offer=ultra) | $270 | 20× the Agent limits of Pro; Priority access to new features; Everything in Pro |
| [Claude Pro](https://ai-subscription.io/claude?offer=pro) | $27 | Claude’s most capable models; Claude Code included; Projects, research and web search |
| [Claude Max 5×](https://ai-subscription.io/claude?offer=max-5x) | $135 | 5× Pro usage per session; Higher output limits; Priority access at peak times |
| [Claude Max 20×](https://ai-subscription.io/claude?offer=max-20x) | $270 | 20× Pro usage per session; Higher output limits; Early access to new features |
| [ChatGPT Plus](https://ai-subscription.io/chatgpt?offer=plus) | $27 | Latest GPT models with Thinking; Deep research, projects and GPTs; Codex and ChatGPT Work |
| [ChatGPT Pro 5×](https://ai-subscription.io/chatgpt?offer=pro-5x) | $135 | 5× the usage of Plus; OpenAI’s Pro reasoning model; Unlimited, faster image creation |
| [ChatGPT Pro 20×](https://ai-subscription.io/chatgpt?offer=pro-20x) | $270 | 20× the usage of Plus; Most Pro reasoning messages; Highest limits across ChatGPT |

Ask developers which AI coding tool they pay for and three names keep coming back: **Cursor**, **Claude Code** and **Codex**. They are not three versions of the same thing. Cursor is a code editor built around AI; Claude Code is Anthropic’s agent that works from your terminal; Codex is OpenAI’s coding agent, included with ChatGPT. Here is how to choose, and which plan gets you each one.

## Three different shapes

- **Cursor** is where you write code: an editor with an Agent that edits your files, and Tab completions that predict your next change.
- **Claude Code** runs in your terminal, next to whatever editor you use. You describe a task; it reads the codebase, edits files and runs commands.
- **Codex** is OpenAI’s coding agent, part of your ChatGPT plan: it takes coding tasks and works through them, and you review the result.

## Cursor: AI inside the editor

Cursor Pro ($27 a month with us) gives extended Agent limits, unlimited Tab, frontier models, and cloud agents with MCPs and hooks. It suits developers who want AI at every keystroke and like to review changes file by file. Heavy Agent users move up to Pro+ or Ultra: see [Cursor Pro vs Pro+ vs Ultra](https://ai-subscription.io/blog/cursor-pro-vs-pro-plus-vs-ultra).

**Cursor with crypto:**

- [Cursor Pro](https://ai-subscription.io/cursor?offer=pro): $27 a month
- [Cursor Pro+](https://ai-subscription.io/cursor?offer=pro-plus): $81 a month
- [Cursor Ultra](https://ai-subscription.io/cursor?offer=ultra): $270 a month

## Claude Code: an agent in your terminal

Claude Code is included from Claude Pro ($27), with Claude’s most capable models. Because it lives in the terminal, it works with any editor, and it is at its best on multi-step tasks across a codebase. Agentic coding uses your limits much faster than chat, which is why people who run Claude Code for hours choose Max 5× ($135).

**Claude with crypto:**

- [Claude Pro](https://ai-subscription.io/claude?offer=pro): $27 a month
- [Claude Max 5×](https://ai-subscription.io/claude?offer=max-5x): $135 a month
- [Claude Max 20×](https://ai-subscription.io/claude?offer=max-20x): $270 a month

## Codex: coding inside ChatGPT

Codex comes with ChatGPT Plus ($27), next to everything else Plus does: writing, research, images. If you already pay for ChatGPT, it is the coding agent you have without another subscription; the Pro plans raise its limits along with the rest of ChatGPT.

**ChatGPT with crypto:**

- [ChatGPT Plus](https://ai-subscription.io/chatgpt?offer=plus): $27 a month
- [ChatGPT Pro 5×](https://ai-subscription.io/chatgpt?offer=pro-5x): $135 a month
- [ChatGPT Pro 20×](https://ai-subscription.io/chatgpt?offer=pro-20x): $270 a month

## Which one should you pay for?

| If you… | Pick |
| --- | --- |
| Want completions and an agent inside your editor | Cursor Pro |
| Prefer a terminal agent that works with any editor | Claude Pro, for Claude Code |
| Already use ChatGPT daily and want coding on top | ChatGPT Plus, for Codex |
| Run agents for hours every day | Claude Max 5× or Cursor Pro+ |

## Using two of them

They combine well: Cursor for writing and reviewing code, Claude Code or Codex for the long tasks you hand off. Every plan we sell lasts one month and nothing renews on its own, so you can try a combination for a month and keep only what you used. Choosing between editors instead? Read [Cursor vs GitHub Copilot vs Devin](https://ai-subscription.io/blog/ai-coding-plans).

## Quick answers

**Is Claude Code sold on its own?** No: it comes with Claude Pro and the Max plans.

**Is Codex included in ChatGPT Plus?** Yes, and the Pro plans raise its limits.

**What does each cost with you?** At the entry tier, for one month: Cursor Pro $27, Claude Pro $27 and ChatGPT Plus $27, paid once in crypto.

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Source: https://ai-subscription.io/blog/cursor-vs-claude-code-vs-codex · AI Subscription (ai-subscription.io) · Prices in USD for one month, checked against each provider’s page on 22 September 2026.