OpenAI Codex vs OpenHands
Which AI tool is better for you?
Overview
OpenAI Codex and OpenHands are both AI Coding tools, but they take different approaches. OpenAI Codex: OpenAI's software engineering agent that works on tasks in parallel cloud sandboxes and in your terminal — included with ChatGPT paid plans. OpenHands: Open-source software-engineering agent (formerly OpenDevin) that writes code, runs commands, and browses — self-hosted for free or via a managed cloud.
Not every plan here is sold as a flat monthly price — check each official pricing page for current plans. OpenHands offers a free plan, while OpenAI Codex does not.
Which one fits depends on your workflow and budget. The table below lines up the verified facts, and the interactive comparison lets you put OpenAI Codex, OpenHands, and any other tool side by side.
Side-by-side comparison
| OpenAI Codex | OpenHands | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | See pricing | Free |
| Free Plan | No | Yes |
| Free Trial | No | No |
| Pricing Type | Paid | Freemium |
| Supported platforms | — | — |
| Web | — | — |
| Mobile | — | — |
| API | — | — |
| Categories | AI Coding | AI Coding |
At a glance
Choose OpenAI Codex if…
- its focus matches what you're building — see the overview above
Choose OpenHands if…
- you want to start on a free plan without paying
Alternatives worth considering
Other tools in the same category.
GitHub's AI pair programmer for code completion inside your editor.
Best for Autocomplete inside your existing editor
An AI-first code editor built for pair-programming with AI.
Best for AI-first coding as your primary editor
Cloud coding platform with an AI agent that can build and deploy apps.
AI-powered code editor with agentic coding workflows.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, OpenAI Codex or OpenHands?
At least one of them doesn't sell a flat monthly plan, so there's no single number to compare — check both official pricing pages.
Do OpenAI Codex and OpenHands have free plans?
OpenHands offers a free plan; OpenAI Codex does not.
Do OpenAI Codex and OpenHands offer free trials?
Neither lists a free trial.
Which is better, OpenAI Codex or OpenHands?
There's no single answer — it depends on your use case and budget. Compare the verified facts above, then open the interactive comparison to line OpenAI Codex and OpenHands up with any other tools you're considering.
Can I use OpenAI Codex and OpenHands together?
Yes — nothing stops you from using both, and many people combine tools for different tasks. Add OpenAI Codex and OpenHands to the AI stack builder to see what the combination costs per month.
What are alternatives to OpenAI Codex and OpenHands?
Popular alternatives include GitHub Copilot, Cursor, Replit, Windsurf, Lovable — each has its own detail page on ToolScanner with verified pricing.
Where can I verify current pricing for OpenAI Codex and OpenHands?
On each official website — providers change prices and plans at any time. ToolScanner shows the monthly-billing price as of our last verification, with the date on each tool's page.