GitHub Copilot suggests code as you type — it is your co-pilot. Codex takes over entire tasks, working independently in a sandbox to write, test, and commit code. Copilot is real-time; Codex is async.
Both from OpenAI. Copilot helps you type; Codex does the work for you.
By OpenAI
OpenAI's cloud-based coding agent. Assign tasks and Codex writes, tests, and commits code in the background. Works through ChatGPT with a sandboxed environment.
Ideal for: Developers who want to offload coding tasks and review the results later, especially for larger codebases.
By GitHub / OpenAI
An AI coding assistant that works inside your editor (VS Code, JetBrains, etc.) and suggests code as you type. Think of it as autocomplete on steroids.
Ideal for: Developers who already code and want AI to speed up their typing, autocomplete patterns, and answer quick questions.
| Feature | Codex | GitHub Copilot |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Async coding tasks | Code autocomplete |
| Price | ChatGPT Pro ($200/mo) | Free / $10/mo |
| Difficulty | Intermediate | Intermediate |
| Output Type | Code commits | Code suggestions |
