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Compiled from official documentation, checked

OpenAI Codex vs Cursor: documented features compared

Short answer

Codex is OpenAI’s coding agent across a CLI, IDE extension, the ChatGPT desktop app and Codex cloud, included in ChatGPT plans. Cursor is an AI-first code editor with an agent and a CLI, sold in its own plans with a usage pool. Both read AGENTS.md and support MCP; they differ in config format and how usage is priced.

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.
OpenAI CodexCursor
Form factor Codex CLI, IDE extension, ChatGPT desktop app, Codex cloud source AI-first code editor plus CLI source
Add an MCP server codex mcp add <name> -- <command>, or --url for Streamable HTTP source Customize page, Cursor Marketplace (Add to Cursor), or mcp.json source
MCP config location ~/.codex/config.toml, or .codex/config.toml in trusted projects source .cursor/mcp.json (project) or ~/.cursor/mcp.json (global) source
Remote MCP auth Bearer tokens and OAuth (codex mcp login) source OAuth for SSE and Streamable HTTP; static client credentials via an auth block source
Rules / instructions AGENTS.md: global ~/.codex/AGENTS.md plus one file per directory, 32 KiB default cap source .cursor/rules/*.mdc (description, globs, alwaysApply) and AGENTS.md source
Individual pricing Included in ChatGPT plans: Free $0, Go $8, Plus $20, Pro from $100/mo source Free $0, Plus $8 (Cursor models only), Premium $30, Super $100, Ultra $200/mo; third-party models at API list price source

Which fits your setup?

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

Full pricing details: OpenAI Codex pricing, plans & limits · Cursor pricing, plans & limits

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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How to add an MCP server to Cursor

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Codex sandbox modes and approval policies explained

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How to install the OpenAI Codex CLI

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What is AGENTS.md? The open instruction file for coding agents

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Codex skills: create, install and use SKILL.md skills in Codex

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Cursor Agent SDK: build, test and deploy agents as code

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GPT-6.1 Terra in Codex and the API: setup, pricing and limits

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Codex config.toml: location, precedence and the settings to change

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Codex on Windows: native sandbox setup, WSL and fixes

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MCP config generator for every agent

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Frequently asked questions

We have not tested them hands-on, so we do not rank them. According to their docs, both support MCP with OAuth and read AGENTS.md. They differ in form factor, config format and pricing.

Sources