# Alternatives to Codex CLI Canonical: https://theagenticweekly.com/alternatives/codex-cli · Last updated: 2026-10-25 · Author: Agentic Weekly (operated independently from Texas, US) · Codex CLI evidence: Tested (smoke test, 2026-10-25, local Qwen2.5-3B-Instruct, not vendor models) > 12 alternatives to Codex CLI that we cover: Claude Code, Gemini CLI, Kiro, Cursor, Windsurf (now Devin Desktop), Amazon Q Developer, Augment Code, Devin, Qodo, Warp, Zed, goose. Skip Codex CLI if: You are happy with another coding agent; nothing here changes the core capability; You need the image preview feature but your terminal does not support Kitty or Sixel graphics. ## At a glance | Tool | Evidence | Pricing | Latest version we cover | Last verified | |---|---|---|---|---| | Codex CLI | Tested (smoke test, 2026-10-25, local Qwen2.5-3B-Instruct, not vendor models) | Not verified | 0.164.0 | 2026-10-25 | | Claude Code | Tested (smoke test, 2026-10-25, local Qwen2.5-3B-Instruct, not vendor models) | Not verified | v2.1.310 | 2026-10-25 | | Gemini CLI | Reported (not run by us) | Not verified | v0.65.0 | 2026-10-25 | | Kiro | Reported (not run by us) | Official page, dated | n/a | 2026-10-25 | | Cursor | Reported (not run by us) | Official page, dated | n/a | 2026-10-25 | | Windsurf (now Devin Desktop) | Reported (not run by us) | Official page, dated | n/a | 2026-10-25 | | Amazon Q Developer | Reported (not run by us) | Official page, dated | n/a | 2026-10-25 | | Augment Code | Reported (not run by us) | Official page, dated | n/a | 2026-10-25 | | Devin | Reported (not run by us) | Official page, dated | n/a | 2026-10-25 | | Qodo | Reported (not run by us) | Partly verified | n/a | 2026-10-25 | | Warp | Reported (not run by us) | Official page, dated | n/a | 2026-10-25 | | Zed | Reported (not run by us) | Official page, dated | n/a | 2026-10-25 | | goose | Tested (smoke test, 2026-10-25, local Qwen2.5-3B-Instruct, not vendor models) | Not verified | v1.56.0 | 2026-10-25 | ## Claude Code Evidence: Tested (smoke test, 2026-10-25, local Qwen2.5-3B-Instruct, not vendor models). Update now if you use the sandbox or run Claude Code on a cloud provider; skip if you wanted flashy new features, this is a hardening release. Pick Claude Code if: Anyone relying on the Bash sandbox or permission rules (the 2.1.309 fixes close real gaps); Teams running Claude Code through Bedrock, Vertex or Foundry. - Write-up: https://theagenticweekly.com/tools/claude-code - Comparison: https://theagenticweekly.com/compare/claude-code-vs-codex-cli - For AI coding agents: Claude Code is #1, Codex CLI is #2. (editorial ranks) - For vibe coding: Claude Code is #1, Codex CLI is #2. (editorial ranks) ## Gemini CLI Evidence: Reported (not run by us). Skip it as a new starter on a consumer plan; keep it only if you are on an enterprise license or a paid API key. Pick Gemini CLI if: Organizations on Gemini Code Assist Standard or Enterprise (Google says their access is unchanged); People using Gemini CLI with a paid Gemini API key. - Write-up: https://theagenticweekly.com/tools/gemini-cli - Comparison: https://theagenticweekly.com/compare/codex-cli-vs-gemini-cli - For AI coding agents: Gemini CLI is #3, Codex CLI is #2. (editorial ranks) ## Kiro Evidence: Reported (not run by us). AWS's agentic coding tool that turns prompts into requirements, designs and tasks (spec mode), with an IDE and a CLI. Pick Kiro if: Developers who want structured specs before code is written; AWS users moving off Amazon Q Developer IDE plugins. - Write-up: https://theagenticweekly.com/tools/kiro - For AI coding agents: Kiro is not ranked, Codex CLI is #2. (editorial ranks) - For vibe coding: Kiro is not ranked, Codex CLI is #2. (editorial ranks) ## Cursor Evidence: Reported (not run by us). Worth a look if you run agents on several repos or want one place for editor, cloud agents and Git hosting; the October changes are mostly for teams. Pick Cursor if: Teams that want cloud agents with shared, scriptable environments; Developers who like an editor-first workflow with an agent built in. - Write-up: https://theagenticweekly.com/tools/cursor - For AI coding agents: Cursor is #4, Codex CLI is #2. (editorial ranks) - For vibe coding: Cursor is #6, Codex CLI is #2. (editorial ranks) ## Windsurf (now Devin Desktop) Evidence: Reported (not run by us). Windsurf was renamed Devin Desktop on June 2, 2026: a full IDE with an Agent Command Center for managing local and cloud coding agents. Pick Windsurf (now Devin Desktop) if: Developers already using Windsurf who want the same editor under the Devin brand; People who want one place to manage local and cloud coding agents. - Write-up: https://theagenticweekly.com/tools/windsurf - For AI coding agents: Windsurf (now Devin Desktop) is not ranked, Codex CLI is #2. (editorial ranks) - For vibe coding: Windsurf (now Devin Desktop) is not ranked, Codex CLI is #2. (editorial ranks) ## Amazon Q Developer Evidence: Reported (not run by us). AWS's AI coding assistant for IDEs and the CLI, with a free tier and a $19 Pro tier; IDE plugin support ends April 30, 2027. Pick Amazon Q Developer if: AWS-centric teams already using Q Developer; Teams that need IP indemnity (Pro). - Write-up: https://theagenticweekly.com/tools/amazon-q-developer - For AI coding agents: Amazon Q Developer is not ranked, Codex CLI is #2. (editorial ranks) ## Augment Code Evidence: Reported (not run by us). Coding agent and 'Cosmos' platform with a Context Engine, CLI and cloud agents; plans are flat team prices with usage included. Pick Augment Code if: Small teams that want flat pricing across seats; Teams working on large codebases (Context Engine focus). - Write-up: https://theagenticweekly.com/tools/augment-code - For AI coding agents: Augment Code is not ranked, Codex CLI is #2. (editorial ranks) ## Devin Evidence: Reported (not run by us). Cognition's autonomous software engineer: a cloud coding agent that tests in its own browser and aims to hand back a mergeable pull request. Pick Devin if: Teams that want to delegate whole tickets to a cloud agent and review PRs; Engineers who want tasks to keep running after they close their laptop. - Write-up: https://theagenticweekly.com/tools/devin - For AI coding agents: Devin is not ranked, Codex CLI is #2. (editorial ranks) ## Qodo Evidence: Reported (not run by us). AI code review platform with 15+ agentic workflows for IDEs, pull requests and security, priced by team credits. Pick Qodo if: Teams that want review automation on every pull request. - Write-up: https://theagenticweekly.com/tools/qodo - For AI coding agents: Qodo is not ranked, Codex CLI is #2. (editorial ranks) ## Warp Evidence: Reported (not run by us). Warp's terminal and agent platform; it now pitches 'open infrastructure for cloud software factories' defined as code, with any model. Pick Warp if: Developers who want an agent-aware terminal; Teams that want to define agent workflows as code. - Write-up: https://theagenticweekly.com/tools/warp - For AI coding agents: Warp is not ranked, Codex CLI is #2. (editorial ranks) ## Zed Evidence: Reported (not run by us). High-performance, multiplayer code editor from the creators of Atom and Tree-sitter, open source with AI optional. Pick Zed if: Developers who want a fast editor and optional AI; Teams that want org-wide AI controls (Business). - Write-up: https://theagenticweekly.com/tools/zed - For AI coding agents: Zed is not ranked, Codex CLI is #2. (editorial ranks) ## goose Evidence: Tested (smoke test, 2026-10-25, local Qwen2.5-3B-Instruct, not vendor models). Pick goose if you want an open-source agent with real subagent controls; v1.56.0 is a solid, subagent-heavy update. Pick goose if: People who want an Apache-2.0 agent with a desktop app and CLI; Users who delegate work to subagents and need resume and limits. - Write-up: https://theagenticweekly.com/tools/goose - For AI coding agents: goose is #8, Codex CLI is #2. (editorial ranks) ## How to cite Agentic Weekly, "Alternatives to Codex CLI", last updated 2026-10-25, https://theagenticweekly.com/alternatives/codex-cli