# Codex CLI vs Gemini CLI: which should you use?

Canonical: https://theagenticweekly.com/compare/codex-cli-vs-gemini-cli · Last updated: 2026-10-26 · Author: Agentic Weekly (operated independently from Texas, US) · Evidence: Codex CLI: Tested (smoke test, 2026-10-25, local Qwen2.5-3B-Instruct, not vendor models); Gemini CLI: Reported (not run by us)

**Our pick:** Pick Codex CLI for people who already use Codex and repeat the same setup prompts (presets save the typing); pick Gemini CLI for organizations on Gemini Code Assist Standard or Enterprise (Google says their access is unchanged). No overall winner: we have not benchmarked them against each other. **Updated:** 2026-10-26 (America/Chicago).

> Agentic Weekly currently ranks Codex CLI above Gemini CLI in every category both cover (AI coding agents). Pick Gemini CLI when: Organizations on Gemini Code Assist Standard or Enterprise (Google says their access is unchanged).

## Rankings by category

- For AI coding agents, Agentic Weekly ranks Codex CLI (#2) above Gemini CLI (#3).

## Side by side

| Detail | Codex CLI | Gemini CLI |
|---|---|---|
| Vendor | OpenAI | Google |
| Latest version we cover | 0.164.0 | v0.65.0 |
| Release date | 2026-10-23 | 2026-10-20 |
| Evidence and scope | Tested (smoke test, 2026-10-25, local Qwen2.5-3B-Instruct, not vendor models) | Reported (not run by us) |
| Pricing | Not verified | Not verified |
| What changed most recently | Save reusable prompts and slash commands in ten numbered /presets slots, with a keyboard menu for quick access. Set model, reasoning effort, speed and permission profiles directly with inline /model and /permissions arguments. | Custom OTLP headers are now supported in telemetry configuration. Workspace settings are enforced as read-only in untrusted folders. |
| Verdict | A quality-of-life release: worth updating if you re-type the same prompts or switch models a lot, not a reason to switch tools. | 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. |
| Last verified | 2026-10-25 | 2026-10-25 |

## Pick Codex CLI if

- People who already use Codex and repeat the same setup prompts (presets save the typing)
- Teams that connect Codex to enterprise MCP servers and want fewer sign-in hurdles
- Anyone who wants an open-source (Apache-2.0) agent they can run from a terminal

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

Full write-up: https://theagenticweekly.com/tools/codex-cli · Alternatives: https://theagenticweekly.com/alternatives/codex-cli

## 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
- Developers who want an open-source Apache-2.0 terminal agent they can read and extend

Skip Gemini CLI if:
- You are on a Google AI Pro/Ultra plan or the free individual tier: Google says Gemini CLI stopped serving those requests on June 18, 2026
- You want the best coding experience with the latest Gemini models: the README itself points to Antigravity CLI

Full write-up: https://theagenticweekly.com/tools/gemini-cli · Alternatives: https://theagenticweekly.com/alternatives/gemini-cli

## FAQ

### Is Codex CLI or Gemini CLI better?

Agentic Weekly currently ranks Codex CLI above Gemini CLI in every category both cover (AI coding agents). Pick Gemini CLI when: Organizations on Gemini Code Assist Standard or Enterprise (Google says their access is unchanged).

### Which is better for AI coding agents, Codex CLI or Gemini CLI?

For AI coding agents, Agentic Weekly ranks Codex CLI (#2) above Gemini CLI (#3).

### Have you tested Codex CLI and Gemini CLI?

Codex CLI: Tested (smoke test, 2026-10-25, local Qwen2.5-3B-Instruct, not vendor models); Gemini CLI: Reported (not run by us). We have not benchmarked them against each other. Tested means a small smoke test, not a benchmark.

## Sources

- [GitHub release rust-v0.164.0](https://github.com/openai/codex/releases/tag/rust-v0.164.0) (Codex CLI, fetched 2026-10-25)
- [Codex README (install instructions)](https://github.com/openai/codex) (Codex CLI, fetched 2026-10-25)
- [GitHub release v0.65.0](https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/releases/tag/v0.65.0) (Gemini CLI, fetched 2026-10-25)
- [Gemini CLI README](https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli) (Gemini CLI, fetched 2026-10-25)
- [Google Developers Blog: Transitioning Gemini CLI to Antigravity CLI (May 19, 2026)](https://developers.googleblog.com/an-important-update-transitioning-gemini-cli-to-antigravity-cli) (Gemini CLI, fetched 2026-10-25)

## How to cite

Agentic Weekly, "Codex CLI vs Gemini CLI: which should you use?", last updated 2026-10-26, https://theagenticweekly.com/compare/codex-cli-vs-gemini-cli