Devin Desktop vs OpenAI Codex CLI — Coding & Development AI tool comparison
OpenAI Codex CLI edges out Devin Desktop for Coding & Development.
Verdict
According to AI Tier List, OpenAI Codex CLI (Tier S) ranks higher than Devin Desktop (Tier A) for Coding & Development. CLI coding tool included with ChatGPT Plus
Tiers are not for sale. How we rank →
Specification comparison
| Attribute | Devin Desktop | OpenAI Codex CLI |
|---|---|---|
| Tier | Tier A | Tier S |
| Rating | 4 / 5 | 5 / 5 |
| Pricing | Freemium | Freemium |
| Category | Coding & Development | Coding & Development |
| Best For | ide, agentic-ai, full-stack, development, code-generation | CLI, Agentic, Async, Cloud Agent |
Devin Desktop vs OpenAI Codex CLI: which should you choose?
Choose Devin Desktop if…
Devin Desktop is an AI software engineer that autonomously performs coding tasks within a developer's local environment.
- Your priority is ide, agentic-ai, full-stack, development, code-generation — attributes OpenAI Codex CLI is not tagged with.
Choose OpenAI Codex CLI if…
CLI coding tool included with ChatGPT Plus
- You want the higher-rated option — Tier S on AI Tier List, above Devin Desktop at Tier A.
- Your priority is CLI, Agentic, Async, Cloud Agent — attributes Devin Desktop is not tagged with.
What Devin Desktop and OpenAI Codex CLI actually do
Devin Desktop
Devin Desktop runs directly on the user's local machine to manage complex coding projects and resolve technical issues. It allows developers to offload repetitive tasks, enabling them to focus on high-level design and architectural decisions.
OpenAI Codex CLI
OpenAI Codex CLI comes included with ChatGPT Plus ($20/month) for great value. GPT-5.1-Codex achieves 77% on SWE-bench at ~50% lower cost per token vs Claude. Supports cloud agent mode.
Why Devin Desktop is Tier A and OpenAI Codex CLI is Tier S
Tier ADevin Desktop
Successfully rebranded Windsurf into Devin Desktop, strengthening its market presence. By integrating advanced models like Claude Opus 5 and leveraging the ACP protocol, it provides coding automation performance on par with Cursor, maintaining its position at the top of the developer tools market.
Tier SOpenAI Codex CLI
With the integration of the GPT-5.6 model and a high-performance Rust-based architecture, it maintains top-tier performance in the terminal coding agent market. It remains highly competitive by offering superior integration with the OpenAI ecosystem and innovative features like real-time voice sessions compared to its rivals.
Devin Desktop vs OpenAI Codex CLI: strengths and weaknesses
Devin Desktop — Strengths
Agent Client Protocol (ACP) support, Integration of latest AI models (Claude Opus 5), Local development environment optimization, Autonomous problem-solving, Intuitive workflow
Devin Desktop — Weaknesses
High subscription costs, Complex pricing structure, System resource consumption
OpenAI Codex CLI — Strengths
GPT-5.6 model support, fast local execution via Rust, WebRTC real-time voice sessions, MCP resource reading support, seamless workflow integration with ChatGPT Plus
OpenAI Codex CLI — Weaknesses
High dependency on the OpenAI ecosystem, lack of general-purpose flexibility compared to Claude Code, opaque enterprise pricing structure
Recent changes to Devin Desktop and OpenAI Codex CLI
Devin DesktopAug 2026
Completed rebranding from Windsurf to Devin Desktop, Integrated Claude Opus 5 model, Improved remote server startup time, Fixed Windows certificate and symlink issues
OpenAI Codex CLIAug 2026
Set GPT-5.6 as default model, updated to v0.146.0, enabled WebRTC-based real-time voice sessions, enhanced MCP resource reading capabilities
Keep exploring Coding & Development
Alternatives to these tools
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FAQ
Which is better, Devin Desktop or OpenAI Codex CLI?
According to AI Tier List, OpenAI Codex CLI (Tier S) ranks higher than Devin Desktop (Tier A) for Coding & Development. CLI coding tool included with ChatGPT Plus
How much do Devin Desktop and OpenAI Codex CLI cost?
Devin Desktop is freemium, while OpenAI Codex CLI is freemium.
What is the difference between Devin Desktop and OpenAI Codex CLI?
Devin Desktop — Devin Desktop is an AI software engineer that autonomously performs coding tasks within a developer's local environment.. OpenAI Codex CLI — CLI coding tool included with ChatGPT Plus. Where Devin Desktop falls short: High subscription costs, Complex pricing structure, System resource consumption. Where OpenAI Codex CLI falls short: High dependency on the OpenAI ecosystem, lack of general-purpose flexibility compared to Claude Code, opaque enterprise pricing structure.
Is Devin Desktop still worth it in 2026?
Right now Devin Desktop is rated Tier A for Coding & Development. Successfully rebranded Windsurf into Devin Desktop, strengthening its market presence. By integrating advanced models like Claude Opus 5 and leveraging the ACP protocol, it provides coding automation performance on par with Cursor, maintaining its position at the top of the developer tools market. (last re-rated 2026-08-09)
Is OpenAI Codex CLI still worth it in 2026?
Right now OpenAI Codex CLI is rated Tier S for Coding & Development. With the integration of the GPT-5.6 model and a high-performance Rust-based architecture, it maintains top-tier performance in the terminal coding agent market. It remains highly competitive by offering superior integration with the OpenAI ecosystem and innovative features like real-time voice sessions compared to its rivals. (last re-rated 2026-08-09)