# OpenAI Codex vs Devin Desktop (formerly Windsurf)

> OpenAI Codex: OpenAI's coding agent that writes, reviews and runs code from terminal, IDE, desktop or cloud
> Devin Desktop (formerly Windsurf): Agent-first IDE for running local and cloud coding agents in one place

- OpenAI Codex profile: https://finderatlas.com/tools/openai-codex
- Devin Desktop (formerly Windsurf) profile: https://finderatlas.com/tools/windsurf
- Comparison page: https://finderatlas.com/compare/openai-codex-vs-windsurf
- Last reviewed: November 2026

## Verdict

OpenAI Codex and Devin Desktop (formerly Windsurf) are both Coding AI tools. Both have a free plan or trial. Only OpenAI Codex is available on Web, CLI and VS Code Extension and offers an API.

### Choose OpenAI Codex if

- You want a tool built for delegating coding tasks to an agent.
- Included with ChatGPT plans, with a free tier and an $8 Go tier.
- Open-source CLI under the Apache-2.0 license.

### Choose Devin Desktop (formerly Windsurf) if

- You want a tool built for managing multiple coding agents.
- Free plan with unlimited Tab completions and inline edits.
- Full IDE that stays compatible with VS Code and Windsurf extensions.

## Pricing

| | OpenAI Codex | Devin Desktop (formerly Windsurf) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Free plan or trial | Yes | Yes |
| Starting price | $0 | $0 |

## Features

| Feature | OpenAI Codex | Devin Desktop (formerly Windsurf) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Codex CLI | Yes | Not listed |
| IDE extension | Yes | Not listed |
| Desktop app | Yes | Not listed |
| Cloud tasks | Yes | Not listed |
| Code review | Yes | Not listed |
| Non-interactive mode | Yes | Not listed |
| MCP, skills and plugins | Yes | Not listed |
| Subagents and web search | Yes | Not listed |
| Session resume and images | Yes | Not listed |
| Mobile remote control | Yes | Not listed |
| Agent Command Center | Not listed | Yes |
| Spaces | Not listed | Yes |
| Full IDE | Not listed | Yes |
| Devin Local | Not listed | Yes |
| Agent Client Protocol support | Not listed | Yes |
| Tab and Supercomplete | Not listed | Yes |
| Fast Context | Not listed | Yes |
| Devin Cloud handoff | Not listed | Yes |
| MCP and extensions | Not listed | Yes |
| SWE-2 model | Not listed | Yes |

## Platforms

| Platform | OpenAI Codex | Devin Desktop (formerly Windsurf) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Web | Yes | No |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | No | No |
| Android | No | No |
| API | Yes | No |
| Browser Extension | No | No |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| CLI | Yes | No |
| VS Code Extension | Yes | No |
| JetBrains Plugin | Yes | Yes |

## OpenAI Codex strengths

- Included with ChatGPT plans, with a free tier and an $8 Go tier
- Open-source CLI under the Apache-2.0 license
- Available in the terminal, VS Code-based editors, the ChatGPT desktop app and the cloud
- Supports MCP, skills, plugins and subagents
- API-key option lets teams pay at API rates instead of a subscription

## OpenAI Codex limitations

- Plus has message limits per five hours that vary widely by model
- Cloud features are not available on the API Key plan
- Higher usage needs Pro, which starts at $100 per month
- Free and Go plans offer only GPT-6 Luna in the desktop app

## Devin Desktop (formerly Windsurf) strengths

- Free plan with unlimited Tab completions and inline edits
- Full IDE that stays compatible with VS Code and Windsurf extensions
- One view for managing local, cloud and third-party agents
- Supports ACP agents such as Codex, Claude Agent and OpenCode
- Available on macOS, Windows and Linux

## Devin Desktop (formerly Windsurf) limitations

- Paid plans have daily and weekly usage quotas, and extra usage is billed at API pricing
- Pro rose to $20 per month, and Max costs $200 per month
- The rename and the move to devin.ai changed menus, docs and branding, and some names such as the JetBrains plugin still say Windsurf
- Cascade was retired in favour of Devin Local, so Cascade workflows had to migrate

## FAQ

**Is OpenAI Codex better than Devin Desktop (formerly Windsurf)?**

It depends on your workflow. OpenAI Codex is built for delegating coding tasks to an agent. Devin Desktop (formerly Windsurf) is built for managing multiple coding agents.

**What are the key feature differences between OpenAI Codex and Devin Desktop (formerly Windsurf)?**

OpenAI Codex: OpenAI's coding agent that writes, reviews and runs code from terminal, IDE, desktop or cloud. Devin Desktop (formerly Windsurf): Agent-first IDE for running local and cloud coding agents in one place.

**Does OpenAI Codex or Devin Desktop (formerly Windsurf) have a free plan?**

Yes, both do. OpenAI Codex is freemium and Devin Desktop (formerly Windsurf) is freemium, and each has a free plan or trial.

**Which is cheaper, OpenAI Codex or Devin Desktop (formerly Windsurf)?**

Both can be used for free. Paid plans differ in limits and features, so compare the tiers in the pricing table above.