Codex vs Z Code: Side-by-Side Comparison 2026

Codex vs Z Code comparison 2026. Side-by-side features, pricing & capabilities.

Codex is an AI agent and a CLI-based coding agent from OpenAI — asynchronous autonomous coding agent. Z Code is an AI IDE from Z.ai (Zhipu AI) — ai-powered code editor from zhipu ai (z.ai).

Codex🏆 Approved

OpenAI's autonomous coding agent. Available via web, desktop app (macOS), CLI (macOS/Linux/Windows), and VS Code extension.

  • ✓ Code completions
  • ✓ AI chat
  • ✓ Agentic mode
  • ✓ Multi-file editing
  • ✓ Terminal commands

Free / $8/mo · 6 plans

Z Code

Desktop code editor from Z.ai (Zhipu AI) powered by GLM models. Integrates multiple AI agents within one interface with codebase understanding, automated code review, and support for external models. Also available as a VS Code extension.

  • ✓ GLM-5 flagship model (77.8% SWE-bench)
  • ✓ 200K token context window
  • ✓ OpenAI-compatible API
  • ✓ Free GLM-4.7-Flash model
  • ✓ Vision capabilities (Pro/Max)

$10/mo · 3 plans

Feature Codex Z Code
Category Agent / CLIAI IDE
Starting Price Free $10/mo
Model Family GPT / CodexGLM
Open Source Yes (CLI)Models are open-weight (MIT for GLM-4.6)

Pricing verified Feb 25, 2026. Codex pricing | Z Code pricing

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Key Differences

  • Category: Codex is an AI agent and a CLI-based coding agent; Z Code is an AI IDE.
  • Free tier: Codex has a free tier; Z Code does not.
  • Starting price: Codex starts at $8/mo; Z Code starts at $10/mo.
  • Model family: Codex uses GPT / Codex; Z Code uses GLM.
  • Open source: Codex: Yes (CLI). Z Code: Models are open-weight (MIT for GLM-4.6).
  • Platforms: Codex runs on Linux, Web, Windows (experimental), macOS; Z Code runs on Windows, macOS.
  • Provider: Codex is built by OpenAI; Z Code is built by Z.ai (Zhipu AI).

Which Should You Choose?

Choose Codex if you want asynchronous coding tasks you can fire off and review when ready. Choose Z Code if you want competitive coding AI starting at $10/mo with free model access. Read our full reviews to see which fits your workflow.

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