Complete guide to API costs, GitHub Copilot plans & whether Codex is worth it for you.
As the world continues its AI-driven transformation, developers and businesses are increasingly turning to powerful tools like OpenAI Codex—the engine behind GitHub Copilot—for code generation, automation, and AI-assisted programming. If you’re considering integrating OpenAI Codex into your workflow, you’re probably wondering: “What does OpenAI Codex cost?” Let’s break it down.
What is OpenAI Codex?
OpenAI Codex is an AI model trained to understand and generate code in over a dozen programming languages. It powers intelligent tools like GitHub Copilot and can convert natural language prompts into working code snippets, debug existing code, or suggest optimized functions.
It supports languages like Python, JavaScript, TypeScript, Ruby, Go, PHP, and more.
OpenAI Codex Pricing (2025)
OpenAI offers Codex access via its API, with pricing structured based on tokens (chunks of text processed by the model). Here’s a breakdown of current Codex pricing on the pay-as-you-go model:
| Model | Pricing (per 1,000 tokens) | Ideal For |
|---|---|---|
code-cushman-001 (Lightweight model) | $0.10 | Fast, lightweight coding tasks |
code-davinci-002 (Advanced model) | $0.20 | Heavy-duty, complex code generation |
1,000 tokens ≈ 750 words or ~100–150 lines of code
This pricing makes Codex highly affordable for startups, developers, and enterprises alike.
Note: Actual costs vary based on usage, monthly volume, and model type.
Codex with GitHub Copilot – Subscription Pricing
If you’re using GitHub Copilot, which is powered by OpenAI Codex, here’s what you’ll pay:
- Copilot Individual – $10/month or $100/year
- Copilot for Business – $19/month per user
- Copilot X (experimental) – Pricing TBD as it’s under rollout/testing
These prices include editor integration, real-time suggestions, and secure access to Codex’s coding capabilities.
Is OpenAI Codex Free?
You can access OpenAI Codex via the OpenAI Playground with free trial credits. However, for ongoing use, a paid API plan or GitHub Copilot subscription is required.
Good news: Students and verified open-source contributors may qualify for free GitHub Copilot access.
Why Codex is Worth the Price in 2025
- Boosts coding productivity by 30–50%
- Understands natural language for easy code generation
- Backed by OpenAI security standards
- Supports enterprise-scale automation
- Integrates with VS Code, JetBrains, and more
Who Should Use OpenAI Codex?
- Software Developers looking to speed up coding
- Startups building rapid MVPs
- Tech Enterprises aiming to automate internal tools
- Educators & Students for code learning and debugging
- No-code/low-code users seeking coding superpowers
Where to Get Started
You can start using OpenAI Codex by signing up at:
Make sure to check the pricing pages for the latest rates and terms.
Final Thoughts: Is Codex Worth Paying For?
Absolutely! Whether you’re writing scripts in Python or developing web apps in JavaScript, Codex saves time, reduces bugs, and unlocks a new level of developer productivity. For the price of a couple of coffees per month, you gain a coding partner that never sleeps.
FAQs
How much does OpenAI Codex cost per month?
Codex pricing depends on your usage. A moderate developer might spend $5–$20/month, but heavy enterprise users may pay more.
Can I use OpenAI Codex for free?
Yes, OpenAI provides free API credits for new users. GitHub Copilot also offers free access for students.
Is Codex part of ChatGPT?
Not directly. Codex powers code-specific tools like Copilot. ChatGPT, however, now includes code generation features via GPT-4.
