Codex CLI vs Perplexity
A detailed comparison to help you choose the right AI tool for your needs.
Our Pick
Codex CLI
Codex CLI edges out Perplexity AI with superior overall performance and features that make it the better choice for most users.
Try Codex CLIFeature Comparison
Feature
Codex CLI
Perplexity
Ratings
Overall Rating
4.7
4.6
Coding
4.7
3.5
Writing
4.3
4.2
Reasoning
4.5
4.4
Speed
4.6
4.8
Value
4.8
4.7
Pricing
Monthly Price
$20
$20
Free Tier
Input (per 1M tokens)
$2.5
-
Output (per 1M tokens)
$10
-
Features
Context Window
128K
128K
Vision/Images
Audio
Video
Code Generation
AI Agents
Codex CLI
Pros
- Open source (Apache 2.0)
- Multimodal input support
- Local-first privacy
- Rich approvals workflow
- Included with ChatGPT subscription
Cons
- Newer tool with evolving features
- Less mature than Claude Code
Perplexity AI
Pros
- Real-time web access
- Cites all sources
- Great for research
- Fast responses
- Generous free tier
Cons
- Not as capable for coding
- Writing not as polished
- Limited context for complex tasks
Choose Codex CLI if you need:
Rapid prototyping, open-source flexibility, ChatGPT users
Choose Perplexity if you need:
Research, fact-checking, current events
Ready to get started?
Both tools offer free tiers or trials. Try them out and see which one works best for your workflow.