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500+ AI Models

Kilo CLI vs Codex CLI

Codex CLI ties you to OpenAI's models and ChatGPT subscriptions. Kilo CLI gives you access to 500+ models—including GPT-5.5—with zero markup and no subscription required.

See Kilo CLI in Action

Best for:

Codex CLI

  • You already pay for ChatGPT Plus/Pro and want included coding features
  • Cloud-based parallel task execution is critical to your workflow
  • You exclusively use OpenAI models and don't need alternatives

Kilo CLI

  • You want freedom to use 500+ models including GPT
  • You prefer no subscription—just pay-per-use API pricing
  • You need local model support for privacy or offline work
  • You want dedicated workflow modes for different development phases

Feature-by-feature comparison

A detailed comparison of model selection, pricing, workflow modes, and platform features.

Models Supported
Codex CLI
OpenAI only (GPT-5.5 default)
KiloKilo CLI
500+ (GPT-5.5, Claude Opus 4.8, Gemini, DeepSeek, local models, and more)
Pricing
Codex CLI
$20-200/month ChatGPT subscription
KiloKilo CLI
Zero markup—pay exact API rates. Already have ChatGPT Plus/Pro? Use your subscription with Kilo!
Open Source
Codex CLI
✅ Yes
KiloKilo CLI
✅ Yes
SOC 2 Compliant
Codex CLI
Via OpenAI
KiloKilo CLI
✅ Yes
Workflow Modes
Codex CLI
Single agent loop + subagents
KiloKilo CLI
5 modes + custom workflows
Local Models
Codex CLI
Any OpenAI/Responses-compatible endpoint (no first-class local UX)
KiloKilo CLI
✅ Supported
IDE Extension
Codex CLI
✅ VS Code and JetBrains
KiloKilo CLI
✅ VS Code and JetBrains
CLI Cloud Execution
Codex CLI
✅ Parallel cloud tasks
KiloKilo CLI
CLI runs locally (Cloud Agents available)

Why Developers Choose Kilo CLI Over Codex CLI

Use Any Model, Not Just OpenAI Models

Codex CLI locks you into OpenAI's ecosystem. Kilo CLI supports 500+ models across every major provider. Use GPT-5.5 when it excels, Claude Opus 4.8 for complex reasoning, or DeepSeek for cost efficiency—all from one tool.

No Subscription Required

Codex CLI requires a ChatGPT Plus ($20/mo) or Pro ($200/mo) subscription. With Kilo CLI, there's no subscription—just bring your API keys and pay exactly what providers charge. Already have a ChatGPT subscription? Use it with Kilo!

Dedicated Workflow Modes

Kilo CLI offers 5 purpose-built modes—Ask, Architect, Code, Debug, and Orchestrator—plus custom workflows designed for different development phases.

Run Local Models

Need privacy or offline access? Kilo CLI has first-class local model support through Ollama, LM Studio, and custom endpoints. Codex CLI is built around OpenAI and its API, with only limited support for other OpenAI-compatible endpoints.

Get Started in Seconds

Install Kilo CLI with a single command

Or use pnpm, yarn, or bun. See documentation for more options.

The CLI is one part of the platform. With Kilo, You Also Get:

Cloud Agents

Access Kilo from the web without a local machine. Run resource-exhaustive tasks in the cloud and sync results back to your local environment.

View Documentation

IDE Extensions

Seamlessly switch between CLI and IDE. VS Code, JetBrains—same agent, same sessions, same context.

View Documentation

Deploy

One-click deployments from within Kilo. Push to production with the same context and workflow you used to build.

View Documentation

Agent Manager

Stop and start agents in one click. Switch contexts easily between different tasks without losing progress.

View Documentation

Sessions

Persistent across all interfaces, resume and share from anywhere. Your context and progress carry seamlessly between IDE, CLI, and Cloud.

View Documentation

Voice Prompting

Speak your prompts naturally. No typing needed—just talk and code.

View Documentation

Code Reviews

Automatic PR reviews with the same models and credits. Inline GitHub comments, configurable review styles.

View Documentation

Try Kilo CLI Today

500+ models. 5 workflow modes + custom workflows. Zero markup pricing. Open source.

Install Kilo CLI
View Documentation