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-5.2—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.
Kilo CLIKilo CLIKilo CLIKilo CLIKilo CLIKilo CLIKilo CLIKilo CLIWhy 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-5.2 when it excels, Claude Opus 4.6 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 supports local models through Ollama, LM Studio, and custom endpoints. Codex CLI requires cloud connectivity to OpenAI.
Get Started in Seconds
Install Kilo CLI with a single command
$ npm install -g @kilocode/cliOr 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.
IDE Extensions
Seamlessly switch between CLI and IDE. VS Code, JetBrains—same agent, same sessions, same context.
Deploy
One-click deployments from within Kilo. Push to production with the same context and workflow you used to build.
App Builder
Visual editor to prototype apps. See changes live and iterate quickly. Export to Kilo when you're ready to move beyond visual editing.
Managed Indexing
Semantic search across your repositories for context-aware responses. Build on top of your existing codebase with full understanding.
Agent Manager
Stop and start agents in one click. Switch contexts easily between different tasks without losing progress.
Sessions
Persistent across all interfaces, resume and share from anywhere. Your context and progress carry seamlessly between App Builder, IDE, CLI, and Cloud.
Code Reviews
Automatic PR reviews with the same models and credits. Inline GitHub comments, configurable review styles.
Try Kilo CLI Today
500+ models. 5 workflow modes + custom workflows. Zero markup pricing. Open source.