Comparison
Orbit vs Codex
Codex is OpenAI's cloud-based coding agent — sandboxed VMs, async tasks, parallel agents, and desktop apps. Orbit is a native development environment with 200+ models, subagents, and a skills marketplace — everything runs locally. Different architecture, different tradeoffs.
Cloud-based agents in sandboxed VMs. Parallel agents, async tasks (1-30 min), PR creation. Can work unprompted on issue triage and CI/CD monitoring.
Conversational agent with subagents for parallel work. Interactive — the agent builds with you across editor, browser, terminal, and canvas.
Cloud sandboxes (web) or local (desktop/CLI). Cloud tasks run on OpenAI's infrastructure with worktree isolation.
Local only. Your machine, your files. Code never leaves your computer.
No built-in browser preview. Agents work on code and terminal.
Embedded. Screenshots, navigation, click-to-select, form filling.
GPT-5.4 and GPT-5.4-mini. GPT-5.4 combines coding, reasoning, and native computer use. OpenAI ecosystem only.
200+ models across 20+ providers — Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, AWS, Azure, and more. Claude OAuth or bring your own key.
Included with ChatGPT Plus ($20/mo), Pro ($200/mo), Business ($30/user/mo), Edu, and Enterprise. Tasks take 1-30 minutes.
Free during early access. Claude OAuth or bring your own API key.
Web, macOS, Windows. Linux CLI available.
macOS only (Apple Silicon). Windows and Linux coming.
Where Codex is better
Async workflow. Fire off tasks that run 1-30 minutes and come back to review. Can work unprompted on issue triage and CI/CD monitoring.
Cross-platform. Web, macOS, Windows, Linux CLI. Orbit is macOS only.
OpenAI ecosystem. Included with ChatGPT Plus, Pro, Business, Edu, and Enterprise. No separate subscription.
GitHub integration. Agents create pull requests directly with worktree isolation. Built for team workflows with PR-based review.
GPT-5.4. Combines coding, reasoning, and native computer use in a single model purpose-built for agentic tasks.
Where Orbit is different
200+ models, your choice. Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, AWS, Azure, and 20+ more providers. Codex is locked to GPT-5.4.
Everything stays local. Your code never leaves your machine. Codex cloud tasks run on OpenAI's servers.
The agent sees your running app. Embedded browser with screenshots, navigation, and click-to-select. Plus Canvas for visual design. Codex agents can't preview the result.
Skills Marketplace. 20K+ community skills extend the agent's capabilities. Install and use instantly — no configuration needed.
Built for non-developers too. Founders, PMs, and vibe coders can direct the agent visually. No terminal required.
The honest take
Codex and Orbit represent different philosophies. Codex is built for async, parallel cloud work — fire off tasks and come back to review PRs. Orbit is built for interactive, local development — 200+ models, subagents, a skills marketplace, and a canvas, all running on your machine.
If you want agents that work in the background on cloud VMs while you do other things, Codex is the right tool. If you want the agent to see your running app, choose from any model, and build alongside you across editor, browser, terminal, and canvas — with your code never leaving your machine — try Orbit.
See how Orbit compares
Free during early access
Claude OAuth or bring your own API key. 200+ models across 20+ providers.