Synara vs Codex app

OpenAI's Codex app runs Codex agents in parallel on your desktop. OpenAI's docs now present it as part of the ChatGPT desktop app, where you choose ChatGPT or Codex. Synara is a free, open-source workspace that runs Codex next to Claude Code, Cursor, OpenCode and six more runtimes.

Key differences from Codex app

Agents: the Codex app runs the Codex agent with OpenAI models and can import setup from Claude Code and Cursor. Synara runs Codex with your ChatGPT login and also runs Claude Code, Cursor, OpenCode, Antigravity, Grok Build, Devin CLI, Pi, Oh My Pi and Factory Droid.
Handoffs: Synara can pass a task from Codex to another supported runtime, for a second opinion or the next phase, without leaving the task.
Source: Synara is open source under the MIT license. OpenAI publishes the Codex CLI, SDK and app server as open source, but doesn't list the desktop app among them.
Cloud: the Codex app can also run Codex Cloud tasks. Synara runs on your machine or as a headless server you host.

Side by side

Price: Synara: Free. You keep using the provider plans you already pay for.; Codex app: Included with ChatGPT plans, from Free up; higher plans raise usage limits.
Open source: Synara: Yes, MIT license.; Codex app: The Codex CLI, SDK and app server are open source (Apache-2.0); the desktop app isn't listed among them.
Platforms: Synara: macOS, Windows and Linux desktop apps, plus a headless server package. Synara Remote and native iPhone and iPad apps are coming soon.; Codex app: macOS and Windows, Linux in preview, plus web and mobile.
Coding agents: Synara: Claude Code, Codex, OpenCode, Cursor, Antigravity, Grok Build, Devin CLI, Pi, Oh My Pi, Factory Droid. Supported runtimes can hand a task to each other mid-task.; Codex app: The Codex agent with OpenAI models; custom model providers can be configured.
Parallel work: Synara: Separate tasks, each optionally in its own Git worktree, with split views, a Kanban board and Inbox, native subagents, automations, Hubs and Studio.; Codex app: Parallel threads in Local, Worktree or Cloud, plus subagents and scheduled tasks.
Terminal: Synara: Real terminals in each task's working directory.; Codex app: Integrated terminal per chat.
Browser verification: Synara: Built-in browser with shared agent control, Computer Use for Mac apps (beta) and an iOS Simulator panel on macOS.; Codex app: A built-in browser shared with the agent, a browser extension and Computer Use.
Diffs and pull requests: Synara: Live diffs, commits and pushes, plus a GitHub pull-request workspace with stacked PRs and auto-fix CI.; Codex app: Code review with a pull-request inbox and checks, plus GitHub integration.
Account and data: Synara: No Synara account needed for local use. Workspace history stays on your machine.; Codex app: ChatGPT sign-in or an API key for local work; Codex Cloud needs ChatGPT sign-in.

Choose Synara if

You use Claude Code, Cursor or another agent alongside Codex and want them in one workspace.
You want to hand a task from Codex to another provider for a second opinion.
You want an open-source desktop app around your Codex subscription.

Codex app may suit you better if

You only use Codex and want OpenAI's first-party app.
You want Codex Cloud tasks, or ChatGPT and Codex in the same app.

Questions

Can I use my ChatGPT plan for Codex in Synara?

Yes. Synara runs the Codex runtime signed in on your machine, so your ChatGPT plan's models and limits apply. Synara does not sell model access.

Can Synara run Codex and Claude Code at the same time?

Yes. Each task has its own provider session, terminal, diff and optional Git worktree, so Codex and Claude Code can work on separate tasks in parallel.

Sources

Codex app details were checked against these official pages on November 1, 2026. Both products change quickly, so confirm anything important on OpenAI's site. Synara details come from the Synara feature guide.

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