Factr-I vs Codex
Factr-I and Codex both let you sign in with ChatGPT, run local models and keep history on your computer. Codex's CLI is open source under Apache-2.0 and it adds an IDE extension and cloud tasks. Factr-I is a fully open-source desktop app under MIT.
Not benchmarked yet. This page compares what each product is, checked against each vendor's own documentation, until it has been run on the same tasks as Factr-I.
At a glance
| Feature | Factr-I | Codex |
|---|---|---|
| Open source | Yes, MIT | The CLI is, under Apache-2.0. The cloud service is not. |
| How you run it | Desktop app for macOS, Windows and Linux. No CLI. | CLI, IDE extension, desktop app and cloud tasks |
| Models | ChatGPT sign-in, API keys for OpenAI and other providers, or your own endpoint | OpenAI models by default, other OpenAI-compatible providers by configuration |
| Local models | Yes, through Ollama or any OpenAI-compatible server | Yes, with --oss through Ollama or LM Studio |
| Price of the tool | Free. You pay your model provider, if any. | Included with ChatGPT plans, including Free with limits, or billed through an API key |
| Where your chats live | On your computer. Nothing is sent to Refactr. | Local history in ~/.codex, which you can turn off. Cloud tasks run on OpenAI servers. |
Where each one leads
Where Factr-I leads
- The whole app is MIT-licensed. Codex open-sources its CLI; its cloud service is not open.
- Built to work with many providers as a first-class choice, not as a custom configuration.
- Learns from your locally stored chats, so it improves the more you use it.
Where Codex leads
- Codex ships a CLI, an IDE extension, a desktop app and cloud tasks. Factr-I is a desktop app only.
- Codex can run tasks in OpenAI-managed cloud containers. Factr-I runs on your computer only.
- Codex is available today. Factr-I is on a waitlist.
Sources: Codex on GitHub, Codex app, Codex pricing, Codex advanced config.
Questions
Can both use my ChatGPT account?
Yes. Factr-I and Codex both support signing in with ChatGPT, and both also take an API key.
Is Codex open source?
The Codex CLI is, under Apache-2.0. Factr-I is open source as a whole under MIT.
Can Codex run local models?
Yes, with the --oss flag through Ollama or LM Studio. Factr-I uses Ollama or any OpenAI-compatible server.
Which one is a desktop app?
Both have one for macOS, Windows and Linux. Codex also has a CLI, IDE extension and cloud tasks.