Yab

Codex vs Claude in Chrome

We make Yab, the third column.facts checked Oct 9 ↓

Codex, in the ChatGPT desktop app, has a browser of its own, computer use, and an extension that works in your signed-in Chrome, Edge, Brave, Opera or Vivaldi, on a ChatGPT plan.

Claude in Chrome is Anthropic’s Chrome extension that lets Claude read, click and type in your own signed-in Chrome, on a paid Claude plan. Claude Code can use it with claude --chrome.

The short answer

Pick Codex
  • if you code in the ChatGPT desktop app and want it to check your web app in its browser
  • if you pay for ChatGPT and want tasks done in your signed-in Chrome
  • if you want to leave comments right on the page you are building
Pick Claude in Chrome
  • if you pay for Claude and want it to work in the Chrome you already use
  • if you test web apps from Claude Code in a real, signed-in browser
  • if you want Claude to repeat browser chores on a schedule
Or Yabours
  • if you already pay for Claude or ChatGPT and want it to work in your signed-in tabs
  • if you want Claude Code, Codex or Cursor to drive a real browser over MCP

At a glance

Codex and Claude in Chrome, with Yab beside them for a Mac.

Codex vs Claude in Chrome
WhatCodexClaude in ChromeYab
Made byOpenAIAnthropicSerafim Korablev
StatusUpdatedUpdatedUpdated
Runs onMac, Windows and LinuxMac, Windows and LinuxMac
PriceIncluded in ChatGPT Plus ($20/month), Pro, Business and EnterpriseNeeds a paid Claude plan: Pro $20/month, Max from $100/month, Team or EnterpriseFree; its AI runs on your own Claude or ChatGPT plan
DrivesIts own browser in the ChatGPT app, your Mac or PC, and your Chrome, Edge, Brave, Opera or VivaldiYour own ChromeYab itself, a browser on your Mac
Your sign-insCodex’s own browser has a separate profile; its extension works in your signed-in browser.Claude in Chrome works in your own signed-in Chrome.Yab is the browser you sign in to, so agents work with your sign-ins.
Works withNoClaude Code (claude --chrome) and Claude’s own appsyab mcp and the yab command, for Claude Code, Codex, Cursor and any MCP client
Open sourceNoNoNo

Checked October 9, 2026 on each maker’s own pages, linked under Sources. Prices are per month, in US dollars.

Where they differ

What separates them, area by area. Where one plainly has more, it says who; where it comes down to taste, it says so.

What it drivesa matter of taste

Codex, in the ChatGPT desktop app, has a browser with its own profile, computer use across your Mac or PC, and an extension for your signed-in Chrome, Edge, Brave, Opera or Vivaldi. Claude reads pages, clicks, types and fills forms in your own Chrome, signed in as you, in tab groups it makes for each task.

Your sign-insa matter of taste

Codex’s own browser has a separate profile; its extension works in your signed-in browser. Claude in Chrome works in your own signed-in Chrome.

Which agents can use itClaude in Chrome leads

Codex has no MCP server or command line for other agents. Claude in Chrome works with Claude Code (claude --chrome) and Claude’s own apps.

Priceeven

Codex: Included in ChatGPT Plus ($20/month), Pro, Business and Enterprise. Claude in Chrome: Needs a paid Claude plan: Pro $20/month, Max from $100/month, Team or Enterprise.

Where it runseven

Both run on Mac, Windows and Linux.

What their pages don’t lead with

Real limits, from the makers’ own words and our own use.

Codex

  • In the desktop app only: not in Codex CLI or the IDE extension
  • Computer use is limited by region and missing on Linux
  • Its own browser uses a separate profile and can’t upload files for you
  • No MCP server for other agents

Claude in Chrome

  • Needs a paid Claude plan, from Pro at $20 a month
  • Chrome only, by Anthropic’s help center, and no phones
  • Stops at sign-in pages and captchas for you to handle
  • Claude Code can’t use it when signed in with an API key, Bedrock, Vertex or Foundry

Yab, honestly

  • Mac only: macOS 15.4 or later, no Windows, iPhone or Android
  • New: first released in September 2026
  • Its AI needs a Claude or ChatGPT plan; ChatGPT’s free plan may work with low limits
  • WebKit, as in Safari: a site tested only in Chrome can misbehave
  • Closed source

What changed lately

  • July 9, 2026Codex: Codex app merged into the ChatGPT desktop app
  • May 7, 2026Codex: Codex Chrome extension launched for macOS and Windows
  • April 16, 2026Codex: Codex got Computer Use on macOS and an in-app browser
  • December 18, 2025Claude in Chrome: Beta opened to all paid plans (Pro, Max, Team, Enterprise)
  • November 24, 2025Claude in Chrome: Beta opened to all Max subscribers, with scheduled tasks
  • August 26, 2025Claude in Chrome: Launched as a research preview for 1,000 Max plan users

Questions

Is Codex free?

Included in ChatGPT Plus ($20/month), Pro, Business and Enterprise.

Is Claude in Chrome free?

No. Needs a paid Claude plan: Pro $20/month, Max from $100/month, Team or Enterprise.

Which one works in my signed-in browser, Codex or Claude in Chrome?

Codex’s own browser has a separate profile; its extension works in your signed-in browser. Claude in Chrome works in your own signed-in Chrome.

Do Codex and Claude in Chrome run on Windows?

Yes, both. Codex runs on Mac, Windows and Linux; Claude in Chrome on Mac, Windows and Linux.

Is there a third option on a Mac?

Yab, Yet Another Browser, is a free Mac browser that Claude Code, Codex and any MCP client can drive through yab mcp, in your own signed-in profile, with Send, Pay and Delete held for your yes. It has an agent of its own too, on your Claude or ChatGPT plan. It is Mac only, and new.

More comparisons

Codex vs Playwright MCPChrome DevTools MCP vs CodexBrowser Use vs CodexCodex alternativesYab vs CodexPlaywright MCP vs Claude in ChromeChrome DevTools MCP vs Claude in ChromeBrowser Use vs Claude in ChromeClaude in Chrome alternativesYab vs Claude in Chrome
Sources, read October 9, 2026. Something out of date? Write to hello@serafimlabs.io and we fix it.

Yab, Yet Another Browser.

Free for the Mac. Arc’s sidebar, your own Claude or ChatGPT as the agent, Chrome extensions on WebKit.

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