Side-by-side comparison
9Router vs opencodex: broad local gateway or Codex-focused proxy?
9Router and opencodex overlap because both can put coding clients in front of alternative providers through a local endpoint. Their centers differ: 9Router presents a broader gateway for multiple CLI/IDE tools; opencodex focuses on Codex and Claude Code protocol translation and client-preserving workflows.
9Router
opencodexQuick answer
Start from the job you need done — the winner is the fit, not the brand.
Choose 9Router if…
Developers who want one local endpoint for Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, Cline, Copilot, OpenCode, and other compatible tools, with provider fallback and a dashboard instead of manual endpoint switching.
Starting point: Free and open source under the MIT license; self-hosted through the npm package or source.
Choose opencodex if…
Codex users who want to test or operate models beyond the native OpenAI route, and developers who want Codex, Claude Code, and related clients to share one locally managed provider and routing layer.
Starting point: Free and open source under the MIT license; install the local proxy from the published npm package or run...
Comparison table
The same fields are shown for both products so the comparison does not quietly favor one side.
| Decision | 9Router | opencodex |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Developers who want one local endpoint for Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, Cline, Copilot, OpenCode, and other compatible tools, with provider fallback and a dashboard instead of manual endpoint switching. | Codex users who want to test or operate models beyond the native OpenAI route, and developers who want Codex, Claude Code, and related clients to share one locally managed provider and routing layer. |
| Core uses | CLI/IDE model routing, provider fallback, quota tracking, token reduction | route Codex to other LLMs, Claude Code provider switching, local provider proxy, model combos and failover |
| Pricing note | Free and open source under the MIT license; self-hosted through the npm package or source. The gateway has no subscription price, but connected providers, accounts, quotas, and their Terms of Service still determine the real cost and availability. Verify live limits before relying on a provider. | Free and open source under the MIT license; install the local proxy from the published npm package or run the source repository. There is no stated hosted subscription in the official project materials. Connected model providers, API keys, OAuth accounts, and any upstream usage charges remain separate. |
| Free plan | Yes — The gateway software is free and open source (MIT) when self-hosted. | Yes — The proxy software is free and open source (MIT) when self-hosted. |
| Main checks | Self-hosted: you install, secure, update, and monitor the gateway yourself. Provider access is not created by 9Router; subscription, OAuth, API-key, regional, quota, and provider-policy limits still apply. The project documents proxy and MITM-style integrations for some IDE subscriptions; review each provider and client policy before using those routes. Provider counts, free-tier availability, token-savings claims, and release behavior can change; the official site and repository should be rechecked before a purchase or rollout. | It is a local proxy, not a model provider or a way to bypass upstream account requirements, quotas, enforcement, or billing. Some routes use OAuth or account credentials and therefore create provider-policy, privacy, and account-security responsibilities; read current provider Terms of Service first. A working setup requires a compatible Codex client, Node.js 18+, the proxy configuration, and at least one provider account, API key, local model, or supported login. Model catalogs, adapters, package versions, and compatibility can change quickly; verify the official docs and run a small real task before adopting it for production work. |
| Pricing source | 9router.com · checked | opencodex.me · checked |
The short answer
Choose 9Router when you need one gateway across many coding tools with provider dashboard, quota visibility, format translation, and tiered fallback.
Choose opencodex when the starting point is Codex or Claude Code and you want to route that client surface to other providers or local endpoints.
Different primary jobs
9Router documents integrations for Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, Cline, Copilot, OpenCode, and other CLI/IDE tools with subscription, cheap, and free provider tiers.
opencodex documents a local proxy for Codex and Claude Code, protocol translation, provider adapters, model catalogs, combos, fallback, and reversible Codex configuration integration.
Compatibility is the deciding field
9Router’s OpenAI-compatible endpoint depends on client configuration and support in the selected route.
opencodex specifically addresses Codex Responses traffic and provider formats, and its docs call out streaming, tool calls, reasoning, and images. Test your exact client and model.
Accounts and policy
Neither tool creates a provider account or makes a subscription universally portable. OAuth, API keys, cookies, account pools, proxying, and routing can create privacy and policy responsibilities.
Use accounts you control, keep credentials out of project files, bind local services intentionally, and read current provider Terms of Service. Technical compatibility is not authorization.
How to choose
Run one disposable repository task natively and through each proxy. Compare reversibility, streaming, tool calls, reasoning, model selection, latency, errors, logs, and client configuration. Pick 9Router for breadth or opencodex for a Codex/Claude Code-centered proxy workflow.
Before choosing a paid plan
Match the workflow first. Check current credits, export limits, cancellation terms and commercial-use rights before purchasing.
9Router
Best for: Developers who want one local endpoint for Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, Cline, Copilot, OpenCode, and other compatible tools, with provider fallback and a dashboard instead of manual endpoint switching.
Pricing: Free and open source under the MIT license; self-hosted through the npm package or source. The gateway has no subscription price, but connected providers, accounts, quotas, and their Terms of Service still determine the real cost and availability. Verify live limits before relying on a provider.
Check before paying: Self-hosted: you install, secure, update, and monitor the gateway yourself. Provider access is not created by 9Router; subscription, OAuth, API-key, regional, quota, and provider-policy limits still apply.
opencodex
Best for: Codex users who want to test or operate models beyond the native OpenAI route, and developers who want Codex, Claude Code, and related clients to share one locally managed provider and routing layer.
Pricing: Free and open source under the MIT license; install the local proxy from the published npm package or run the source repository. There is no stated hosted subscription in the official project materials. Connected model providers, API keys, OAuth accounts, and any upstream usage charges remain separate.
Check before paying: It is a local proxy, not a model provider or a way to bypass upstream account requirements, quotas, enforcement, or billing. Some routes use OAuth or account credentials and therefore create provider-policy, privacy, and account-security responsibilities; read current provider Terms of Service first.
Run it 24/7 on your own server
9Router and opencodex run on your own machine, so it stops answering when your laptop sleeps. A small Linux VPS with Docker keeps it online for scripts, agents and teammates, with a fixed monthly cost instead of per-token markup.
- Start with the smallest plan that runs Docker; upgrade only if you add users or local models.
- Keep the gateway bound to localhost or behind a firewall, and store provider keys as environment variables.
- Monthly billing lets you test before committing to a long term.
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Questions creators ask
- Is opencodex a model provider?
- No. It is a local provider proxy. The connected provider, account, key, quota, billing, model, and policy determine what the request can do.
- Can both tools be used with Codex?
- Both projects document Codex workflows, but setup and supported paths differ. Test the exact Codex version, provider, streaming mode, tool calls, and rollback before adoption.
Continue the decision
Use the source-cited profiles and workflow guide before selecting a paid plan.
Sources
Verify changing features, pricing, and usage rights before purchasing.