Quick answer
The cheapest plan is the smallest one whose limits you rarely hit. Several start under $20: ChatGPT Go at $8 includes Codex, Cursor's new Plus plan is $8, and Copilot Pro is $10. Claude Code starts at $20 with Pro. Track a normal week before you pick.
Entry prices in October 2026
| Tool | Entry plan | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Codex | ChatGPT Go | $8 a month |
| Cursor | Plus, Grok and Cursor models | $8 a month |
| GitHub Copilot | Pro, 1,500 AI credits | $10 a month |
| Claude Code | Claude Pro | $20 a month |
Sources are the Codex, Cursor, Copilot, and Claude pricing pages.
Why the list price misleads
An $8 plan you outgrow by Tuesday costs more than a $20 plan you never max out, once you add credits or lost time. What matters is how often each plan stops you and what the overflow costs.
Measure a normal week
UsageAtlas tracks Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, Copilot, and 10 more tools on one screen. After a week you know which windows you fill, and that points to the plan.
Questions, answered
What is the cheapest way to use Claude Code?
Claude Pro at $20 a month, or $17 billed yearly. For very light use, an API key can cost less.
Is there a free AI coding agent?
ChatGPT Free includes a small Codex allowance, and Cursor and Antigravity have free tiers. Expect tight limits.
Should I pay for two cheap plans or one bigger one?
Two plans give you somewhere to go when one hits a limit. Track both for a week to see if that beats one bigger plan.