OpenAI Codex vs Windsurf:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, OpenAI Codex had more branded searches than Windsurf among AI coding assistants in New Zealand. OpenAI Codex had about 260 branded searches, while Windsurf had 160. OpenAI Codex made up 2% of all AI coding assistant searches we track, and Windsurf accounted for 1.2%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about AI coding assistants, OpenAI Codex appeared in three of the five answers and Windsurf in two. OpenAI Codex was mentioned before Windsurf in three out of four answers that named either.
Who do people search for more?
OpenAI Codex, about 63% more searches than Windsurf
Who does AI mention more?
OpenAI Codex, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, Windsurf in 2
Who does AI recommend more?
OpenAI Codex, named ahead of Windsurf in 3 of 4 answers
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Top AI coding assistants in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, OpenAI Codex was mentioned in three out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Windsurf was mentioned in two out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. OpenAI Codex was listed before Windsurf in three out of four answers that named either.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Cursor1st
GitHub Copilot2nd
Claude Code3rd- OpenAI Codex4th
Windsurf5th
Replit–
Lovable–
Bolt–
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Claude Code5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- GitHub Copilot5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Cursor5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- OpenAI Codex3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Windsurf2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Replit0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Lovable0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Bolt0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about AI coding assistants
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which AI coding assistant should I use in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best AI coding assistants in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best AI coding assistant in New Zealand for software development?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“ai coding assistant”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“ai pair programming”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 20, 2026.
Is OpenAI Codex or Windsurf more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for OpenAI Codex and Windsurf by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight AI coding assistants we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for OpenAI Codex, Windsurf. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Claude Code | Replit | GitHub Copilot | Cursor | Lovable | Bolt | OpenAI Codex | Windsurf |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 23.3% | 30.6% | 15.9% | 12.3% | 7.3% | 5% | 3.1% | 2.4% |
| Nov 2025 | 25.4% | 33.4% | 14.5% | 13.7% | 6.2% | 3.2% | 1.5% | 2% |
| Dec 2025 | 26.4% | 34.8% | 14.1% | 10.1% | 6.3% | 3% | 3.5% | 1.8% |
| Jan 2026 | 48.3% | 22.7% | 11.8% | 7.3% | 5.2% | 1.9% | 1.6% | 1.2% |
| Feb 2026 | 47.6% | 22.1% | 12.3% | 7.6% | 4% | 1.7% | 3.5% | 1.2% |
| Mar 2026 | 54.5% | 17.2% | 13.3% | 7% | 3.8% | 1.1% | 2.2% | 0.88% |
| Apr 2026 | 51.9% | 16.1% | 17.6% | 6.5% | 4.3% | 0.98% | 1.7% | 0.88% |
| May 2026 | 47.6% | 18.3% | 16.6% | 7.4% | 6.2% | 1.3% | 1.5% | 1% |
| Jun 2026 | 45% | 21.1% | 13.5% | 10% | 5.8% | 1.4% | 1.8% | 1.4% |
| Jul 2026 | 43.8% | 20.4% | 13.6% | 7.8% | 7.6% | 1.7% | 3.9% | 1.2% |
| Aug 2026 | 42.2% | 24.3% | 12.4% | 9.7% | 6.1% | 2.5% | 1.7% | 1.2% |
| Sep 2026 | 40.7% | 28.4% | 12.2% | 7.9% | 5.6% | 2.1% | 2% | 1.2% |
How has the OpenAI Codex and Windsurf comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- The lead changed hands 2 times in the 12 months ending September 2026: Windsurf took it in November 2025, OpenAI Codex took it in December 2025.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, OpenAI Codex’s share of searches among AI coding assistants in New Zealand moved from 3.1% to 2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 390 to 260.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Windsurf’s share of searches among AI coding assistants in New Zealand moved from 2.4% to 1.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 300 to 160.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand AI coding assistants in September 2026?
2 changes
Estimated monthly branded searches for Windsurf in New Zealand fell 46.7% over 12 measured months, from 300 to 160 in September 2026.
Estimated monthly branded searches for OpenAI Codex in New Zealand fell 33.3% over 12 measured months, from 390 to 260 in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
6 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using OpenAI Codex’s and Windsurf’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
OpenAI Codex
1 branded search term
- openai codex
Windsurf
5 branded search terms
- codeium
- windsurf ai
- windsurf coding
- windsurf editor
- windsurf ide
Other head-to-heads among AI coding assistants
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