Veb

Veb vs Codex

Reference archive: this page documents the original Yab browser. Features, platforms and release dates here do not describe the current Veb prototype. Veb release plans →

We make Veb, so read it as our side.facts checked Oct 9 ↓

Veb, Very Expensive Browser, is a free Mac browser that keeps everything from Arc (tabs down the side, spaces, folders, Split View) and gives your Claude or ChatGPT plan an agent that works in your signed-in tabs.

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.

The short answer

Pick Vebours
  • if you miss Arc and want spaces, pins and folders kept, on a Mac
  • 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
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

At a glance

Veb and Codex, side by side.

Veb vs Codex
WhatVebCodex
Made bySerafim KorablevOpenAI
StatusUpdatedUpdated
Runs onMacMac, Windows and Linux
PriceFree; its AI runs on your own Claude or ChatGPT planIncluded in ChatGPT Plus ($20/month), Pro, Business and Enterprise
DrivesVeb itself, a browser on your MacIts own browser in the ChatGPT app, your Mac or PC, and your Chrome, Edge, Brave, Opera or Vivaldi
Your sign-insVeb is the browser you sign in to, so agents work with your sign-ins.Codex’s own browser has a separate profile; its extension works in your signed-in browser.
Works withyab mcp and the yab command, for Claude Code, Codex, Cursor and any MCP clientNo
Open sourceNoNo

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

Veb’s agent works in tabs of its own beside yours, signed in as you, on your Claude or ChatGPT plan; Send, Pay and Delete wait for your yes. 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.

Your sign-insa matter of taste

Veb is the browser you sign in to, so agents work with your sign-ins. Codex’s own browser has a separate profile; its extension works in your signed-in browser.

Which agents can use itVeb leads

Veb works with yab mcp and the yab command, for Claude Code, Codex, Cursor and any MCP client. Codex has no MCP server or command line for other agents.

PriceVeb leads

Veb: Free; its AI runs on your own Claude or ChatGPT plan. Codex: Included in ChatGPT Plus ($20/month), Pro, Business and Enterprise.

Where it runsCodex leads

Veb runs on Mac. Codex runs on Mac, Windows and Linux.

Where Codex is better

Codex comes out ahead on where it runs. It is also the better pick if you:

  • Code in the ChatGPT desktop app and want it to check your web app in its browser
  • Pay for ChatGPT and want tasks done in your signed-in Chrome
  • Want to leave comments right on the page you are building

The catch with each

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

Veb, honestly

  • Mac only for now: macOS 15.4 or later; the iPhone app is in beta, and there is no Windows 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

  • September 25, 2026Veb: First release
  • 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

Questions

Is Veb free?

Yes. Free; its AI runs on your own Claude or ChatGPT plan.

Is Codex free?

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

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

Veb is the browser you sign in to, so agents work with your sign-ins. Codex’s own browser has a separate profile; its extension works in your signed-in browser.

Which runs on Windows, Veb or Codex?

Codex does. Veb runs on Mac.

More comparisons

Codex vs Claude in ChromeCodex vs Playwright MCPChrome DevTools MCP vs CodexBrowser Use vs CodexCodex alternatives
Sources. Read October 9, 2026. Something out of date? Write to hello@serafimlabs.io and we fix it.

Veb, Very Expensive Browser.

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

it’s freeRelease status