Comparison

OpenDesignAI vs Codex Relay

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

OpenDesignAI

A comprehensive creative studio for mobile devices, integrating 3D modeling, sketching, circuit design, and media editing. It allows users to move from idea to finished project with tools for makers, students, and professionals.

Highlights
  • 3D Modeling and Sculpting
  • 3D Printing and Animation
  • Circuit and PCB Design
  • Sketching and Painting
  • LiDAR Scanning and Photogrammetry
  • Video and Audio Editing
  • Avatar Creation
Features
Read full description

OpenDesign is a complete creative studio on your iPhone and iPad. Instead of juggling separate apps for modeling, drawing, electronics, architecture, media, and learning — you get one workspace built for makers, students, hobbyists, and professionals who want to go from idea to finished project fast. • 3D Design — Model, sculpt, extrude, and refine real geometry with intuitive touch controls and precision tools • 3D Printing & Animation — Prepare models for printing, slice for G-code, rig motion, and bring designs to life • House Plans — Draw floor plans, explore layouts in 3D, and validate designs with built-in architecture tools • Circuit Design — Schematic capture, PCB layout, design rule checks, and fabrication exports • Sketch & Painting — Draw with Apple Pencil on iPad, paint concepts, and turn art into playable arcade games • Motion & Materials — Explore mechanical motion, material behavior, and engineering concepts hands-on • Chemistry — Build molecules, run simulations, and learn STEM concepts visually • Audio Studio — Record, edit, and mix audio in a mobile production workspace • Video Studio — Edit on a timeline, add effects, and share finished clips • Avatar Creation — Build 2D and 3D avatars with live face tracking and animation presets • 2D Arcade Games — Design and play games from your own sketches and sprites CAPTURE THE REAL WORLD Use LiDAR scanning and photogrammetry on supported devices to capture rooms, objects, and environments — then edit, repair, and reuse them inside your projects. Turn scans into meshes, animations, architecture references, or game assets. DESIGN YOUR WAY OpenDesign adapts to how you work. Orbit and zoom through 3D scenes with natural gestures. On iPad, Apple Pencil support gives you tighter control for sketching and precise selection. Switch between project types without losing your library — everything stays organized in one place with folders, search, and sorting. FROM PROTOTYPE TO OUTPUT Export your work in the formats you need — including STL, OBJ, USDZ, GLTF, DAE, STEP, Gerber, PDF, and more with OpenDesign Pro. Share models for AR Quick Look, send files to a 3D printer, export PCB fabrication data, or hand off assets to game engines and other tools. BUILT FOR LEARNING AND BUILDING Teaching tools, calculators, tutorials, and guided workflows are woven throughout — so OpenDesign works whether you are learning fundamentals or shipping a real project. Explore circuits, test mechanical ideas, study chemistry, animate characters, or prototype a product in a single app. OPEN DESIGN PRO Upgrade to unlock unlimited projects, advanced 3D and printing tools, full export access, and premium workspaces including Video Studio, Circuit Design, and Architecture. Subscriptions are managed through your Apple ID and can be canceled anytime. OpenDesign brings modeling, making, media, and STEM together in one open creative environment. Start a project, build something real, and export it — all from the device already in your hands. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Codex Relay

Manage your Codex workflow remotely from your phone. Track active threads, send prompts, review output, and respond to requests. Designed for developers to stay connected to their work without being at their desk.

Highlights
  • Follow Codex conversations remotely
  • Send prompts and follow-up instructions
  • Respond to approval and input requests
  • Attach images for context
  • Review workspace and thread activity
  • Manage relay server state
  • Check usage statistics
Features
Read full description

Codex Relay brings your Codex workflow to your phone. Connect to your local Codex Relay server and keep track of active threads, responses, approvals, and workspace activity without staying at your desk. Send follow-up prompts, review assistant output, attach images for context, and respond when Codex needs input before it can continue. Built for developers who use Codex as part of real work, Codex Relay keeps the mobile experience focused, fast, and close to the terminal workflow. Key features: - Follow Codex conversations from your phone - Send prompts and follow-up instructions - Respond to approval and input requests - Attach images as context - Review workspace and thread activity - Manage connected relay server state - Check usage - Designed for local developer workflows Codex Relay requires a running Codex Relay server on your computer. Start the server with `npx codex-relay@latest`, then connect your device over your local network. GitHub: https://github.com/gronxb/codex-relay Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

OpenDesignAI4 screens
Codex Relay4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: OpenDesignAI at 5.0 against Codex Relay's 4.2. Codex Relay's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4) and ratings volume (57 vs 1). On price, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. OpenDesignAI sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $12.99 per month. Codex Relay asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

OpenDesignAI holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Codex Relay has 57 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

OpenDesignAI ships an update every 3 weeks, Codex Relay every 9 days. Both last shipped on October 31, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
OpenDesignAI versus Codex Relay: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterOpenDesignAICodex Relay
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better4.2 (57 ratings)
Positive reviews—63.2% of reviews
Number of ratings157 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 9 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
Best chart rank—#32 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better16.4
Further details — not scored
Size607 MB118 MB
Age rating12+17+
DeveloperDropDollar, LLCKang Sungyu

Customer experience

OpenDesignAI

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Codex Relay

All ratings56 ratings
Positive78.6%
Neutral3.6%
Negative17.9%
Written reviews19 reviews
Positive63.2%
Neutral0.0%
Negative36.8%

In-app purchases

4 purchases

OpenDesignAI

Subscriptions2
  • OpenDesignMonthly$12.991 Month
  • AnnualSubscriptionOpenDesign$145.991 Year
One-time2
  • OpenToken$9.99
  • Lifetime Unlcok$69.99
None

Codex Relay

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is OpenDesignAI free?
OpenDesignAI is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Codex Relay free?
Codex Relay is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, OpenDesignAI or Codex Relay?
OpenDesignAI is rated higher. OpenDesignAI averages 5.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while Codex Relay averages 4.2 from 57 ratings.
Do OpenDesignAI or Codex Relay have ads?
Neither OpenDesignAI nor Codex Relay shows ads.
Which is updated more often, OpenDesignAI or Codex Relay?
OpenDesignAI ships an update every 3 weeks, and Codex Relay every 9 days. Most recently, OpenDesignAI was updated on October 31, 2026 and Codex Relay on October 31, 2026.

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