GitHub Copilot

What is GitHub Copilot?

GitHub Copilot adds AI-powered autocomplete and chat to VS Code, JetBrains, Neovim, and GitHub.com itself. Backed by GitHub's code graph and a choice of underlying models, it focuses on fitting into existing developer workflows rather than replacing them.

Key features

• Inline autocomplete as you type, tuned to your project's style
• Copilot Chat for asking questions about your code without leaving the editor
• Copilot Workspace for planning and executing larger, multi-file tasks
• Pull request summaries and code review suggestions on GitHub.com
• Works across VS Code, Visual Studio, JetBrains IDEs, and Neovim
• Enterprise controls for code retention and model choice

How to get started

1. Install the Copilot extension in your existing editor
2. Sign in with a GitHub account with an active Copilot subscription
3. Start typing to see inline suggestions, or open Copilot Chat for questions
4. Use Workspace for planning larger, multi-step changes
5. Review suggested pull request summaries on GitHub.com

GitHub Copilot pricing

The free tier caps monthly completions and chat requests; Pro removes most limits, and Business and Enterprise layer on org-wide policy controls and code-referencing filters.

Our take: Pro at $10 is an easy call for daily coders. Compare Pro+ against Cursor Ultra before paying for the top tier.

Prices change often. Check the official site above for current rates before you commit.

Use cases

• Speeding up boilerplate and repetitive code
• In-editor explanations of unfamiliar code
• Drafting pull request descriptions automatically
• Multi-step task planning with Copilot Workspace
• Standardizing AI usage across a whole engineering org

GitHub Copilot alternatives

• Cursor: Cursor is a full standalone editor built around AI-assisted coding, not a plugin layered onto an existing one.
• Codex: Codex works from the command line or as an IDE extension, tuned specifically for OpenAI's models.
• Lovable: Lovable goes from a plain-English description straight to a working app, skipping the editor entirely.
• Windsurf: Windsurf is also a standalone AI-first editor, with a different approach to multi-file agentic edits.

FAQ

Is GitHub Copilot free to use?

GitHub Copilot's plans: Free tier, plus paid Pro/Business/Enterprise plans. Pricing and free-tier limits change over time, so check the official site above for the latest details.

What is GitHub Copilot used for?

AI code completion and chat, built directly into GitHub and your editor.

Who is GitHub Copilot best for?

GitHub Copilot is a good fit for speeding up boilerplate and repetitive code, or in-editor explanations of unfamiliar code.

What are the alternatives to GitHub Copilot?

Commonly compared alternatives include Cursor, Codex, and Lovable, see the comparison above for how they differ.

How much does GitHub Copilot cost?

Copilot has a free tier. Pro is about $10 a month, Pro+ about $39 a month, Business around $19 per user, and Enterprise about $39 per user a month. Verified students and open-source maintainers can qualify for Pro at no cost.

What's the best GitHub Copilot alternative?

Cursor is the most commonly recommended swap: cursor is a full standalone editor built around AI-assisted coding, not a plugin layered onto an existing one. Which one is actually best depends on which of those tradeoffs matters more for what you're doing.