What is GitHub Copilot?
GitHub Copilot offers inline code completion, chat and an agent mode across VS Code, JetBrains, Visual Studio and GitHub itself. Its coding agent can be assigned issues and opens pull requests for review. It is the most widely adopted AI coding assistant among professional developers.
Best for: Professional developers, Engineering teams on GitHub.
Key features
- Inline completions
- Copilot Chat
- Agent mode
- Coding agent for issues
- PR summaries
- Multi-model choice
Pros and cons
Pros
- Deep GitHub integration
- Works in almost every popular IDE
- Free tier for individuals
- Enterprise controls and IP indemnity
Cons
- Premium model requests are metered
- Agent features lag dedicated AI IDEs in some workflows
GitHub Copilot pricing
| Pricing model | Free plan |
|---|---|
| Starting price | $10/mo |
| Platforms | VS Code, Web, Mac, Windows, Linux |
| Launched | 2021 |
Prices change often. Check the GitHub Copilot website for current plans.
Our verdict
GitHub Copilot scores 9.3/10 in our review. Its biggest strength: deep GitHub integration. The main drawback: premium model requests are metered. If it isn't the right fit, ChatGPT is the closest alternative.
GitHub Copilot compared
Frequently asked questions
What is GitHub Copilot?
GitHub Copilot offers inline code completion, chat and an agent mode across VS Code, JetBrains, Visual Studio and GitHub itself. Its coding agent can be assigned issues and opens pull requests for review. It is the most widely adopted AI coding assistant among professional developers.
Is GitHub Copilot free?
GitHub Copilot has a free plan with limits; paid plans start at $10/mo.
What are the best GitHub Copilot alternatives?
Popular alternatives include ChatGPT, Cursor, Claude Code, Claude.
Who is GitHub Copilot best for?
GitHub Copilot is best for professional developers, engineering teams on github.