Overview
GitHub Copilot is an AI coding assistant from GitHub. It works as an extension in editors such as VS Code, Visual Studio and JetBrains IDEs, and is also available in the GitHub web interface and CLI.
Developers use it for inline completions, chat about code, and agent workflows such as assigning an issue to Copilot and receiving a pull request. Organizations often choose it because it fits existing GitHub administration and policies.
Key features
- Code completionSuggests lines and blocks of code inline as you type.
- Copilot ChatAnswers questions, explains code and proposes changes in the IDE and on GitHub.
- Agent modeMakes multi-file edits and runs commands inside the editor under user review.
- Coding agentWorks on assigned issues in the background and opens pull requests for review.
- Code reviewCan be requested as a reviewer to leave suggestions on pull requests.
Best for
- Teams already using GitHub who want centrally managed AI assistance
- Developers who want AI help without switching editors
- Enterprises that need policy controls over AI coding tools
Pricing
Freemium. Free tier with monthly limits; paid individual plans and per-seat business plans, with premium model requests metered against allowances.
| Plan | What you get |
|---|---|
| Free | Limited monthly completions and chat requests for individuals. |
| Pro | Individual plan with unlimited completions and a premium request allowance. |
| Business | Per-seat plan with organization policy management and IP indemnity. |
| Enterprise | Adds deeper GitHub.com integration and higher allowances for large organizations. |
Prices and plan limits change often. Check the official website for current pricing. Last reviewed Oct 3, 2026.
Pros & cons
Pros
- Works across many IDEs rather than requiring a specific editor
- Tight integration with GitHub issues, pull requests and admin controls
- Free tier and free access for verified students and popular open source maintainers
Cons
- Premium request limits add complexity to understanding costs
- Feature availability varies between IDEs, with VS Code usually first
- Codebase-wide context can lag dedicated AI-first editors
GitHub Copilot alternatives
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Cursor
AI-first code editor built on VS Code with agentic editing across your codebase.
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ChatGPT
General-purpose AI assistant from OpenAI for writing, analysis, coding and research.
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Claude
AI assistant from Anthropic for writing, analysis, research and software development.
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Try GitHub Copilot
Free tier with monthly limits; paid individual plans and per-seat business plans, with premium model requests metered against allowances.