What is GitHub Copilot?
GitHub Copilot is GitHub's AI assistant for developers. It suggests code as you type, answers questions in chat, and in agent mode makes multi-file changes inside your editor.
It plugs into the tools you already use, including VS Code, Visual Studio and JetBrains IDEs, the command line and GitHub itself, where the coding agent can work on an issue and open a pull request for you to review.
GitHub Copilot key features
- 01
Code completions
Inline suggestions as you type, from single lines to whole functions.
- 02
Copilot Chat
Ask about code, errors and docs in your editor or on GitHub.
- 03
Agent mode
Plans and applies multi-file edits in the editor and iterates on errors.
- 04
Coding agent
Assign an issue to Copilot and get a pull request back to review.
- 05
Code review
Request a Copilot review on pull requests to catch problems early.
Is GitHub Copilot right for you?
Best for
- Teams whose code and workflow already live on GitHub
- Developers who want to keep their current editor
- Organisations that need business controls and policy settings
Things to consider
- The Free plan has monthly limits and entry-level models.
- Usage is measured in monthly AI credits, so heavy agent use can cost more.
- Enterprise requires GitHub Enterprise Cloud.
GitHub Copilot pricing
| Plan | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Includes 2,000 completions per month and entry-level models. |
| Pro | $10/month | |
| Pro+ | $39/month | |
| Max | $100/month | |
| Business | $19/user/month | |
| Enterprise | $39/user/month | Requires GitHub Enterprise Cloud. |
Copilot Pro is free for verified teachers and maintainers of popular open source projects.
Checked on 22 Oct 2026 against the official pricing page ↗. Prices can change, so confirm before you buy.
How to get started with GitHub Copilot
- Sign in to GitHub and turn on Copilot Free or choose a paid plan.
- Install the GitHub Copilot extension in your editor and sign in with GitHub.
- Start typing to see completions, then open Copilot Chat to ask about your code.
- Try agent mode on a small task, or assign a well-described issue to the coding agent.
GitHub Copilot alternatives
Cursor
by Anysphere
An AI code editor with built-in agents, chat and tab completion that can edit and run code across your project.
- Free plan available. Paid plans from $8/month; Teams from $30/user/month.
- Checked 22 Oct 2026
Claude Code
by Anthropic
Anthropic's coding agent that works in your terminal, IDE or browser to edit code, run commands and fix bugs across a codebase.
- Not on the Claude Free plan. Included with Claude Pro ($20/month) and above, or pay as you go through the API.
- Checked 22 Oct 2026
OpenAI Codex
by OpenAI
OpenAI's coding agent that writes, reviews and refactors code from a CLI, desktop app, IDE extension or the web.
- Included with ChatGPT plans, including Free (limited). Plus $20/month; Pro from $100/month; also usable with an API key.
- Checked 22 Oct 2026
GitHub Copilot FAQ
Is GitHub Copilot free?
Yes, there is a Free plan with 2,000 completions per month and limited chat. Paid plans start at $10 per month.
Which editors support GitHub Copilot?
Copilot works in VS Code, Visual Studio, JetBrains IDEs and other editors, as well as the GitHub CLI and GitHub.com.
What is the Copilot coding agent?
It is an agent you can assign GitHub issues to. It works on the task in the background and opens a pull request for you to review.