What is GitHub Copilot?
GitHub Copilot is an AI assistant built into the GitHub developer platform. It suggests code as you type in your editor and, according to the pricing page, has grown into a set of tools covering code creation, agents that take work from an issue to a merged change, and enterprise add-ons such as Copilot for Business. The homepage of the GitHub Blog centers on articles about AI and machine learning, including a dedicated Copilot section, though the text provided is mostly navigation rather than product details.
In practice, developers use Copilot to generate code from comments and context, get help in their editor, and move work through GitHub's issues, code review, and CI/CD workflows. The pricing text shows Copilot as an add-on on top of a free GitHub plan and a team plan, with an enterprise trial that bundles Copilot with GitHub Enterprise and Advanced Security for 30 days.
Key features
- AI code suggestions in the editor
- Copilot app that directs agents from issue to merge
- Code review management
- Code quality checks at merge
- Integration with GitHub Actions and Codespaces
- MCP Registry for connecting external tools
Who is it for
- software developers
- engineering teams
- enterprises
- startups
Pros and cons
- Built into the GitHub platform where code already lives
- Covers code creation, review, and security in one ecosystem
- Copilot is a paid add-on on top of the free plan, according to the pricing page
- Pricing text on the page is incomplete for Copilot's own plans
GitHub Copilot pricing
| Plan | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Free | 0 USD / month | Unlimited public/private repos, 2,000 CI/CD minutes/month, 500MB Packages storage, community support |
| Team | 4 USD / month | Per user/month; 4 USD per user/month for the first 12 months per the page's footnote; advanced collaboration and Codespaces access |
Prices copied from GitHub Copilot pricing, checked October 12, 2026. Currency as shown by the vendor; taxes may apply.
GitHub Copilot pricing details →
Is GitHub Copilot free?
There is a free trial. Free GitHub plan with basic features; enterprise trial free for 30 days (bundle with Copilot, Enterprise, Advanced Security).
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GitHub Copilot alternatives
| Tool | Price from | Free plan | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
 Cursor | 20 USD/mo | yes | Coding |
 OpenAI Codex | 71 PLN/mo | no | Coding |
 Graphite | 20 USD/mo | trial | Coding |
 Google Antigravity | 30 USD/mo | yes | Coding |
 Zencoder | 40 USD/mo | trial | Coding |
 Greptile | 30 USD/mo | yes | Coding |
All alternatives to GitHub Copilot →
FAQ
What is GitHub Copilot used for?
AI coding assistant inside GitHub that helps developers write, review, and ship code faster.
Is GitHub Copilot free?
There is a free trial. Free GitHub plan with basic features; enterprise trial free for 30 days (bundle with Copilot, Enterprise, Advanced Security).
How much does GitHub Copilot cost?
The cheapest paid plan is 4 USD/mo (vendor pricing, October 12, 2026).
What are the best GitHub Copilot alternatives?
Closest alternatives: Cursor, OpenAI Codex, Graphite, Google Antigravity, Zencoder.
Data checked October 12, 2026 on the vendor website (github.blog).