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AI code completion and generation inside your editor
Last updated: May 2026
GitHub Copilot has become the standard AI tool for software development. It operates directly inside your code editor, suggesting completions as you type based on the context of your current file and project. For repetitive coding tasks — writing boilerplate, generating test cases, implementing well-known algorithms — Copilot saves significant time. The chat interface lets you ask questions about your codebase, request explanations of unfamiliar code, and generate entire functions from natural language descriptions. For developers who spend a significant portion of their day writing code, the $10 per month investment is typically recovered in time savings within the first week. The integration with GitHub also means it understands the context of your entire repository, not just the current file.
GitHub Copilot is free for verified students and active open source maintainers. Individual plans cost $10 per month or $100 per year. Business plans are $19 per user per month.
Copilot supports all major programming languages including Python, JavaScript, TypeScript, Ruby, Go, Java, C++, C#, PHP, Rust, and Swift among many others. It works best with the most popular languages.
Copilot integrates as an extension in VS Code. As you type code, it analyses the context of your file and project and offers inline suggestions you can accept with Tab or dismiss with Escape. The chat interface lets you ask questions about your code directly.
Copilot suggestions should always be reviewed before use. Copilot can introduce subtle bugs or security vulnerabilities. GitHub has introduced a feature to filter suggestions that match public code to reduce licensing concerns.
Copilot is better for in-editor real-time code completion and understanding your project context. ChatGPT is better for generating complete functions from descriptions, debugging explanations, and code review outside of your editor.