GitHub Copilot

by GitHub / Microsoft·Visit site

4.7Setuproll editorial score

The most accessible, broadly compatible assistant with a real free tier. Built by GitHub / Microsoft, it is strongest as an AI coding tool. It plugs into your existing editor with a real free tier before the paid plans. Reach for it when you need autocomplete, chat, agent mode.

Specs

ProviderGitHub / Microsoft

AccessPlugin

PricingFreemiumFree tier + Pro $10/mo

Open sourceNo

ContextModel-dependent

Best forBroad editor support and autocomplete

Score4.7Setuproll editorial score

DomainsAI Coding

ReleaseActive, updated 2026

Capabilities

autocompletechatagent mode

Tips from the floor

Reach for GitHub Copilot on autocomplete before anything else.

Give the chat a real task before you judge it.

Wring out the free tier on small jobs before deciding the paid plan is worth it.

Learn GitHub Copilot

Start with the course closest to GitHub Copilot, then work through the tutorials below and the step-by-step how-to guides.

Browse the full academy

Guides for GitHub Copilot·6

VS Code Setup

Beginner7 min

How to Set Up GitHub Copilot in VS Code

Install the GitHub Copilot extension, sign in, and turn on inline code suggestions in a few minutes.

VS Code Setup

Beginner8 min

How to Use Copilot Chat and Inline Chat in VS Code

Ask questions in the Copilot chat sidebar and edit code in place with inline chat and slash commands.

VS Code Setup

Intermediate8 min

How to Run Copilot, Continue, and Cline Together Without Conflicts

Use multiple AI assistants in one VS Code window by stopping their autocomplete features from fighting each other.

VS Code Setup

Beginner8 min

How to Fix AI Suggestions Not Appearing in VS Code

Diagnose and fix common reasons Copilot, Continue, or Cline stop producing suggestions in VS Code.

VS Code Setup

Beginner8 min

How to Set Up an AI Assistant in VS Code

Install an AI coding extension in VS Code, sign in, and tune the settings that make inline suggestions actually helpful.

Local AI

Intermediate12 min

Replace GitHub Copilot With a Local Coding Model (Qwen2.5-Coder + Continue.dev)

Drop the $10–19/month subscription and run your own coding assistant inside VS Code. This is the exact setup: Ollama plus Qwen2.5-Coder for chat and tab-autocomplete through the free Continue.dev extension, with honest notes on what you give up.