Cursor vs GitHub Copilot: which one to choose in 2026?

Community ratings, features, pricing and free plans: the complete head-to-head between Cursor and GitHub Copilot to find the right tool for your needs.

Screenshot of Cursor
Verified

Cursor

4.7 (493)

Cursor reinvents the code editor by putting AI at the heart of the development experience. Built on top of VS Code, it lets you edit multiple files at once using natural language, chat with your entire project, and hand off complete tasks to autonomous agents. Since version 2.0, its in-house Composer model and multi-agent interface make it possible to run several tasks in parallel.

Code AssistantDeveloper Tools
View detailsOfficial site
Screenshot of GitHub Copilot
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GitHub Copilot

4.5 (566)

A pioneer of AI-powered coding assistance, GitHub Copilot suggests lines, entire functions and tests right inside your editor. Integrated with VS Code, JetBrains IDEs and GitHub itself, it draws on the best models on the market to speed up the daily work of millions of developers. Now a full-fledged agent platform, it can take on entire issues and open pull requests autonomously.

Code AssistantCode Generator
View detailsOfficial site

Comparison table

CriterionCursorGitHub Copilot
Average rating4.74.5
Number of reviews493566
Free planNoYes
PlansHobby, Pro, TeamsFree, Pro, Business
CategoriesCode Assistant, Developer ToolsCode Assistant, Code Generator
Last updatedJuly 8, 2026July 8, 2026

See all tools in these categories: Code Assistant

Our verdict

Cursor or GitHub Copilot?

With an average rating of 4.7/5 (493 reviews), Cursor comes out ahead of GitHub Copilot (4.5/5, 566 reviews) with our community.

Budget-wise, GitHub Copilot offers a free plan to get started, while Cursor does not appear to offer one.

Positioning-wise, Cursor stands out in Developer Tools, while GitHub Copilot focuses on Code Generator.

Features head to head

Cursor

  • Full-featured editor based on VS Code, compatible with your extensions
  • Agent mode that carries out multi-file tasks end to end
  • Composer, an in-house coding model built for speed and agentic tasks
  • Multi-agent interface: up to eight agents running in parallel in isolated workspaces
  • Predictive completion that anticipates your next edits
  • Chat with full project indexing
  • Support for all the leading models on the market

GitHub Copilot

  • Real-time code completion in the editor
  • Context-aware chat that knows your codebase
  • Agent mode capable of handling multi-file tasks
  • Autonomous coding agent that turns issues into pull requests
  • Choice of multiple models (GPT, Claude, Gemini)
  • Copilot CLI and desktop app for managing agents

Pricing compared

Cursor

Hobby

  • Free
  • Limited quota of AI requests
  • Basic completions and chat

Pro

  • $20 per month
  • Extended agent mode usage
  • Access to the most capable models
  • Unlimited completions
  • Pro+ ($60) and Ultra ($200) tiers for heavy usage

Teams

  • $40 per user per month
  • Privacy mode enforced across the whole team
  • Centralized admin and billing

GitHub Copilot

Free

  • Limited access to the main features
  • Monthly allowance of AI credits
  • Automatic model selection

Pro

  • $10 per month, monthly AI credits included
  • Access to agent mode and advanced models
  • Free for verified students
  • Pro+ tier at $39 per month for a larger credit allowance

Business

  • $19 per user per month
  • Centralized license management
  • Code excluded from model training

Prices are indicative and may change — check the official sites for up-to-date pricing.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between Cursor and GitHub Copilot?

Both tools share the Code Assistant space, but Cursor also covers Developer Tools, while GitHub Copilot adds Code Generator.

Cursor or GitHub Copilot: which one is rated higher?

Cursor earns the better average rating: 4.7/5 (493 reviews), versus 4.5/5 (566 reviews) for GitHub Copilot.

Can you use Cursor or GitHub Copilot for free?

Cursor does not offer a free plan as far as we know, and GitHub Copilot offers a free plan.

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