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Prices checked Oct 19, 2026

Cursor vs GitHub Copilot

Both help you write code with AI. Cursor is built around agents. Copilot is built around suggestions inside the editor you already use.

CursorFree planGitHub CopilotFree, Pro $10/mo

The quick answer

Choose Cursor if…

  • You want several agents working on tasks at once

Choose GitHub Copilot if…

  • You want suggestions beside the code in your current editor
  • You want review and agents on GitHub itself

Either works if your company limits where private code can be sent. For either tool, read the current terms and data policy first. Both can meter heavy agent use, so watch usage in the first month.

Side by side

Starts at

Cursor

Free plan

GitHub Copilot

Free, Pro $10/mo

Plans and prices

Cursor

  • Free plan
  • Paid plans. See Cursor for current prices.

GitHub Copilot

  • Free
  • Pro $10/month
  • Pro+ $39/month
  • Max $100/month

Best for

Cursor

Developers who want an AI-first editor and several agents working at once.

GitHub Copilot

Developers who already live in an editor and want suggestions beside the code.

Strengths

Cursor

  • Parallel agents. Cloud agents can work on several tasks and test their own output.
  • Where it runs. Desktop app and command line, plus Slack and GitHub reviews.
  • Model choice. Lets you pick between several model providers.

GitHub Copilot

  • Completion. Best on boilerplate, tests and patterns that already exist in the file.
  • Agents. Paid plans add a cloud agent and code review that work on GitHub itself.
  • Credits. Chat and agent features use a monthly credit allowance; inline suggestions do not.

Prices were checked on each vendor’s own pricing page on Oct 19, 2026. Plans change often, so confirm on the official site before you pay.

How to choose

  • Do you want several agents working on tasks at once?

    Choose Cursor

    Cursor’s cloud agents can work on several tasks and test their own output. Be ready to review a lot of generated code.

  • Do you want suggestions beside the code in your current editor?

    Choose GitHub Copilot

    Copilot is best on boilerplate, tests and patterns that already exist in the file, inside a repository you understand.

  • Do you want review and agents on GitHub itself?

    Choose GitHub Copilot

    Paid Copilot plans add a cloud agent and code review that work on GitHub. Cursor also offers GitHub reviews.

  • Does your company limit where private code can be sent?

    Either works

    For either tool, read the current terms and data policy first. Both can meter heavy agent use, so watch usage in the first month.

Check before you pay

Cursor

Worth a look first

  • Cursor’s own site now says it is part of SpaceX. Read the current terms and data policy before using it on private code.
  • Third-party model use can cost extra. Check the pricing page for how usage is billed.

GitHub Copilot

Worth a look first

  • Company policy may limit what code you can send to a third party. Check before you enable it.
  • Heavy agent use can run through the monthly credits. Watch usage in the first month.

Read each review

Cursor reviewGitHub Copilot reviewCursor official siteGitHub Copilot official site

This comparison restates each vendor’s own public information. We have not run lab benchmarks, and the better tool for you depends on your work. Placement is not paid for. See our editorial policy.

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