Side-by-side comparison
Cursor vs GitHub Copilot
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Which should you choose?
Cursor is an AI code editor built around project-aware agents and reviewable changes. GitHub Copilot is recorded for coding assistance inside an existing GitHub workflow, including agents, code review and issue-to-pull-request work.
Choose Cursor if…
- You want an editor centred on project-aware agents, with code review close by.
- You want a free Hobby start (limited agent requests) and a recorded Pro plan at $20 a month.
Choose GitHub Copilot if…
- You already work in GitHub repositories and want help with issues, pull requests and review.
- You want assistance in your current editor rather than switching to a new one.
Check before you pay: Agent features use usage allowances on both: Cursor limits agent requests by plan, and Copilot's agentic features consume GitHub AI Credits and can add charges. Review every suggested change and test it.
Based on our directory records reviewed 24 October 2026, not on a hands-on test. Confirm current plans with each provider.
Tip: on a small screen, swipe the table sideways.
| What matters | ✏️ Cursor | 🤖 GitHub Copilot |
|---|---|---|
| What it does | AI code editor and coding agent for project-aware changes, task delegation, review, and connected development workflows. | GitHub's AI coding tools for editor assistance, agents, code review, and issue-to-pull-request workflows. |
| Best for | Project-aware coding agents and reviewable code changes | Coding assistance in an existing GitHub development workflow |
| Pricing model | Free plan + paid | Free plan + paid |
| Plans | Free: $0 Plus: US$8/month Premium: US$30/month Super: US$100/month Ultra: US$200/month Teams: From US$30/user/month | Plan details not recorded yet |
| Free-plan limits | Free is $0 with limited agent and chat requests. Plus is $8 a month, Premium $30 (4x Plus usage), Super $100 (15x) and Ultra $200 (50x), with Teams from $30 per user a month and custom Enterprise. Third-party models are billed separately at API list price, and some plans bundle Grok and X features. | Free provides limited chat and agent usage. Paid plans include larger allowances; agentic features consume GitHub AI Credits and can involve additional usage charges. |
| Platforms | macOS, Windows, Linux | Web |
| Key capabilities | Project-aware coding agents Composer Code review CLI Cloud agents on eligible plans | Editor coding assistance Agent mode CLI assistance Cloud agents on eligible plans Code review |
| Strengths | An editor-centered workflow keeps project context and code review close together. | Coding assistance inside a repository can use the nearby implementation and test style. |
| Limitations | Third-party models (Claude, GPT, Gemini) are not available on Free and are billed separately at API list price on paid plans Command permissions and the final patch need review; a disabled button alone may not prevent duplicate server work Plan names changed in October 2026, so older articles listing Hobby, Pro $20 and Pro+ $60 describe legacy plans | Free provides limited chat and agent usage. Paid plans include larger allowances; agentic features consume GitHub AI Credits and can involve additional usage charges. A suggested test can mirror a mistake; define the expected behavior independently. |
| No signup required | Not verified | Not verified |
| No credit card required | Yes | Not verified |
| Free trial | Not verified | Not verified |
| Details last reviewed | 2026-10-29 | 2026-10-06 |
| Official pricing / source | Check pricing | Check pricing |
| Next step |
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