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A code editor built around AI, where you can chat with your codebase and let agents make edits.
Freemium🧑💻 Coding Assistant
Free · Pro $20/mo
Head to head
GitHub Copilot vs Windsurf
Our verdict
Honestly? It’s a draw on the 7 things we checked. Your use case should decide.
Money-wise, GitHub Copilot is the friendlier option ($10 vs $15).
- Go with GitHub Copilot if you’re watching the budget and you prefer the crowd favourite.
- Go with Windsurf if you want to build on top of it and you hop between devices.
GitHub Copilot vs Windsurf: side by side
| Criteria | GitHub Copilot | Windsurf |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Starting price | $10 ✓ | $15 |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| User rating | — | — |
| Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| API | No | Yes ✓ |
| Platforms | web, desktop | web, ios, android ✓ |
| Popularity | 93k pts ✓ | 68k pts |
GitHub Copilot features
- ✓ Inline code completions as you type
- ✓ Copilot Chat for questions and explanations
- ✓ Works in VS Code, JetBrains and GitHub
- ✓ Agent features for multi-file changes
Best for
- • Writing boilerplate and repetitive code faster
- • Generating unit tests for existing functions
- • Understanding an unfamiliar codebase
Windsurf features
- ✓ Cascade agent for multi-step coding tasks
- ✓ Context awareness of your recent edits
- ✓ Terminal command execution from the agent
- ✓ Fast inline autocomplete
Best for
- • Building a new feature with an agent step by step
- • Debugging an error with terminal access
- • Exploring an unfamiliar project quickly
FAQ
Should I use GitHub Copilot or Windsurf?+
They’re neck and neck. GitHub Copilot shines for developers who want AI help inside the editor they already use; Windsurf for developers who want an agentic editor at a slightly lower price point.
Is GitHub Copilot cheaper than Windsurf?+
Yes — GitHub Copilot starts at $10, Windsurf at $15.
Do GitHub Copilot and Windsurf have free plans?+
GitHub Copilot: Free tier · Pro $10/mo. Windsurf: Free · Pro $15/mo.
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