GitHub Copilot

Key facts: GitHub Copilot is the AI pair programmer built by GitHub and OpenAI, living inside editors such as VS Code, Visual Studio and JetBrains. It suggests code as you type, answers questions about your codebase in chat, and — in agent mode — can carry out multi-step coding tasks, run tests and open pull requests.

Plans: Copilot has a free plan for individuals with monthly usage limits, and paid Pro and Business plans that raise those limits and add organisation controls. Students, teachers and open-source maintainers have historically qualified for free access — check the official page for current eligibility.

Best for: developers who already work in a GitHub-centred workflow and want AI assistance without leaving their editor. Watch out: Copilot writes code confidently, including code with bugs — review everything it produces, and check licensing terms for your project.

Pros

• Suggests code as you type inside editors such as VS Code, Visual Studio and JetBrains.
• Answers questions about your codebase in chat, and agent mode can carry out multi-step coding tasks, run tests and open pull requests.
• Fits naturally into a GitHub-centred workflow without leaving the editor.

Watch out for

• Copilot writes code confidently, including code with bugs. Review everything it produces.
• Check licensing terms for your project before accepting large suggested blocks.
• The free plan has monthly usage limits, so heavy users need a paid plan.

Best for

Best for: developers who already work in a GitHub-centred workflow and want AI assistance without leaving their editor. Who should skip it: non-developers, or teams that do not use GitHub-centred tooling.

Pricing

Copilot has a free plan for individuals with monthly usage limits, and paid Pro and Business plans that raise those limits and add organisation controls. Students, teachers and open-source maintainers have historically qualified for free access. Check the official page for current eligibility and prices.

FAQs

Where does Copilot work? Inside editors such as VS Code, Visual Studio and JetBrains.

What is agent mode? A mode that carries out multi-step coding tasks, runs tests and can open pull requests.

Is there a free plan? Yes, for individuals with monthly usage limits.

Can students get it free? Students, teachers and open-source maintainers have historically qualified for free access. Check the official page for current eligibility.