GitHub Copilot
AI coding assistance for programming questions, code suggestions, and GitHub development workflows.
About GitHub Copilot
GitHub Copilot is an AI coding assistant available across the GitHub website, GitHub Mobile, supported IDEs, Windows Terminal, GitHub Desktop, and a command-line interface, with features that vary by environment and plan. Developers can ask coding questions, explain unfamiliar files, request improvement or testing ideas, and receive inline code suggestions in supported editors. It also supports GitHub-centered work such as pull request summaries and generated commit messages. Agentic features can handle more autonomous tasks, although sensitive actions such as running terminal commands or merging a pull request typically require human approval. Individual options include a limited Free plan, a Student plan for verified students, and the paid Pro, Pro+, and Max tiers, which differ in model access and GitHub AI Credits allowances. Business and Enterprise plans add centralized management, policy control, shared credits, and enterprise capabilities; Copilot is not currently available for GitHub Enterprise Server. New self-serve Copilot Business sign-ups for organizations on GitHub Free and GitHub Team have been temporarily paused since April 22, 2026. The product fits developers who want assistance close to code and repository workflows, but the right tier depends on usage limits, model access, supported environments, and organizational administration needs.
Best for
Best use cases
Ask Copilot to explain an unfamiliar repository file, suggest an improvement, and propose ways to test the code.
Use inline suggestions in a supported IDE while writing code, then generate a commit message in GitHub Desktop.
Delegate a bounded task through an agentic feature while retaining approval for terminal commands or pull request merges.
Compare before choosing
Free provides limited access, while paid individual tiers expand model choice, features, request limits, and AI Credits.
Business adds pooled credits, centralized administration, and policy control for supported organizations.
Enterprise includes Business features with a larger credit pool, enterprise capabilities, and priority access to new features.
Features
Coding questions and code explanation
Ask coding questions, explain unfamiliar files, and request practical suggestions for improving or testing code.
Inline coding assistance
Receive autocomplete-style code suggestions while working in supported IDEs, with environment-specific capabilities.
GitHub workflow assistance
Generate pull request summaries and commit messages, or use agentic features for tasks that retain approval gates for sensitive actions.
Pros
- Works across GitHub, supported IDEs, GitHub Mobile, Windows Terminal, GitHub Desktop, and a command-line interface.
- Combines coding questions, inline suggestions, pull request summaries, and commit-message assistance in related development workflows.
- Offers a limited Free plan plus individual, student, organization, and enterprise options for different usage and administration needs.
Cons
- Features and workflows vary by environment and plan, so the same Copilot capability is not available everywhere.
- Model access, request limits, and GitHub AI Credits vary by tier, making plan selection dependent on expected usage.
- Copilot is not currently available for GitHub Enterprise Server, limiting compatibility for organizations on that deployment.
Pricing Plans
GitHub Copilot Free
- Limited access to selected Copilot features
- Models available through automatic model selection only
- For individual developers without organization or enterprise access
GitHub Copilot Student
- Unlimited code completions
- Includes an allowance of GitHub AI Credits
- Limited chat and agent usage with automatic model selection
GitHub Copilot Pro
- Unlimited code completions
- Access to a selection of models
- Copilot cloud agent and a monthly GitHub AI Credits allowance
GitHub Copilot Pro+
- Includes GitHub Copilot Pro features
- Higher monthly GitHub AI Credits allowance
- Access to premium models
GitHub Copilot Max
- Includes GitHub Copilot Pro+ features
- Highest individual monthly GitHub AI Credits allowance
- Priority access to new models and features
GitHub Copilot Business
- Copilot cloud agent and access to a broad model catalog
- Monthly pool of GitHub AI Credits
- Centralized management and Copilot policy control
GitHub Copilot Enterprise
- Includes GitHub Copilot Business features
- Larger monthly pool of GitHub AI Credits
- Enterprise capabilities and priority access to new features
* Pricing information is for reference only. Please refer to the latest announcement on GitHub Copilot's official website.