Coding assistants · 2 tools compared
Last verified:
Prices may changeStart without changing setup
GitHub Copilot ◐Free plan
Just install an extension in your current editor, and it is free for students. No need to change your workflow.
Editing multiple files at once
Cursor ◐Free plan
Edits related files together based on the entire project context. Great for exploring unfamiliar codebases.
Without spending money
GitHub Copilot ◐Free plan
Students and teachers get paid features free with school verification. Without it, free limits run out fast.
Strict company policies
GitHub Copilot ◐Free plan
Enterprise plans include code leak prevention settings, and keeping your current editor lowers adoption friction.
| Item | GitHub Copilot | Cursor |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ◐Free plan | ◐Free plan |
| Free limits | Limit of 2,000 completions and 50 chats per month | Limited monthly requests on the Hobby plan |
| Paid price | Pro is $10/month, higher plans offer increased usage limits | Pro is $20/month, higher tiers provide more usage |
| Student / edu discount | Free for students, teachers, and popular open-source maintainers | No |
| Korean | ○KoreanResponds when asked in Korean. You can also write code comments in Korean. | ○KoreanUnderstands instructions given in Korean. Most of the UI and menus are in English. |
| Platforms | Web · Windows · macOS · Linux · Browser extension | Windows · macOS · Linux |
| Commercial use | AllowedCommercial use is permitted. Enterprise plans offer dedicated settings to prevent code leaks. | AllowedCommercial use is permitted. Privacy Mode prevents your code from being stored on servers. |
| Installation format | Installed as an extension in your current editor | Installed as a standalone replacement editor |
| Editing scope per prompt | From a single line to a single function | Modifications across multiple files |
| Student benefits | Free for students and teachers | Had a free student promotion |
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Keep your current setup effortlessly. Just add the extension to VS Code or JetBrains. Free for verified students and teachers, with enterprise leak-prevention settings. The free tier caps at 2,000 completions and 50 chats monthly, and multi-file editing is less seamless than Cursor.
Requires a dedicated editor, but answers based on the entire project context. It suggests changes across multiple files and helps you quickly grasp new codebases. It looks like VS Code for easy migration, though free requests run out fast and company policies might restrict new editors.
Can you switch your editor? That is the first decision. If company rules or habits keep you in your current editor, Copilot is the way to go. If you can switch, Cursor excels at multi-file edits. Copilot is free for students and teachers; otherwise, both cost around $10–$20/month. Check data privacy settings for work code, and always verify generated code with tests.
| Situation | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 🌱 Start without changing setup | GitHub Copilot | Just install an extension in your current editor, and it is free for students. No need to change your workflow. |
| 💼 Editing multiple files at once | Cursor | Edits related files together based on the entire project context. Great for exploring unfamiliar codebases. |
| 🎒 Without spending money | GitHub Copilot | Students and teachers get paid features free with school verification. Without it, free limits run out fast. |
| 👥 Strict company policies | GitHub Copilot | Enterprise plans include code leak prevention settings, and keeping your current editor lowers adoption friction. |
Not a ranking. Different situations, different answers.
Last verified:
Prices may change; confirm on each official site before paying. A comparison's verified date is the oldest of the comparison and its tools.
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