CursorvsGitHub Copilot
Two coding tools, the same questions. Every answer comes from the official pages, with the date we checked. Nothing here is ranked.
last check 2026-10-10
Cursor
by Anysphere
Cursor is an AI code editor and coding agent from Anysphere that runs as a desktop app, a command-line tool and cloud agents; a beginner might try it to get code suggestions while typing or to ask an agent to explain and change a project.
Good for: Coding
All Cursor factsGitHub Copilot
by GitHub
GitHub Copilot is GitHub's AI coding assistant for code editors, the command line, GitHub.com, GitHub Mobile and a desktop app; a beginner might try it for code suggestions while typing and for asking questions about a repository.
Good for: Coding
All GitHub Copilot factsWhere they differ
- AI modelsCursor: Composer 2.5, Grok 4.7, Claude Sonnet 5.5, Claude Opus 5.5, GPT-5.6 Sol, GPT-5.6 Terra, Gemini 3.1 Pro, Gemini 3.8 FlashGitHub Copilot: GPT-6.1 Sol, GPT-6 Luna, GPT-5.3-Codex, Claude Opus 5.5, Claude Sonnet 5.5, Claude Haiku 5.5, Gemini 3.8 Flash, Grok 4.7
- Code completionCursor: Supported, LimitedGitHub Copilot: Limited, Supported
- How it runsCursor: Desktop editor, CLI, Cloud agentGitHub Copilot: IDE extension, CLI, Desktop app, Cloud agent
- PlatformsCursor: Desktop app, Web, Mobile app, Editor extensionGitHub Copilot: Editor extension, Web, Mobile app, Desktop app
- AccountCursor: Cursor account required (free sign-up available)GitHub Copilot: GitHub account required
- Where it is availableCursor: Some third-party models may be unavailable in certain regions because of model-provider location restrictions; other models keep working, iOS app available in all App Store regions except mainland ChinaGitHub Copilot: Not sold or exported to embargoed destinations listed on GitHub's trade-controls page (currently Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, Belarus and certain regions of Ukraine)
Same answer for both: free plan, repository context.
Plans and prices
As listed on each official pricing page, in the currency we were shown. No conversion, no rounding.
Cursor
- Hobby Free plan$0.00 / month
- Pro Paid, individual$20.00 / month, plus tax
- Pro+ Paid, individual$60.00 / month, plus tax
- Ultra Paid, individual$200.00 / month, plus tax
- Teams (Standard seat) Team$40.00 / month, plus tax
GitHub Copilot
- Copilot Free Free plan$0.00 / month
- Copilot Pro Paid, individual$10.00 / month
- Copilot Pro+ Paid, individual$39.00 / month
- Copilot Max Paid, individual$100.00 / month
- Copilot Business Team$19.00 / month
Full comparison with sources
| Coding | ||
| What it is for | ||
| What it is for | Cursor is an AI code editor and coding agent from Anysphere that runs as a desktop app, a command-line tool and cloud agents; a beginner might try it to get code suggestions while typing or to ask an agent to explain and change a project. | GitHub Copilot is GitHub's AI coding assistant for code editors, the command line, GitHub.com, GitHub Mobile and a desktop app; a beginner might try it for code suggestions while typing and for asking questions about a repository. |
| Good for | ||
| Editor's suggestion |
|
|
| Cost | ||
| Free planA free plan that is not time-limited. Trials are listed separately. |
|
|
| Plans and pricesOriginal currency and billing period. No conversion. |
|
|
| AI models | ||
| AI modelsThe AI models the official pages name for this product. Line-ups change often, so check the date. |
|
|
| Workflow | ||
| Code completionSuggests code as you type. |
|
|
| Repository contextCan read across your project, not only the open file. |
|
|
| How it runsWhere you use it, for example a desktop editor, a command line, or a cloud agent. |
|
|
| PlatformsWhere the product is offered: web, desktop app, mobile app, or editor extension. |
|
|
| Requirements | ||
| AccountWhether you need to sign up before using it. |
|
|
| Where it is availableCountries or regions where the provider says it can be used. |
|
|
| Sources and confidence | ||
| Confidence | Last checked 2026-10-10 All compared fields have a confirmed value. | Last checked 2026-10-10 All compared fields have a confirmed value. |
What it is for
What it is for
Cursor:
Cursor is an AI code editor and coding agent from Anysphere that runs as a desktop app, a command-line tool and cloud agents; a beginner might try it to get code suggestions while typing or to ask an agent to explain and change a project.
GitHub Copilot:
GitHub Copilot is GitHub's AI coding assistant for code editors, the command line, GitHub.com, GitHub Mobile and a desktop app; a beginner might try it for code suggestions while typing and for asking questions about a repository.
Editor's suggestion
Cursor:
- Editor's suggestion: Try it while writing small functions, and read every suggestion before accepting it.
- Editor's suggestion: Ask it to explain how an unfamiliar project is organised before you change anything.
GitHub Copilot:
- Editor's suggestion: Try it while writing small functions, and read every suggestion before accepting it.
- Editor's suggestion: Ask it to explain how an unfamiliar project is organised before you change anything.
Cost
Free plan
A free plan that is not time-limited. Trials are listed separately.
Cursor:
- Supportedcursor.comchecked 2026-10-10
Hobby plan
GitHub Copilot:
- Supportedgithub.comchecked 2026-10-10
Copilot Free plan
Plans and prices
Cursor:
- Hobby (Free plan)$0.00 / month
- Pro (Paid, individual)$20.00 / month, plus tax
- Pro+ (Paid, individual)$60.00 / month, plus tax
- Ultra (Paid, individual)$200.00 / month, plus tax
- Teams (Standard seat) (Team)$40.00 / month, plus tax
- All plan details and sources
GitHub Copilot:
- Copilot Free (Free plan)$0.00 / month
- Copilot Pro (Paid, individual)$10.00 / month
- Copilot Pro+ (Paid, individual)$39.00 / month
- Copilot Max (Paid, individual)$100.00 / month
- Copilot Business (Team)$19.00 / month
- All plan details and sources
AI models
AI models
The AI models the official pages name for this product. Line-ups change often, so check the date.
Cursor:
- Composer 2.5, Grok 4.7, Claude Sonnet 5.5, Claude Opus 5.5, GPT-5.6 Sol, GPT-5.6 Terra, Gemini 3.1 Pro, Gemini 3.8 Flashcursor.com +8checked 2026-10-10
GitHub Copilot:
- GPT-6.1 Sol, GPT-6 Luna, GPT-5.3-Codex, Claude Opus 5.5, Claude Sonnet 5.5, Claude Haiku 5.5, Gemini 3.8 Flash, Grok 4.7docs.github.com +1checked 2026-10-10
Workflow
Code completion
Suggests code as you type.
Cursor:
- Supportedcursor.comchecked 2026-10-10
Plans: Pro, Pro+, Ultra
- Limitedcursor.comchecked 2026-10-10
Hobby plan
Hobby (free) plan: Tab completions are included with limited usage.
GitHub Copilot:
- Limiteddocs.github.comchecked 2026-10-10
Copilot Free plan
Copilot Free: up to 2,000 code completions per month.
- Supporteddocs.github.comchecked 2026-10-10
Plans: Copilot Pro, Copilot Pro+, Copilot Max, Copilot Business
Repository context
Can read across your project, not only the open file.
Cursor:
- Supportedcursor.comchecked 2026-10-10
Plan not specified
GitHub Copilot:
- Supporteddocs.github.comchecked 2026-10-10
Plan not specified
How it runs
Where you use it, for example a desktop editor, a command line, or a cloud agent.
Cursor:
- Desktop editorcursor.comchecked 2026-10-10
On: Desktop app
- CLI, Cloud agentcursor.com +1checked 2026-10-10
GitHub Copilot:
- IDE extensiongithub.comchecked 2026-10-10
On: Editor extension
- CLI, Desktop appdocs.github.comchecked 2026-10-10
All current plans
- Cloud agentgithub.comchecked 2026-10-10
Plans: Copilot Pro, Copilot Pro+, Copilot Max
Platforms
Where the product is offered: web, desktop app, mobile app, or editor extension.
Cursor:
- Desktop appcursor.comchecked 2026-10-10
On: Desktop app
- Webcursor.comchecked 2026-10-10
On: Web
- Mobile appcursor.comchecked 2026-10-10
On: Mobile app
- Editor extensioncursor.comchecked 2026-10-10
On: Editor extension
GitHub Copilot:
- Editor extensiongithub.comchecked 2026-10-10
On: Editor extension
- Web, Mobile appgithub.comchecked 2026-10-10
Plans: Copilot Free, Copilot Pro, Copilot Pro+, Copilot Max · On: Web, Mobile app
- Desktop appdocs.github.comchecked 2026-10-10
On: Desktop app
Requirements
Account
Whether you need to sign up before using it.
Cursor:
- Cursor account required (free sign-up available)cursor.comchecked 2026-10-10
GitHub Copilot:
- GitHub account requireddocs.github.comchecked 2026-10-10
Where it is available
Countries or regions where the provider says it can be used.
Cursor:
- Some third-party models may be unavailable in certain regions because of model-provider location restrictions; other models keep workingcursor.comchecked 2026-10-10
- iOS app available in all App Store regions except mainland Chinacursor.comchecked 2026-10-10
On: Mobile app
GitHub Copilot:
- Not sold or exported to embargoed destinations listed on GitHub's trade-controls page (currently Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, Belarus and certain regions of Ukraine)docs.github.comchecked 2026-10-10
Sources and confidence
Confidence
Cursor:
Last checked 2026-10-10
All compared fields have a confirmed value.
GitHub Copilot:
Last checked 2026-10-10
All compared fields have a confirmed value.