Chat-based AI software engineer that builds full-stack web apps and sites from prompts.
Bolt.new vs GitHub Copilot
Features, pricing, strengths and trade-offs — and which one fits your situation.
The verdict
Summary
Bolt.new is best for building and running full-stack JavaScript apps entirely in the browser, while GitHub Copilot is best for developers who want AI completion and agents inside the editor and GitHub workflow they already use. Only Bolt.new offers hosting / deploy included and backend / database. Only GitHub Copilot offers inline code completion. Both Bolt.new and GitHub Copilot offer a free plan, so you can try each before paying.
Which should you choose?
Choose Bolt.new if…
- You need building and running full-stack JavaScript apps entirely in the browser
- Hosting / deploy included matters to you
- Backend / database matters to you
- You're one of: founders building mvps, developers prototyping quickly, designers converting figma files into apps
Choose GitHub Copilot if…
- You need developers who want AI completion and agents inside the editor and GitHub workflow they already use
- Inline code completion matters to you
- You're one of: developers already on github, enterprise engineering teams, jetbrains, visual studio or xcode users
- Works in the widest range of IDEs
At a glance
| Bolt.new | GitHub Copilot | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Building and running full-stack JavaScript apps entirely in the browser | Developers who want AI completion and agents inside the editor and GitHub workflow they already use |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Starting price | From $25/mo | From $10/mo |
| Learning curve | Low | Low |
| Platforms | Web | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android |
| Ideal for | Founders building MVPs, Developers prototyping quickly, Designers converting Figma files into apps | Developers already on GitHub, Enterprise engineering teams, JetBrains, Visual Studio or Xcode users |
Feature comparison
| Bolt.new | GitHub Copilot | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | AI app builder | Extension + cloud agent |
| Inline code completion | No | Yes |
| Multi-file agent | Yes | Yes |
| Builds full apps from prompts | Yes | Limited |
| Hosting / deploy included | Yes | No |
| Backend / database | Yes | No |
| GitHub integration | Yes | Yes |
| Choice of AI models | Yes | Yes |
| Export / own the code | Yes | Yes |
IncludedLimited / higher plansNot available— Not confirmed
Security & enterprise
| Bolt.new | GitHub Copilot | |
|---|---|---|
| Business / enterprise plan | Yes | Yes |
| SSO (SAML / OIDC) | Enterprise plan (SAML) | Via GitHub Enterprise (SAML) |
| SCIM user provisioning | — | Via GitHub Enterprise |
| SOC 2 | Type II | Type II |
| ISO 27001 | — | Yes |
| HIPAA (BAA available) | — | — |
| GDPR DPA | Yes | Yes |
| Data residency options | — | Via GHE.com data residency |
| No training on your data | Team & Enterprise (MSA/DPA) | Business & Enterprise |
| Audit logs | — | Business & Enterprise |
| Admin controls | Yes | Yes |
| Deployment | Cloud, customer AWS/Azure | Cloud |
From each vendor's security documentation. "—" = not confirmed. What to ask vendors · Compare all tools
What each tool does
Bolt.new
Bolt.new, from StackBlitz, is a browser-based AI app builder that writes and runs full-stack JavaScript apps in an in-browser WebContainer environment. Bolt Cloud adds built-in databases, authentication, file storage, edge functions and hosting with custom domains. It is used by founders, designers and developers building prototypes and MVPs.
Key features- In-browser development environment running Node.js via WebContainers
- Bolt Cloud databases, auth, storage and edge functions
- Built-in hosting and custom domains
- GitHub repository connection
- Choice of Claude, GPT and Gemini models
- Figma import
GitHub Copilot
GitHub Copilot is GitHub's AI coding assistant, offering inline completions and next edit suggestions, chat, an agent mode in the IDE and a cloud coding agent that works on issues and opens pull requests. It runs in VS Code, Visual Studio, JetBrains IDEs, Xcode, Eclipse and Neovim, plus a CLI and GitHub Mobile, and supports models from several providers depending on plan. It is used by individual developers and by companies already on GitHub.
Key features- Inline code completion and next edit suggestions
- Agent mode for multi-file edits in the IDE
- Cloud coding agent that works from issues and opens PRs
- Automated pull request code review
- Choice of models from OpenAI, Anthropic, Google and others
- Copilot CLI and GitHub Mobile access
Pricing
Bolt.new
Free plan (1M tokens/mo); Pro from $25/mo; Teams $30/member/mo
GitHub Copilot
Free plan (limited); Pro $10/mo; Pro+ $39/mo; Business $19/user/mo
Prices last checked September 2026. Plans change often — confirm on each vendor's site.
Pros and cons
Bolt.new
Strengths- Full editor, terminal and preview in the browser with nothing to install
- Backend and hosting included through Bolt Cloud
- Model choice across major providers
- Has a free plan
- Token usage climbs quickly on larger projects
- Loses context and falls into error-fix loops after many iterations
- Rewrites whole files rather than targeted diffs, raising token costs
- Limited to JavaScript/TypeScript stacks that run in WebContainers
Not ideal for: Teams working on large existing codebases or non-JavaScript backends are better served by a local AI IDE or coding agent.
GitHub Copilot
Strengths- Works in the widest range of IDEs
- Deep integration with GitHub issues, PRs and Actions
- Completions do not draw from the AI credit allowance on paid plans
- Has a free plan
- Usage-based AI credits introduced in 2026 can be used up quickly with agents and code review
- Top-tier models are restricted to higher plans
- Individual plan sign-ups and limits changed abruptly in 2026
- Agent mode is less central to the experience than in AI-first editors
Not ideal for: Non-developers who want to generate and host a complete app from a prompt should use an AI app builder instead.
Integrations
Bolt.new
GitHub Copilot
FAQ
What is the main difference between Bolt.new and GitHub Copilot?
Bolt.new is built for building and running full-stack JavaScript apps entirely in the browser; GitHub Copilot is built for developers who want AI completion and agents inside the editor and GitHub workflow they already use. Key differences: Bolt.new offers hosting / deploy included and backend / database; GitHub Copilot offers inline code completion.
Is Bolt.new or GitHub Copilot cheaper?
Bolt.new starts from $25/mo and GitHub Copilot starts from $10/mo (as of September 2026). On entry price, GitHub Copilot is cheaper — but compare what each plan includes, since limits differ. Always confirm current pricing on each vendor's site.
Do Bolt.new and GitHub Copilot have free plans?
Both Bolt.new and GitHub Copilot offer a free plan, so you can try each before paying.
Which is easier to use, Bolt.new or GitHub Copilot?
Both have a low learning curve.
What are good alternatives to Bolt.new and GitHub Copilot?
Other coding & apps tools worth comparing include Lovable, Base44 and v0.
