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GitHub Copilot vs Windsurf
Features, pricing, strengths and trade-offs — and which one fits your situation.
The verdict
Summary
GitHub Copilot is best for developers who want AI completion and agents inside the editor and GitHub workflow they already use, while Windsurf is best for developers wanting an AI code editor with fast tab completion and local plus cloud agents. GitHub Copilot has a low learning curve, compared with medium for Windsurf. Both GitHub Copilot and Windsurf offer a free plan, so you can try each before paying.
Which should you choose?
Choose GitHub Copilot if…
- You need developers who want AI completion and agents inside the editor and GitHub workflow they already use
- You're one of: developers already on github, enterprise engineering teams, jetbrains, visual studio or xcode users
- You want something quicker to learn
- Works in the widest range of IDEs
Choose Windsurf if…
- You need developers wanting an AI code editor with fast tab completion and local plus cloud agents
- You're one of: professional developers, former windsurf and codeium users, teams already using devin cloud agents
- Fast, context-aware tab completion
At a glance
| GitHub Copilot | Windsurf | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Developers who want AI completion and agents inside the editor and GitHub workflow they already use | Developers wanting an AI code editor with fast tab completion and local plus cloud agents |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Starting price | From $10/mo | From $20/mo |
| Learning curve | Low | Medium |
| Platforms | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android | macOS, Windows, Linux |
| Ideal for | Developers already on GitHub, Enterprise engineering teams, JetBrains, Visual Studio or Xcode users | Professional developers, Former Windsurf and Codeium users, Teams already using Devin cloud agents |
Feature comparison
| GitHub Copilot | Windsurf | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Extension + cloud agent | IDE (now Devin Desktop) |
| Inline code completion | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-file agent | Yes | Yes |
| Builds full apps from prompts | Limited | Yes |
| Hosting / deploy included | No | No |
| Backend / database | No | 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
| GitHub Copilot | Windsurf | |
|---|---|---|
| Business / enterprise plan | Yes | Yes |
| SSO (SAML / OIDC) | Via GitHub Enterprise (SAML) | Enterprise plan |
| SCIM user provisioning | Via GitHub Enterprise | Enterprise plan |
| SOC 2 | Type II | Type II |
| ISO 27001 | Yes | — |
| HIPAA (BAA available) | — | — |
| GDPR DPA | Yes | — |
| Data residency options | Via GHE.com data residency | — |
| No training on your data | Business & Enterprise | Opt-out enables ZDR |
| Audit logs | Business & Enterprise | — |
| Admin controls | Yes | Yes |
| Deployment | Cloud | Cloud, hybrid, FedRAMP High |
From each vendor's security documentation. "—" = not confirmed. What to ask vendors · Compare all tools
What each tool does
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
Windsurf
Windsurf, the AI code editor formerly from Codeium, was acquired by Cognition and renamed Devin Desktop in June 2026; windsurf.com now redirects to it and existing plans and settings carried over. The editor keeps its Supercomplete tab completion, while the Cascade agent was replaced by Devin Local in July 2026, alongside handoff to Devin cloud agents and a free SWE-2 model. A Windsurf-branded plugin for JetBrains IDEs remains available.
Key features- Supercomplete tab completion
- Devin Local agent for multi-file edits (replaced Cascade)
- Handoff between local and Devin cloud agents
- Free access to Cognition's SWE-2 model plus other models
- MCP integrations such as Slack, Linear, Figma and Stripe
- JetBrains plugin
Pricing
GitHub Copilot
Free plan (limited); Pro $10/mo; Pro+ $39/mo; Business $19/user/mo
Windsurf
Free plan; Pro $20/mo (raised from $15 in 2026); Teams/Max tiers
Prices last checked September 2026. Plans change often — confirm on each vendor's site.
Pros and cons
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.
Windsurf
Strengths- Fast, context-aware tab completion
- In-house model available at no extra cost
- Local and cloud agents managed from one app
- Has a free plan
- The Windsurf brand and Cascade agent have been retired, creating migration churn
- Product direction now tied to Cognition's Devin roadmap
- Heavy use of frontier third-party models draws on paid quotas
- Requires switching from the user's current editor unless using the JetBrains plugin
Not ideal for: Users who want a stable, long-standing product identity or a hosted no-code app builder should look at other options.
Integrations
GitHub Copilot
Windsurf
FAQ
What is the main difference between GitHub Copilot and Windsurf?
GitHub Copilot is built for developers who want AI completion and agents inside the editor and GitHub workflow they already use; Windsurf is built for developers wanting an AI code editor with fast tab completion and local plus cloud agents.
Is GitHub Copilot or Windsurf cheaper?
GitHub Copilot starts from $10/mo and Windsurf starts from $20/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 GitHub Copilot and Windsurf have free plans?
Both GitHub Copilot and Windsurf offer a free plan, so you can try each before paying.
Which is easier to use, GitHub Copilot or Windsurf?
GitHub Copilot is generally quicker to learn (GitHub Copilot: low, Windsurf: medium learning curve).
What are good alternatives to GitHub Copilot and Windsurf?
Other coding & apps tools worth comparing include Lovable, Base44 and v0.
