GitHub Copilot is a code-specific IDE extension trained on public repositories that integrates directly into your editor with 35% faster code completion, while ChatGPT is a general-purpose conversational AI accessible via web/API that excels at explaining concepts and handling non-coding tasks. Choose Copilot for real-time in-editor coding assistance and ChatGPT for broader AI conversations and learning.
GitHub Copilot vs ChatGPT — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
AI-powered code completion and generation tool integrated directly into IDEs.
OpenAI's market-leading AI assistant with advanced reasoning and 200M+ monthly active users.
Primary Use Case. Code Completion Speed. Supported IDEs/Platforms. Monthly Cost (Individual). Knowledge Cutoff. Multi-language Support. Context Window Size
Choose GitHub Copilot if you're a developer seeking faster in-editor code suggestions with minimal context switching—it integrates seamlessly into your workflow and significantly accelerates coding tasks. Choose ChatGPT if you need a versatile AI assistant for code explanation, debugging discussion, non-technical writing, and general knowledge queries across multiple domains with better long-context handling.
GitHub Copilot: 2-3 minutes | ChatGPT: 5-10 (account creation, app download)
GitHub Copilot: Very Large | ChatGPT: N/A
GitHub Copilot: 3+ model choices | ChatGPT: N/A
GitHub Copilot: Minimal (extension) | ChatGPT: N/A
GitHub Copilot: Copilot Pro $10/mo | ChatGPT: N/A
GitHub Copilot: Free tier with limited completions/chat, plus free for verified students, teachers, and OSS maintainers | ChatGPT: GPT-5.5 mini (rate-limited)
GitHub Copilot: Business $19/user/mo (Enterprise $39) | ChatGPT: N/A
GitHub Copilot: Plugin/extension installed into your existing IDE | ChatGPT: N/A
GitHub Copilot: Anthropic Claude, OpenAI GPT, Google Gemini (model picker in chat/agent) | ChatGPT: N/A
GitHub Copilot: Agent mode + Copilot Workspace + coding agent (issue-to-PR); strong but tighter loop trails Cursor | ChatGPT: N/A
GitHub Copilot: Repository context, @workspace search, and Enterprise knowledge bases; less aggressive auto-indexing | ChatGPT: N/A
GitHub Copilot: Very fast, low-latency completions; category pioneer and still excellent inline | ChatGPT: N/A
GitHub Copilot: Org policy management, SSO, audit logs, content exclusion, data residency, IP indemnification | ChatGPT: N/A
GitHub Copilot: 12,000 tokens (GPT-4) | ChatGPT: N/A
GitHub Copilot: Unlimited completions | ChatGPT: N/A
GitHub Copilot: VS Code, JetBrains, Neovim, Visual Studio, Sublime | ChatGPT: N/A
GitHub Copilot: Copilot (GPT-based, Good) | ChatGPT: N/A
GitHub Copilot: Limited to current + adjacent files | ChatGPT: N/A
GitHub Copilot: 128K tokens | ChatGPT: 128,000
GitHub Copilot: Not available | ChatGPT: Limited (enterprise only)
GitHub Copilot: Not available | ChatGPT: N/A
GitHub Copilot: 30 days (free tier limited) | ChatGPT: N/A
GitHub Copilot: October 2023 (~27 months old) | ChatGPT: Current (December 2024)
GitHub Copilot: ~1,200,000 | ChatGPT: N/A
GitHub Copilot: Yes (OpenAI servers) | ChatGPT: N/A
GitHub Copilot: Deep (PR, commits, issues) | ChatGPT: N/A
GitHub Copilot: 180 code completions | ChatGPT: N/A
GitHub Copilot: 15+ editors (VS Code, JetBrains, Vim, Neovim, etc.) | ChatGPT: N/A
GitHub Copilot: Suggestion-based only, no autonomous execution | ChatGPT: N/A
GitHub Copilot: OpenAI GPT-4 / Anthropic Claude | ChatGPT: N/A
GitHub Copilot: ~1200ms average completion | ChatGPT: N/A
GitHub Copilot: $10/month individual, $19/month business | ChatGPT: N/A
GitHub Copilot: ~5-10 visible files in editor | ChatGPT: N/A
GitHub Copilot: 1 (GitHub Copilot proprietary model) | ChatGPT: N/A
GitHub Copilot: 5+ (VS Code, JetBrains, Visual Studio, Vim, Neovim) | ChatGPT: N/A
GitHub Copilot: No—suggestions only, manual edit required | ChatGPT: N/A
GitHub Copilot: 1 (IDE-native, like autocomplete) | ChatGPT: N/A
GitHub Copilot: No (cloud-only) | ChatGPT: N/A
Average Response Time for Code Suggestion
GitHub Copilot: 0.5-1 (inline suggestion) | ChatGPT: N/A
GitHub Copilot: 6 major platforms | ChatGPT: N/A
GitHub Copilot: Native PR reviews, CLI, GitHub.dev, Copilot X | ChatGPT: N/A
GitHub Copilot: Data exclusion available (enterprise only) | ChatGPT: N/A
GitHub Copilot: $252/year | ChatGPT: N/A
GitHub Copilot: $120 (monthly) or $100 (annual with 17% discount) | ChatGPT: N/A
GitHub Copilot: Up to 150 lines | ChatGPT: N/A
GitHub Copilot: April 2024 | ChatGPT: N/A
GitHub Copilot: $10 | ChatGPT: $20 (ChatGPT Plus)
GitHub Copilot: 2 MB (extension only) | ChatGPT: N/A
GitHub Copilot: 27% of developers | ChatGPT: N/A
GitHub Copilot: 2-5 seconds per suggestion | ChatGPT: N/A
GitHub Copilot: 5 IDE integrations | ChatGPT: N/A
GitHub Copilot: 20-40% faster on routine tasks | ChatGPT: N/A
GitHub Copilot: 2 months free trial only | ChatGPT: N/A
GitHub Copilot: 2 (GPT-4, Claude) | ChatGPT: N/A
GitHub Copilot: 4 major (VS Code, Visual Studio, GitHub.com, JetBrains Beta) | ChatGPT: N/A
GitHub Copilot: 1.5+ million (GitHub official, 2024) | ChatGPT: N/A
GitHub Copilot: Yes (GitHub Enterprise available) | ChatGPT: N/A
GitHub Copilot: 2–5 min (GitHub sign-in) | ChatGPT: N/A
GitHub Copilot: Mandatory (cloud-based) | ChatGPT: N/A
GitHub Copilot: 30-day trial only | ChatGPT: Free basic features
GitHub Copilot: 27 million | ChatGPT: N/A
GitHub Copilot: 5 years (2021) | ChatGPT: N/A
GitHub Copilot: Plugin only (requires VS Code/JetBrains) | ChatGPT: N/A
GitHub Copilot: Limited to referenced files | ChatGPT: N/A
GitHub Copilot: 5+ (VS Code, JetBrains suite, GitHub.com, etc.) | ChatGPT: N/A
GitHub Copilot: $10 or free with GitHub Pro | ChatGPT: $20 (ChatGPT Plus) / Free (basic)
GitHub Copilot: 150-250ms per suggestion | ChatGPT: 1,200-2,000ms (requires API call and context setup)
GitHub Copilot: 80+ (Python, JavaScript, Java, C++, Go, Rust, etc.) | ChatGPT: 100+ (includes natural language)
GitHub Copilot: 8,000 tokens (~6,000 words) | ChatGPT: 128,000 tokens (~96,000 words)
GitHub Copilot: 8+ (VS Code, JetBrains Suite, Vim, Visual Studio, etc.) | ChatGPT: 0 (web and API only)
GitHub Copilot: April 2024 | ChatGPT: April 2024 (+ real-time with Plus)
GitHub Copilot: 72% correct on HumanEval benchmark | ChatGPT: 67% correct on HumanEval benchmark
GitHub Copilot: 2-5 seconds (in-editor, no switching) | ChatGPT: 15-30 seconds (copy code, switch tabs, paste results)
GitHub Copilot: N/A | ChatGPT: GPT-3.5 (basic)
GitHub Copilot: N/A | ChatGPT: Not favored
GitHub Copilot: N/A | ChatGPT: Broader ecosystem
GitHub Copilot: N/A | ChatGPT: Conversational assistance & content generation
GitHub Copilot: N/A | ChatGPT: o1/o3 advanced reasoning series
GitHub Copilot: N/A | ChatGPT: Hundreds of plugins and integrations
GitHub Copilot: N/A | ChatGPT: Knowledge cutoff with occasional browsing
GitHub Copilot: N/A | ChatGPT: Projects feature
GitHub Copilot: N/A | ChatGPT: Limited or subscription-only
GitHub Copilot: N/A | ChatGPT: Available but not primary focus
GitHub Copilot: N/A | ChatGPT: Custom GPTs with established ecosystem
GitHub Copilot: N/A | ChatGPT: Single model per session
GitHub Copilot: N/A | ChatGPT: GPT-5.2 advanced context
GitHub Copilot: N/A | ChatGPT: Web access in Plus tier
GitHub Copilot: N/A | ChatGPT: Superior synthesis and judgment
GitHub Copilot: N/A | ChatGPT: GPT-4, GPT-4o, o1, and newer models
Minimum Monthly Cost for Advanced Features
GitHub Copilot: N/A | ChatGPT: $20 (Plus tier)
GitHub Copilot: N/A | ChatGPT: Yes; extensive custom GPT ecosystem
GitHub Copilot: N/A | ChatGPT: Thousands via Zapier and API
GitHub Copilot: N/A | ChatGPT: Yes, via GPT-4 Vision in Plus/Pro tiers
GitHub Copilot: N/A | ChatGPT: Yes (ChatGPT Enterprise custom terms)
GitHub Copilot: N/A | ChatGPT: $0.05-3.00 (varies by model)
GitHub Copilot: N/A | ChatGPT: Strong (GPT-4o/5.4 capable)
GitHub Copilot: N/A | ChatGPT: Text, image, voice, video
GitHub Copilot: N/A | ChatGPT: $5 (ChatGPT Go)
GitHub Copilot: N/A | ChatGPT: Consumer-friendly, polished
GitHub Copilot: N/A | ChatGPT: November 2022
GitHub Copilot: N/A | ChatGPT: No (knowledge cutoff)
GitHub Copilot: N/A | ChatGPT: Web, iOS, Android, API
GitHub Copilot: N/A | ChatGPT: $240 (ChatGPT Plus)
GitHub Copilot: N/A | ChatGPT: Very Strong (GPT-4o)
GitHub Copilot: N/A | ChatGPT: $20 (Plus) / $200 (Pro)
GitHub Copilot: N/A | ChatGPT: Advanced (image, video, text, document analysis)
GitHub Copilot: N/A | ChatGPT: 1 (standalone web/app)
GitHub Copilot: N/A | ChatGPT: GPT-4o: Superior accuracy on technical/logic problems
GitHub Copilot: N/A | ChatGPT: Excellent - follows detailed creative prompts precisely
GitHub Copilot: N/A | ChatGPT: $240 (Plus annually)
GitHub Copilot: N/A | ChatGPT: $20/month
GitHub Copilot: N/A | ChatGPT: Manual copy-paste only
GitHub Copilot: N/A | ChatGPT: Thousands via Zapier
GitHub Copilot: N/A | ChatGPT: Separate application
GitHub Copilot: N/A | ChatGPT: Processes public web data only
GitHub Copilot: N/A | ChatGPT: 3 (text, image, voice)
GitHub Copilot: N/A | ChatGPT: GPT-5.5 (Plus/Pro)
GitHub Copilot: N/A | ChatGPT: Strong (GPT-5.5)
GitHub Copilot: N/A | ChatGPT: Yes (browse mode)
GitHub Copilot: N/A | ChatGPT: Strong across 50+ languages
GitHub Copilot: N/A | ChatGPT: Strict JSON mode + tool calling
GitHub Copilot: N/A | ChatGPT: ~2025 (browse compensates)
GitHub Copilot: N/A | ChatGPT: Yes — DALL-E 3
GitHub Copilot: N/A | ChatGPT: Yes — Advanced Voice
GitHub Copilot: N/A | ChatGPT: Operator agent
GitHub Copilot: N/A | ChatGPT: Largest (GPTs, Operator)
GitHub Copilot: N/A | ChatGPT: Polished, top-rated
GitHub Copilot: N/A | ChatGPT: Automatic on supported models
GitHub Copilot: N/A | ChatGPT: GPT-5.5-class + 4o-mini
GitHub Copilot: N/A | ChatGPT: Cloud-only (Azure OpenAI closest)
GitHub Copilot: N/A | ChatGPT: ~500 RPM / 90K TPM (GPT-5.5)
GitHub Copilot: N/A | ChatGPT: ChatGPT Plus $20/mo
GitHub Copilot: N/A | ChatGPT: Pro $100/mo · Pro Max $200/mo
GitHub Copilot: N/A | ChatGPT: ~$30/user/mo
GitHub Copilot: N/A | ChatGPT: GPT-5.5: ~$2.50
GitHub Copilot: N/A | ChatGPT: GPT-4o / o1 (advanced)
GitHub Copilot: N/A | ChatGPT: 40 messages (GPT-4); unlimited (GPT-3.5)
GitHub Copilot: N/A | ChatGPT: No—manual upload required
GitHub Copilot: N/A | ChatGPT: No—requires web/app
GitHub Copilot: N/A | ChatGPT: Yes—Custom GPTs
GitHub Copilot: N/A | ChatGPT: Basic (via API keys)
GitHub Copilot: N/A | ChatGPT: No - requires manual import
GitHub Copilot: N/A | ChatGPT: Yes - $0.03-$0.06 per 1K tokens
GitHub Copilot: N/A | ChatGPT: 3-6 seconds average
GitHub Copilot: N/A | ChatGPT: 95+ languages
GitHub Copilot: N/A | ChatGPT: Advanced custom instructions system
GitHub Copilot: N/A | ChatGPT: 200+ million
GitHub Copilot: N/A | ChatGPT: Limited messages (no dedicated search)
GitHub Copilot: N/A | ChatGPT: No (Plus only)
GitHub Copilot: N/A | ChatGPT: GPT-4o & o1 reasoning
GitHub Copilot: N/A | ChatGPT: Available (not default)
GitHub Copilot: N/A | ChatGPT: Extensive (10,000+ GPTs & plugins)
GitHub Copilot: N/A | ChatGPT: Advanced (GPT-4V with OCR, charts, diagrams)
How to choose between GitHub Copilot and ChatGPT
GitHub Copilot vs ChatGPT — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for GitHub Copilot vs ChatGPT. Contains 205 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
Can I use GitHub Copilot and ChatGPT together?
Yes, many developers use both. Copilot handles rapid in-editor code completion while ChatGPT assists with code explanation, architectural decisions, debugging strategy, and non-coding tasks. They complement rather than compete.
GitHub Copilot scores 72% on the HumanEval benchmark compared to ChatGPT's 67%, but this varies by language and context. Copilot excels at common patterns and boilerplate, while ChatGPT is better at explaining why code works and discussing approaches.
Copilot works offline in VS Code and JetBrains after initial authentication. ChatGPT requires internet for web and API access. Neither provides true offline-first coding assistance without pre-caching.
ChatGPT is superior for learning because it explains concepts in depth, discusses design patterns, and handles follow-up questions naturally. Copilot is better for productivity once you understand fundamentals. Many learners use ChatGPT first, then Copilot for speed.
GitHub Copilot doesn't retain code snippets by default (90-day retention can be disabled). ChatGPT retains conversations for 30 days unless deleted. Both have enterprise privacy tiers. For sensitive code, use Copilot with retention disabled or enterprise plans.
How to Choose Between GitHub Copilot and ChatGPT
Primary Use Case: GitHub Copilot has Code-specific IDE integration for real-time autocompletion, while ChatGPT has General-purpose conversational AI for multiple domains.
Code Completion Speed: GitHub Copilot has 35-45% faster with context-aware suggestions in-editor, while ChatGPT has Requires context copying and manual interaction.
Supported IDEs/Platforms: GitHub Copilot has VS Code, JetBrains, Vim, Neovim, Visual Studio (8+ platforms), while ChatGPT has Web browser, API, mobile app, no IDE native integration.
Monthly Cost (Individual): GitHub Copilot has $10/month or included with GitHub Pro, while ChatGPT has $20/month (ChatGPT Plus) or free with limitations.
Knowledge Cutoff: GitHub Copilot has April 2024 with Copilot Chat, while ChatGPT has April 2024 for GPT-4, real-time browsing with Plus.
Multi-language Support: GitHub Copilot has 80+ programming languages with context awareness, while ChatGPT has 100+ languages including natural language and coding.
Context Window Size: GitHub Copilot has 8K tokens (approximately 6,000 words), while ChatGPT has 128K tokens for GPT-4 (approximately 96,000 words).