Aider is a terminal-based AI pair programmer that edits entire files and manages git commits, while GitHub Copilot is an IDE extension focused on real-time code completion and inline suggestions. Aider excels at large refactoring tasks, whereas Copilot dominates in seamless code generation within your existing workflow.
Aider vs GitHub Copilot — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Choose Aider if you're refactoring large files, managing complex projects with git commits, or need maximum context and model flexibility. Choose GitHub Copilot if you want seamless IDE integration, instant code completions without context-switching, and a simple setup for daily coding assistance.
Terminal-based AI pair programmer that edits files and manages git commits
IDE extension providing AI-powered code completion and suggestions
Aider vs GitHub Copilot — Comparison Data
Structured comparison data for Aider vs GitHub Copilot with 216 attributes.
Code Generation Accuracy (HumanEval Benchmark)
Monthly Operating Cost (5,000 token average session)
Data Privacy (0=external servers, 1=local only)
Average Response Time for Code Suggestion
Typical Code Generation Quality (Subjective Rating)
Code Suggestion Accuracy (Python/JavaScript)
Aider vs GitHub Copilot — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for Aider vs GitHub Copilot.
Can Aider work offline or with local models?
Yes, Aider supports local models like Ollama, llama.cpp, and others, making it suitable for offline work or privacy-sensitive environments. GitHub Copilot requires an active internet connection and GitHub authentication.
Which tool is better for large refactoring projects?
Aider is significantly better for large refactoring due to its 200K token context window, ability to edit entire files, and automatic git commit management. Copilot's smaller context (32K max) and incremental-suggestion design make it better for adding new code than restructuring existing code.
GitHub Copilot has a free tier with rate limits. Aider requires either a Claude API subscription (~$20/month) or usage-based billing. For light use, GitHub Copilot Free may be sufficient; heavy users benefit more from Aider's flexibility and lower per-token costs with GPT-4 or local models.
Which tool integrates better with my development workflow?
GitHub Copilot integrates more seamlessly into IDEs (VS Code, PyCharm, etc.) without leaving your editor. Aider requires switching to the terminal, which adds friction but provides more powerful file-level control and git workflow integration for developers comfortable with CLI tools.
What are the privacy implications of each tool?
GitHub Copilot sends code snippets to GitHub's servers. Aider can use local models (Ollama) for complete privacy, or use Claude/OpenAI APIs (with their respective privacy policies). Choose local models in Aider for maximum privacy.