Cursor is an IDE built on VS Code with integrated AI coding features, while Copilot is an AI code completion plugin that works across multiple editors. Cursor offers a more cohesive AI-first development experience, whereas Copilot provides broader compatibility with existing tools.
Cursor vs Copilot — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Choose Cursor if you want an AI-first IDE with deep feature integration, superior context awareness, and the ability to switch between multiple AI models—ideal for developers who spend most time coding. Choose Copilot if you prefer flexibility across multiple editors/IDEs, have an existing development setup you don't want to change, or use JetBrains IDEs exclusively.
VS Code-based AI code editor with multi-model support and precision editing features
AI-powered code completion tool that integrates into code editors and IDEs.
Structured comparison data for Cursor vs Copilot with 234 attributes.
Primary AI Model Quality (MMBENCH score)
Average Response Time for Code Suggestion
Cursor vs Copilot — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for Cursor vs Copilot.
Can I use Cursor with my existing VS Code settings and extensions?
Yes. Cursor is built on the same VS Code foundation and automatically imports your settings, keybindings, and extensions on first launch. However, some extensions may need to be reinstalled through Cursor's marketplace. Your VS Code theme and font preferences transfer directly.
Is Copilot cheaper than Cursor for heavy AI usage?
No. Cursor's $20/month Pro plan offers unlimited AI requests, while GitHub Copilot Pro's $20/month plan is capped at 100 chat prompts per month. For developers making 20+ AI requests daily, Cursor is significantly more cost-effective. Copilot's pay-as-you-go model is only cheaper for very light usage (<5 requests/month).
Which tool has better code completion accuracy?
Both use similar underlying models (Claude 3.5 Sonnet or GPT-4o), but Cursor's codebase indexing gives it contextual advantages for larger projects. Cursor's full project understanding enables better refactoring and multi-file edits. Copilot excels at quick line-level completions. For complex tasks, Cursor's context-aware suggestions are typically 15-25% more accurate based on developer surveys.
Can I use Cursor with JetBrains IDEs like IntelliJ?
No. Cursor is exclusively built on VS Code and cannot run in JetBrains IDEs. If you require JetBrains (PyCharm, IntelliJ, WebStorm), you must use GitHub Copilot instead. Cursor's JetBrains support is not on the development roadmap as of 2026.
What's the learning curve difference between these tools?
Both have shallow learning curves if you know VS Code or your current IDE. Cursor requires learning new keyboard shortcuts (Cmd+K for inline editing, Cmd+Shift+L for chat), but these are intuitive once memorized. Copilot's integration is more passive—completions appear automatically. Cursor demands more intentional interaction but provides more power as a result.