GitHub Copilot is a code completion assistant integrated into VS Code and other IDEs, while Cursor is a standalone AI-first code editor built on VS Code that combines an editor with advanced AI features like multi-file editing and natural language refactoring. Cursor offers more comprehensive AI capabilities in one package, while Copilot is broader but requires an existing IDE setup.
GitHub Copilot vs Cursor — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Choose GitHub Copilot if you're already invested in VS Code or another IDE ecosystem and want affordable AI code completion integrated into your existing workflow. Choose Cursor if you prioritize comprehensive AI-driven development with advanced multi-file editing, flexible model selection, and want an editor purpose-built around AI-assisted coding rather than adding AI to a traditional editor.
AI code completion extension for VS Code, JetBrains, and Visual Studio by OpenAI/Microsoft.
Desktop IDE (VS Code fork) with integrated native AI assistant and $20/month Pro tier
GitHub Copilot vs Cursor — Comparison Data
Structured comparison data for GitHub Copilot vs Cursor with 249 attributes.
Average Response Time for Code Suggestion
Primary AI Model Quality (MMBENCH score)
GitHub Copilot vs Cursor — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for GitHub Copilot vs Cursor.
Can I use GitHub Copilot without switching my IDE?
Yes. GitHub Copilot is an extension that works within your existing IDE—VS Code, JetBrains (IntelliJ, PyCharm, etc.), Visual Studio, Neovim, and 10+ others. You don't need to change your development environment.
Does Cursor have a free trial or free tier?
Yes. Cursor offers 20 free premium completions per month and periodic trial credits. You can test the Pro features without committing to a subscription, though extensive use requires a paid plan.
Can GitHub Copilot edit multiple files at once?
No. GitHub Copilot works primarily within a single file with limited cross-file context. For multi-file refactoring, you'll need to make changes file-by-file or use Cursor, which natively supports project-wide editing.
GitHub Copilot uses OpenAI's GPT-4 and GPT-4o models. You cannot switch to other models like Claude or Gemini. Cursor offers model flexibility as a selling point.
Cursor is built on the same open-source VS Code foundation and supports most VS Code extensions, making it a drop-in replacement for many developers. However, it's a distinct product optimized for AI-assisted development rather than a pure VS Code alternative.