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Updated 11 Nov 2026 · prices read on vendor pages

9 best GitHub Copilot alternatives in 2027

Mehmet ElmicenniReviewed by Mehmet Elmicenni, founder of Zekai•Prices checked •How we check

The short answer

The best GitHub Copilot alternatives in 2027 are Claude Code (best overall, $20/mo), Zed (best free plan: Unlimited with own API keys) and Cline (best open source, Apache-2.0). GitHub Copilot itself starts at $10/mo. Zekai checked these prices on vendor pages on 11 Nov 2026; 6 more are compared below, including 4 with a free plan and 2 open source.

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Best overallSee in table →
Claude Code logo

Claude Code

$20/mo

9.0
Best free planSee in table →
Zed logo

Zed

$10/mo · free plan

8.0
Best open sourceSee in table →
Cline logo

Cline

Free to self-host · Apache-2.0

8.1
9alternatives compared
5with a free plan
3open source
$8/mocheapest paid · Cursor
$10/moGitHub Copilot starts at
01 · Zekai Price Ledger

Which GitHub Copilot alternatives are worth it in 2027?

The best GitHub Copilot alternatives in 2027 are Claude Code for terminal agents, Cursor for an agent-first editor at $8 a month, Kiro for spec-driven work, Zed for a free editor with your own keys, and Cline for open source. Copilot Pro is $10 a month and bills agent use in AI Credits.

ToolTypeStarting priceFree plan limitBest forCost for your teamChecked
GitHub Copilot logo
GitHub CopilotThe tool you are replacing
 You are here
$10/moPro, monthly
 2,000 completions per month Autocomplete and chat inside existing IDEs — 11 Nov 2026 Pricing ↗
Claude Code logo
Claude Code Zekai score 9.0Best overall
$20/moPro, monthly ($17/mo billed yearly)
 No free plan Terminal-first agentic coding across large repos — 11 Nov 2026 Pricing ↗
Cursor logo
Cursor Zekai score 9.5Cheapest paid
 Free plan + paid
$8/moPlus, monthly
 Limited agent and chat requests Agent-first editor with multi-vendor models — 11 Nov 2026 Pricing ↗
Windsurf (now Devin Desktop) Not yet reviewed by Zekai
 Free
Free plan; paid price not published
 Agent command center for local and cloud agents $0 11 Nov 2026 Pricing ↗
Kiro logo
Kiro Zekai score 7.6
 Free plan + paid
$20/moPro, monthly (1,000 credits)
 50 credits Spec-driven development with agents — 11 Nov 2026 Pricing ↗
Zed logo
Zed Zekai score 8.0Best free plan
 Free plan + paid
$10/moPro, monthly
 Unlimited with your own API keys or external agents Fast Rust editor using your own agents — 11 Nov 2026 Pricing ↗
Amazon Q Developer (formerly CodeWhisperer) logo
 Free plan + paid
$19/user/moPro tier, monthly
 50 agentic requests per month AWS-centred teams upgrading Java — 11 Nov 2026 Pricing ↗
Cline logo
Cline Zekai score 8.1Best open source
 Open source
Free (self-hosted)
 No limit, self-hosted (Apache-2.0) Open agent with any model provider $0 11 Nov 2026 Code ↗
Kilo Code logo
Kilo Code Zekai score 8.7
 Open source
Free (self-hosted)
 No limit, self-hosted (MIT) Open agent for VS Code, JetBrains and CLI $0 11 Nov 2026 Code ↗
Qwen Code logo
Qwen Code Zekai score 8.7
 Open source
Free (self-hosted)
 No limit, self-hosted (Apache-2.0) Terminal agent for Qwen and other models $0 11 Nov 2026 Code ↗

Every price was read on the vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. The Cost Finder assumes one entry plan per person, so it multiplies by your team size; yearly prices are shown per month, and team or business plans can cost more per seat. "Not checked" means we could not confirm a public price.

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02 · Free plan

Is there a free version of GitHub Copilot?

Yes. GitHub Copilot Free lists 2,000 completions per month, access to entry-level models, Copilot CLI and limited chat and agent usage, with no stated credit amount. Completions and next edit suggestions do not use AI Credits; agent mode, code review and the CLI do. Paid plans start with Pro at $10 a month.

Source: GitHub Copilot pricing page, read 11 Nov 2026.

Free$0

2,000 completions per month

Paid from$10/mo

Pro, monthly

03 · Free alternatives

What are the best free GitHub Copilot alternatives?

Zed's free Personal plan is unlimited with your own API keys or external agents. Amazon Q Developer's free tier gives 50 agentic requests a month and Kiro's free plan gives 50 credits. Copilot Free gives 2,000 completions a month. Cline, Kilo Code and Qwen Code are free to install; you pay your model provider.

Cursor logo

Cursor

Cheapest paidFree plan + paid
Limited agent and chat requests
Paid from $8/mo
vs GitHub Copilot →Zekai review

Windsurf (now Devin Desktop)

Free
vs GitHub Copilot →
Kiro logo

Kiro

Free plan + paid
50 credits
Paid from $20/mo
vs GitHub Copilot →Zekai review
Zed logo

Zed

Best free planFree plan + paid
Unlimited with your own API keys or external agents
Paid from $10/mo
vs GitHub Copilot →Zekai review
Amazon Q Developer (formerly CodeWhisperer) logo

Amazon Q Developer (formerly CodeWhisperer)

Free plan + paid
50 agentic requests per month
Paid from $19/user/mo
vs GitHub Copilot →Zekai review
04 · Open source

What are the best open-source GitHub Copilot alternatives?

Cline (Apache-2.0), Kilo Code (MIT) and Qwen Code (Apache-2.0) are the open-source Copilot alternatives. Cline and Kilo Code run in VS Code, and Kilo Code also in JetBrains and a CLI; Qwen Code is terminal-only. All connect to your own model provider or local models.

Cline logo

Cline

Apache-2.0★ 70.5k GitHub stars · Oct 2026
To self-host: Install the VS Code extension, CLI via npm, or desktop app; bring a provider key (Anthropic, OpenAI, OpenRouter) or run local models through Ollama or LM Studio.
Last release 26 Oct 2026
Zekai open-source pageSource code ↗Managed hosting slot
Kilo Code logo

Kilo Code

MIT★ 27.4k GitHub stars · Sep 2026
To self-host: Install from the VS Code or JetBrains marketplace, via npm, Homebrew or prebuilt binaries; the page says you can start without API keys through a Kilo account.
Last release 6 Sep 2026
Zekai open-source pageSource code ↗Managed hosting slot
Qwen Code logo

Qwen Code

Apache-2.0★ 28k GitHub stars · Sep 2026
To self-host: Needs Node.js 22+ for the npm install (or Homebrew or install scripts); run /auth to set a provider API key, or point it at local models via Ollama or vLLM.
Zekai open-source pageSource code ↗Managed hosting slot
05 · Side by side

How does GitHub Copilot compare with each alternative?

Copilot is a plugin that stays in your current IDE, with completions that do not use credits. Claude Code and Qwen Code work from the terminal, Cursor, Kiro, Zed and Windsurf are separate editors or agent apps, Amazon Q is AWS-focused, and Cline and Kilo Code are open-source extensions.

01
Claude Code logo

GitHub Copilot vs Claude Code

Best overall$20/mo · checked 11 Nov 20269.0
The differenceRuns as a terminal CLI, desktop app and web agent, and also installs as a VS Code or JetBrains extension, with scheduled cloud tasks and subagents; it needs a Claude subscription or API account.
Switch to Claude Code ifyou want an agent that edits many files, runs commands and opens pull requests from the terminal
Stay with GitHub Copilot ifinline completions inside your current IDE matter more than long agentic sessions
Pros
  • Acts as an agent, understanding the entire project context.
  • Handles complete workflows from issue to pull request.
Cons
  • Requires a paid Claude Pro, Max, or Team plan for access.
  • Effective use demands familiarity with development tools (terminal, IDE).

Pros and cons from the Zekai review of Claude Code · Verdict: Your AI dev partner.

Visit Claude CodeRead the Zekai reviewPrice alert
02
Cursor logo

GitHub Copilot vs Cursor

Cheapest paidFree plan + paid$8/mo · checked 11 Nov 20269.5
The differenceShips its own desktop editor plus CLI, web and mobile agents, and lets you pick models from OpenAI, Anthropic, Gemini and Cursor; usage tiers run Plus, Premium, Super and Ultra.
Switch to Cursor ifyou want a dedicated agent editor and a cheaper entry plan than Copilot Pro
Stay with GitHub Copilot ifyou want to keep your editor and your GitHub pull request workflow unchanged
Pros
  • Offloads entire coding tasks to agents, not just line-by-line completion.
  • Deeply understands your entire game's codebase for accurate suggestions.
Cons
  • Requires a mental shift from direct coding to 'directing' an AI agent.
  • Reliance on cloud-based models may be a concern for highly sensitive game IP.

Pros and cons from the Zekai review of Cursor · Verdict: Agentic AI Coding Assistant

Visit CursorRead the Zekai reviewPrice alert
03

GitHub Copilot vs Windsurf (now Devin Desktop)

FreeFree plan; paid price not published
The differenceRenamed Devin Desktop; it manages local and cloud agents from one Agent Command Center over the Agent Client Protocol and hands sessions between your machine and Devin Cloud.
Switch to Windsurf (now Devin Desktop) ifyou want to run parallel local and cloud agents that open their own pull requests
Stay with GitHub Copilot ifyou prefer a plugin in the editor you already use over a separate agent app
Visit Windsurf (now Devin Desktop)Price alert
04
Kiro logo

GitHub Copilot vs Kiro

Free plan + paid$20/mo · checked 11 Nov 20267.6
The differenceTurns prompts into requirement, design and task specs before code is written, then verifies results; offered as IDE, CLI, web and Crew apps, billed in credits rather than requests.
Switch to Kiro ifyou want written specs and requirement checks driving the agent before any code changes
Stay with GitHub Copilot ifyou just want fast completions and chat without a spec workflow
Pros
  • Spec-first approach with property-based test checks
  • Works as IDE, CLI, web and Crew
Cons
  • Free plan has only 50 credits
  • Add-on credits cost $0.04 each

Pros and cons from the Zekai review of Kiro · Verdict: Spec-driven AI IDE

Visit KiroRead the Zekai reviewPrice alert
05
Zed logo

GitHub Copilot vs Zed

Best free planFree plan + paid$10/mo · checked 11 Nov 20268.0
The differenceA Rust-built editor for macOS, Linux and Windows whose free Personal plan is unlimited with your own API keys or external agents like Claude Agent and Codex CLI; Zed-hosted AI needs Pro.
Switch to Zed ifyou already pay for model keys or agents and want a fast editor with no per-seat AI fee
Stay with GitHub Copilot ifyou want a managed subscription that bundles models and works in JetBrains or Visual Studio
Pros
  • Personal plan is free forever
  • Bring your own API keys from Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, Ollama and others
Cons
  • Pro includes only $5 of tokens, then API list price plus 10%
  • Business SSO, SAML and SCIM are planned but not available

Pros and cons from the Zekai review of Zed · Verdict: Fast Rust code editor

Visit ZedRead the Zekai reviewPrice alert
06
Amazon Q Developer (formerly CodeWhisperer) logo

GitHub Copilot vs Amazon Q Developer (formerly CodeWhisperer)

Free plan + paid$19/user/mo · checked 11 Nov 20266.8
The differenceIncludes Java upgrade and .NET porting agents (1,000 lines a month free); AWS says IDE plugins end on April 30, 2027 and recommends Kiro for similar capabilities.
Switch to Amazon Q Developer (formerly CodeWhisperer) ifyour stack is AWS-heavy or you need Java version upgrades done by an agent
Stay with GitHub Copilot ifyou do not want to migrate again when AWS retires the Q Developer IDE plugins
Pros
  • Real-time, context-aware code suggestions reduce manual effort and typing.
  • Generates complete functions and code blocks, speeding up repetitive tasks.
Cons
  • Occasional code suggestions may require review for security and correctness.
  • Effectiveness can vary based on the specificity and clarity of comments and existing code.

Pros and cons from the Zekai review of Amazon Q Developer (formerly CodeWhisperer) · Verdict: IDE plugins end 2027

Visit Amazon Q Developer (formerly CodeWhisperer)Read the Zekai reviewPrice alert
07
Cline logo

GitHub Copilot vs Cline

Best open sourceOpen sourceFree (self-hosted)8.1
The differenceNot tied to one provider: connects to Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, OpenRouter, Bedrock, Ollama and any OpenAI-compatible API; the JetBrains plugin is not open source.
Switch to Cline ifyou want an Apache-2.0 agent and full control over which model provider you pay
Stay with GitHub Copilot ifyou want one flat monthly price instead of paying a model provider per token
Visit ClineRead the Zekai reviewPrice alert
08
Kilo Code logo

GitHub Copilot vs Kilo Code

Open sourceFree (self-hosted)8.7
The differenceMIT-licensed agent that runs in VS Code, JetBrains, a CLI and a browser Cloud Agent, with access to 500+ models billed at the provider's rate with no markup.
Switch to Kilo Code ifyou want an MIT-licensed agent that works in JetBrains and VS Code plus a browser option
Stay with GitHub Copilot ifyou want completions and chat bundled with the GitHub repositories you already host
Visit Kilo CodeRead the Zekai reviewPrice alert
09
Qwen Code logo

GitHub Copilot vs Qwen Code

Open sourceFree (self-hosted)8.7
The differenceA terminal coding agent that supports OpenAI, Anthropic, Gemini and Qwen APIs and local models through Ollama or vLLM, switchable at runtime; installs with npm or Homebrew.
Switch to Qwen Code ifyou want a free terminal agent that can run Qwen or local models through vLLM
Stay with GitHub Copilot ifyou work mainly in an IDE and want inline suggestions rather than a terminal agent
Visit Qwen CodeRead the Zekai reviewPrice alert
06 · What changed

Why do people leave GitHub Copilot?

  • GitHub moved Copilot from premium requests to usage-based AI Credits from 1 June 2026, charging by token at each model's API rate. (source)

  • The same announcement removed fallback to a cheaper model once allowances run out; usage is now limited by remaining credits and admin budgets. (source)

  • On the plans page, agent mode, code review, Copilot in the cloud and the CLI consume credits, and Free lists only limited chat and agent usage. (source)

08 · FAQ

Questions people ask about GitHub Copilot alternatives

What is the best alternative to GitHub Copilot in 2027?

Claude Code is the best overall GitHub Copilot alternative on this page ($20/mo). For no cost, Zed has a free plan (Unlimited with your own API keys or external agents). To self-host, Cline is open source (Apache-2.0).

Is there a free version of GitHub Copilot?

Yes. GitHub Copilot has a free plan: 2,000 completions per month. Paid plans start at $10/mo, checked on 11 Nov 2026.

Is there a 100% free alternative to GitHub Copilot?

Yes. Cline, Kilo Code, Qwen Code are open source and free to self-host. Cursor, Windsurf (now Devin Desktop), Kiro, Zed, Amazon Q Developer (formerly CodeWhisperer) have a free plan with limits, shown in the table.

What is cheaper than GitHub Copilot?

Cursor starts at $8/mo, against $10/mo for GitHub Copilot, as listed on each vendor's pricing page on 11 Nov 2026.

How much do GitHub Copilot alternatives cost for a team of 5?

If each of 5 people buys the entry paid plan, at the prices Zekai checked on 11 Nov 2026, the monthly cost is Cursor $40/mo, Zed $50/mo, Amazon Q Developer (formerly CodeWhisperer) $95/mo, against GitHub Copilot $50/mo for GitHub Copilot. Team and business plans can cost more per seat. The Zekai Cost Finder on this page recalculates for any team size.

Which is better, Claude Code or GitHub Copilot?

Runs as a terminal CLI, desktop app and web agent, and also installs as a VS Code or JetBrains extension, with scheduled cloud tasks and subagents; it needs a Claude subscription or API account. Choose Claude Code if you want an agent that edits many files, runs commands and opens pull requests from the terminal. Stay with GitHub Copilot if inline completions inside your current IDE matter more than long agentic sessions.

Why are people leaving GitHub Copilot?

The documented reasons are: GitHub moved Copilot from premium requests to usage-based AI Credits from 1 June 2026, charging by token at each model's API rate (27 Apr 2026); The same announcement removed fallback to a cheaper model once allowances run out; usage is now limited by remaining credits and admin budgets (27 Apr 2026). Each is sourced in the section above.

What is better than GitHub Copilot?

It depends on the job. Claude Code suits terminal agent work, Cursor suits an agent-first editor, and Cline suits people who want open source with their own model keys.

09 · Method

How did Zekai check this page?

Zekai independently reviews AI tools. For this page we read each vendor's own pricing and product pages and recorded the starting price, the free-plan limit and the date of the check. Only tools that do the same job as GitHub Copilot are listed, and sponsors never change the order or the scores.

Mehmet Elmicenni, founder of Zekai
Mehmet Elmicenni

Founder of Zekai. Reviews the alternatives pages and the price checks behind them.

About the founder · How Zekai scores tools

JSON copyMarkdown copy
1 · Same job onlyEvery alternative does the same task as GitHub Copilot; tools for other jobs are left out.
2 · Vendor pages onlyPrices and free limits come from each vendor's own pricing page, never from blogs.
Zekai score0–10, from four published weights: ease 25%, output quality 30%, value 20%, time saved 25%. How we score
3 · Re-checkedA price older than 35 days is re-read or the page falls back to an older version.
Change log

  • Page rebuilt on v6; all prices re-read on vendor pages.

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