AI Coding Assistants · Pricing comparison
Cursor vs GitHub Copilot: Pricing
GitHub Copilot is the cheaper option ($10/mo less), both offer a free plan, Cursor rates slightly higher. Below we break down plans, free tiers, and value so you can decide which fits your budget and workflow.
Last checked July 24, 2026
At a glance
GitHub Copilot is the cheaper option ($10/mo less), both offer a free plan, Cursor rates slightly higher.
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Cursor vs GitHub Copilot: side-by-side
| Feature | Cursor | GitHub Copilot |
|---|---|---|
| Category | AI Coding Assistants | AI Coding Assistants |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free plan details | Limited free tier — enough to evaluate, not for daily work. | Free tier with 2,000 completions and 50 chat/agent requests monthly. |
| Starting price | $20/mo (Pro) | $10/mo (Pro) |
| Highest known plan | $200/mo (Ultra) | $39/seat/mo (Enterprise) |
| Free trial | No | No |
| Best for | Professional developers who want the strongest agentic coding | Developers on GitHub and teams wanting the easiest budget approval |
| Team support | Yes | Yes |
| API access | No | Yes |
| Editor rating | 4.6 / 5 | 4.5 / 5 |
Pricing and free plans
Cursor uses a freemium model, starting at $20/mo (Pro). Pro+ at $60/mo. Credit-based billing; heavy agent use consumes credits fast. Business $40/seat. Its free plan: Limited free tier — enough to evaluate, not for daily work.
GitHub Copilot uses a freemium model, starting at $10/mo (Pro). Pro+ $39/mo. GitHub is shifting toward usage-based billing from June 2026 — treat listed prices as entry points. Its free plan: Free tier with 2,000 completions and 50 chat/agent requests monthly.
Which is cheaper?
If budget is the deciding factor, GitHub Copilot wins on entry price. If output quality or specific features matter more, weigh the feature lists below before deciding.
Cursor: pros and cons
Pros
- Best-in-class agent capability
- Fast, context-aware completions
- Model choice per task
Cons
- Credits opaque for heavy users
- $60-200 tiers for power use
- Free tier too small for real work
GitHub Copilot: pros and cons
Pros
- Cheapest capable paid plan
- Widest IDE support
- Genuinely useful free tier
Cons
- Agent features trail Cursor
- Premium requests capped
- Usage-based billing incoming
Who each tool is best for
- Best for beginners: GitHub Copilot — lower barrier to entry and easier to start for free or cheaply.
- Best for teams: Cursor.
- Best if you need an API: GitHub Copilot offers API access where the other does not.
- Cursor is best for: Professional developers who want the strongest agentic coding.
- GitHub Copilot is best for: Developers on GitHub and teams wanting the easiest budget approval.
Our call
Verdict
On price alone, GitHub Copilot is the value pick at $10/mo (Pro). Cursor edges ahead on our editor rating. For most people, choose Cursor if you want professional developers who want the strongest agentic coding, and GitHub Copilot if you want developers on github and teams wanting the easiest budget approval.
Cursor vs GitHub Copilot FAQ
Which is cheaper, Cursor or GitHub Copilot?
GitHub Copilot has the cheaper entry price — about $10/mo less. Cursor starts at $20/mo (Pro), while GitHub Copilot starts at $10/mo (Pro).
Does Cursor or GitHub Copilot have a free plan?
Both offer a free plan. Cursor: Limited free tier — enough to evaluate, not for daily work. GitHub Copilot: Free tier with 2,000 completions and 50 chat/agent requests monthly.
Is Cursor or GitHub Copilot better for beginners?
GitHub Copilot tends to be the easier starting point thanks to its pricing and free access, though both cover the same core ai coding assistants needs.
Which is better for teams?
Cursor is the stronger team pick given its collaboration support and rating.