Codeium vs GitHub Copilot
Codeium and GitHub Copilot are two of the most-compared Coding tools. Codeium starts at Free and GitHub Copilot at $10/mo — and they differ in features, ratings, and the use cases they suit best. This side-by-side breakdown covers pricing, key features, the pros and cons of each, and a clear verdict to help you pick the right one.
Pros & cons
Pros
- ✓Generous free tier
- ✓Fast autocomplete
- ✓Supports 70+ languages
- ✓Works in most IDEs
- ✓Windsurf agentic editor
Cons
- ✗Branding shift (Codeium to Windsurf) can confuse
- ✗Advanced agent features need paid plans
- ✗Newer than some rivals
Pros
- ✓Works inside your existing IDE (no new editor)
- ✓Cheap entry ($10 Pro)
- ✓Multiple models (Claude, GPT, Gemini)
- ✓Deep GitHub integration
- ✓Generous free tier (2,000 completions/month)
Cons
- ✗Less of an all-in-one agent UX than Cursor
- ✗Premium models and higher usage gated to Pro+
- ✗Best experience tied to the GitHub ecosystem
The verdict
Codeium and GitHub Copilot are close competitors, but a few differences stand out. Codeium is free to start, while GitHub Copilot costs $10/mo. GitHub Copilot earns the higher user rating (4.6 vs 4.5). Codeium offers an API that GitHub Copilot lacks — important if you need integrations or automation. Codeium also includes a free plan, which lowers the barrier to trying it. Bottom line: choose Codeium if you want to spend less; choose GitHub Copilot if you want the highest-rated option.
Which one should you choose?
When to choose Codeium
Generous free AI autocomplete and chat.
Pick Codeium if you want to spend less, need API access and integrations, and want a free plan to start.
When to choose GitHub Copilot
The AI pair programmer in your IDE
Pick GitHub Copilot if you want the highest-rated option.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between Codeium and GitHub Copilot?+
Codeium: Fast, free AI code completion. GitHub Copilot: GitHub Copilot is an AI coding assistant from GitHub (Microsoft) that plugs into your existing IDE — VS Code, Visual Studio, JetBrains, and Neovim. The biggest differences come down to price, ratings, and features.
Which is cheaper, Codeium or GitHub Copilot?+
Codeium is free to start, while GitHub Copilot starts at $10/mo.
Which has the higher rating?+
GitHub Copilot scores 4.6 versus 4.5 for the other tool.
Does Codeium or GitHub Copilot have a free plan?+
Codeium offers a free plan; GitHub Copilot does not.
Which is better for Coding?+
For Coding, GitHub Copilot is the stronger overall pick. Choose Codeium instead if you want to spend less.