kitio.aiClaude Code vs GitHub Copilot
A side-by-side look at pricing plans, free tiers, features, pros and cons, updated for 2026. GitHub Copilot has the lower starting price: about $10 a month, against $20 for Claude Code.
At a glance
Best for
Pricing model
Starting price
Free plan
Made by
Based in
Rating
Key features
- Terminal agent
- IDE extensions
- Subagents and hooks
- MCP support
- GitHub Actions integration
- Code completions
- Copilot Chat
- Cloud coding agent
- Code review
- Copilot CLI
| Feature | Claude Code | GitHub Copilot |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Anthropic's agentic coding tool for terminal, IDE and web | GitHub's AI pair programmer for editors, CLI and pull requests |
| Category | Coding | Coding |
| Pricing model | Paid | Freemium |
| Starting price | $20/mo | $10/mo |
| Free plan | No | Yes |
| Made by | Anthropic | GitHub (Microsoft) |
| Based in | United States | United States |
| Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Key features |
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Pricing compared
GitHub Copilot has the lower starting price: about $10 a month, against $20 for Claude Code.
Free plan
Cheapest paid plan
Top plan
Free trial
5 plans
Pro
$20/mo
- Claude Code included
- More usage than Free
- Claude in Chrome
Max
$100/mo
- From $100; 5x or 20x Pro usage
- Higher output limits
- $100-$200/mo in API credits
Team Standard
$25/mo
- Per seat
- Claude Code and Cowork
- More usage than Pro
Team Premium
$125/mo
- Per seat
- 5x usage of standard seats
Enterprise
$20/seat + usage
- Billed annually, 20-seat minimum
- Usage at API rates
- Admin spend controls
6 plans
Free
Free
- Up to 2,000 completions/month
- Limited chat and agent mode
- Copilot CLI
Pro
$10/mo
- Unlimited completions
- Monthly AI credits
- Coding agent and code review
Pro+
$39/mo
- More AI credits
- Access to all models
Max
$100/mo
- For high-volume agent workflows
- Largest AI credit allowance
Business
$19/mo
- Per user
- Policy and license management
- IP indemnity
Enterprise
$39/mo
- Per user
- Enterprise controls
- Higher AI credit allowance
Prices in USD, checked Oct 28, 2026 or later. Plans change often, so confirm on each tool's site before you buy.
Pros and cons
Claude Code
- Strong at multi-step coding tasks
- Highly customizable with hooks and skills
- Works where you already code
- Usage limits on Pro plan
- Locked to Anthropic models
GitHub Copilot
- Works in almost every major editor
- Tight GitHub issue and PR integration
- Cheap entry plan
- Credit metering makes costs less predictable
- Best features need GitHub-hosted code
Which one should you choose?
Choose Claude Code if you want:
- Strong at multi-step coding tasks
- Highly customizable with hooks and skills
- Works where you already code
Watch out: usage limits on pro plan.
Choose GitHub Copilot if you want:
- Works in almost every major editor
- Tight GitHub issue and PR integration
- Cheap entry plan
Watch out: credit metering makes costs less predictable.
Claude Code vs GitHub Copilot FAQ
What is the difference between Claude Code and GitHub Copilot?
Claude Code: Anthropic's agentic coding tool for terminal, IDE and web. GitHub Copilot: GitHub's AI pair programmer for editors, CLI and pull requests. Both are coding tools.
Is Claude Code or GitHub Copilot cheaper?
GitHub Copilot has the lower starting price: about $10 a month, against $20 for Claude Code.
Do Claude Code and GitHub Copilot have free plans?
Claude Code: No. GitHub Copilot: Yes.
Who makes Claude Code?
Claude Code is made by Anthropic, based in United States.
Who makes GitHub Copilot?
GitHub Copilot is made by GitHub (Microsoft), based in United States.
Which should I choose, Claude Code or GitHub Copilot?
Choose Claude Code if you value strong at multi-step coding tasks and highly customizable with hooks and skills. Choose GitHub Copilot if you value works in almost every major editor and tight github issue and pr integration.