GitHub Copilot
Inline code completion wired into the editors and the pull-request flow.
Copilot's completions are the least intrusive way to add AI to an existing workflow — it stays inside your editor, suggests the next few lines, and stays out of the way when you type past it. Chat and PR summaries extend it toward review.
It is also the cheapest credible option for students: GitHub's Student Developer Pack includes Copilot free with a verified .edu or college ID.
What it's genuinely good at
- Free for verified students via the Student Pack
- Works across VS Code, JetBrains, Neovim and Visual Studio
- Pull-request summaries save real review time
- Minimal workflow disruption
Where it falls apart
- Weaker at large multi-file refactors than agent-first editors
- Suggestions skew toward common patterns
- Enterprise policy can disable it without warning
Alternatives to GitHub Copilot
Who should use GitHub Copilot
- Students (free through the Student Pack)
- Teams standardised on GitHub
- Developers who want completion, not an agent
What it costs
Free for verified students and maintainers of popular open source; otherwise about $10/month individual, $19/user/month for business.
Frequently asked
How do students get Copilot free?
Apply to the GitHub Student Developer Pack with your college ID or institutional email; approval usually takes a few days.
Does Copilot train on my private code?
Business and Enterprise plans exclude your code from training by default; check the individual plan settings if you are on it.