Picking between Cursor and GitHub Copilot isn’t just about model quality. It’s about the workflow each editor enables and the total cost once you’re coding every day. Here’s a straight‑shooting guide.
The short answer
- Copilot is the safest “just works” add‑on inside VS Code/JetBrains with great inline completions.
- Cursor is an editor built around agentic workflows: chat that edits files, multi‑file plans, and repo‑aware context.
- If you want minimal change: Copilot. If you want AI to actively refactor and orchestrate across files: Cursor.
Features you’ll actually feel
- Inline code completion: Both are fast and strong. Copilot is extremely consistent. Cursor can feel more assertive.
- Chat + edits: Copilot Chat sits in VS Code; Cursor Chat integrates deeper (apply patches, create files, run plans).
- Repo context: Cursor leans hard on project‑wide reasoning. Copilot can use the active context and chat references.
- Test‑first loops: Both can write tests; Cursor’s “apply and re‑run” is more agent‑like.
- Privacy & control: Enterprises may prefer Copilot’s Microsoft ecosystem integrations and policies.
Pricing (check sites for latest)
- GitHub Copilot Individual: typically ~$10/month; Business ~$19/month with policy controls and org features.
- Cursor: has a free tier with limits; paid tiers add higher context windows, more actions, and priority models.
Prices and quotas change frequently. Always verify current numbers on the official pricing pages.
Which should you choose?
- You live in VS Code or JetBrains and want great completions with minimal workflow change → Copilot.
- You want an AI first editor that can plan edits and modify multiple files → Cursor.
- Team rollout with governance → Copilot Business.
Final thought
Try both for a week on the same project. The “feel” matters more than any single benchmark. Your repo, your tests, your editor muscle memory—those decide the winner.
Last updated on August 9, 2025 at 7:00 AM UTC+7.
