The two dominant AI coding assistants take different approaches. Cursor replaces your editor entirely; Copilot enhances VS Code. Here's which one will make you more productive.
| Feature | Cursor | GitHub Copilot |
|---|---|---|
| Approach | Full AI code editor | VS Code extension |
| Base Editor | VS Code fork | Works in VS Code Winner |
| Autocomplete | Excellent Winner | Excellent |
| Codebase Awareness | Full codebase chat Winner | Limited context |
| Multi-file Editing | Yes, from natural language Winner | Single file |
| Chat Interface | Built-in, codebase-aware Winner | Copilot Chat (good) |
| Free Tier | Limited free | Free for students/OSS Winner |
| Price | $20/month | $10/month Winner |
| AI Models | Multiple (GPT-4, Claude) Winner | GPT-4 based |
| Learning Curve | Minimal (VS Code based) | Minimal Winner |
| GitHub Integration | Basic | Deep integration Winner |
Choose Cursor if you want the most powerful AI coding experience with codebase-wide understanding and multi-file editing. Choose GitHub Copilot if you want solid autocomplete at half the price with deep GitHub integration. Cursor is the more capable tool; Copilot is the better value for developers who primarily need smart autocomplete.