About GitHub Copilot
GitHub Copilot is like having a coding buddy who never gets tired of helping you out. This AI-driven tool works directly within popular code editors such as Visual Studio Code, JetBrains, and Neovim, providing intelligent code suggestions, generating entire functions, and even whipping up unit tests. It’s powered by OpenAI’s advanced models, which have been trained on a massive dataset of code, allowing Copilot to offer contextually relevant completions. This means that whether you’re writing JavaScript, Python, or even assembly, Copilot is there to suggest lines of code that make sense in your current context.
What really impressed me during my testing was how well Copilot understands the nuances of coding. It doesn't just spit out random code snippets; it takes into account what you've already written and builds on that. For instance, when I was coding a simple API in Express, Copilot suggested a complete route handler based on my previous code. It saved me from having to look up the syntax and think through the implementation details, which is a real time-saver, especially during late-night coding sessions.
However, let’s talk about the pricing. The individual plan is set at $10 a month or $100 a year, which isn’t outrageous, but it’s not exactly pocket change either. For teams, the costs ramp up quickly, with the business plan priced at $19 per user per month and the enterprise plan hitting $39. That said, students can take advantage of a free version, which is a lovely touch that might help budding developers get a leg up.
In my experience, GitHub Copilot is best suited for developers who are comfortable with writing code and want to speed up their workflow. If you're just starting out and don’t have a solid grasp of programming concepts, you might find yourself relying too heavily on Copilot's suggestions, which could hinder your learning. On the flip side, seasoned developers will appreciate the ability to focus on solving complex problems rather than getting bogged down by boilerplate code, making it a worthwhile investment for teams looking to enhance their coding efficiency.
Our Review
Verified 11 May 2026Reviewed by Delv Editorial, Delv Team
When I first got my hands on GitHub Copilot, I was sceptical about whether an AI could really improve my coding experience. But after a few hours of trying it out, I found myself genuinely impressed. The tool integrates smoothly with Visual Studio Code, and as I wrote a simple web app, Copilot was right there, suggesting code snippets that saved me a lot of time. I mean, who wouldn’t want to skip the endless Googling for syntax?
One of the standout features is its ability to understand the context of what you’re working on. For instance, I was in the middle of writing a function to handle user authentication, and Copilot not only suggested the function structure but also included the necessary error handling. This level of contextual awareness is a real boon for developers who want to focus on solving problems rather than getting bogged down in the minutiae of coding.
That said, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. I noticed that sometimes the suggestions were a bit off-the-mark, particularly when I was working with less common libraries. This meant I still had to double-check the code, which could be a bit frustrating, especially when I was on a deadline. Plus, if you’re new to programming, relying too much on Copilot could lead you to miss out on learning important concepts.
In terms of pricing, while $10 a month isn’t outrageous for individuals, it can become quite expensive for teams, especially those just starting out. The tiered pricing structure is something to consider if you’re running a small development shop. In comparison to alternatives like Tabnine or Kite, Copilot feels more integrated into the coding process, but those options might be better for developers looking for something more tailored to their specific needs.
Ultimately, I think GitHub Copilot is a fantastic tool for experienced developers who want to enhance their productivity. If you’re just starting out, you might want to tread carefully and ensure you’re not leaning on it too heavily. But for those who can balance its assistance with their own coding skills, it’s definitely worth a try.
Getting started with GitHub Copilot
In this guide, you'll learn how to set up GitHub Copilot and use it to enhance your coding experience. By the end, you'll be able to receive intelligent code suggestions directly within your code editor.
Step 1: Sign up and set up
Step 2: Your first code suggestion
Step 3: Get better results
Pro tip
Use the "Copilot" tab that appears in the UI after you start typing. This will give you a list of suggestions and allow you to cycle through them more easily.
Common mistake to avoid
Avoid being vague in your comments or code. For instance, if you write `// do something`, Copilot may not provide useful suggestions. Always aim to provide clear context for better results.
The Verdict
I highly recommend GitHub Copilot for seasoned developers looking to speed up their coding process and reduce the tedium of repetitive tasks. However, if you're a complete beginner, you might want to skip it for now and focus on building your coding skills first. Overall, it's a solid investment for those ready to take their development to the next level.
Best For
- Experienced developers who want to enhance their coding efficiency.
- Freelancers juggling multiple projects who need quick solutions.
- Students learning to code who can benefit from practical code examples.
- Teams striving for high coding standards and error reduction.
- Data scientists looking for help with scripting and data processing.
- Web developers aiming to speed up their development workflow.
At a Glance
GitHub Copilot acts like your AI-powered coding partner, providing intelligent code suggestions directly in your editor. It's particularly useful for speeding up development workflows and generating code snippets in various programming languages. However, it might not be ideal for complete novices who need to build their coding skills.
Strengths
- +The context-aware suggestions are genuinely helpful, allowing developers to write code faster without constantly referring to documentation.
- +It supports a wide range of programming languages, making it versatile for various projects, whether you're into web development or data science.
- +The integration with popular code editors like Visual Studio Code and JetBrains makes it easy to incorporate into existing workflows.
- +The ability to generate entire functions and even tests can significantly reduce the time spent on repetitive coding tasks.
- +The free access for students is a fantastic initiative that provides educational opportunities for budding developers.
- +Copilot adapts to your coding style over time, which means its suggestions become more relevant as you use it.
Limitations
- -The pricing can add up quickly for teams, potentially making it less accessible for smaller development shops or independent developers.
- -While it’s great for suggestions, Copilot can sometimes produce incorrect or inefficient code, meaning you still need to review everything it generates.
- -It may encourage reliance on AI for coding, which could hinder learning for beginners who might not grasp the fundamentals if they lean too heavily on suggestions.
- -The mobile functionality is virtually non-existent since it’s primarily designed for desktop environments, which may limit use cases for developers on the go.
- -Occasionally, the suggestions can feel generic or not entirely aligned with the specific libraries or frameworks you may be using.
Use Cases
- -Web developers looking to speed up their coding process by generating boilerplate code and API endpoints without breaking a sweat.
- -Data scientists who need to quickly write data processing scripts and minimise the time spent on repetitive coding tasks.
- -Freelance developers who often work on multiple projects and need a reliable assistant to help manage their time effectively.
- -Team leads who want to maintain high coding standards and reduce errors by suggesting code snippets that adhere to best practices.
- -Students learning to code who can benefit from seeing practical implementations of code as they write their own.
- -Developers working on legacy codebases who need help understanding and refactoring complex functions.
