Claude vs GitHub Copilot

Pricing, features, platforms and who each one suits — side by side.

Claude

AI assistant for chat, writing, coding, research and team work

Free · from $17/moVisit site

GitHub Copilot

AI coding assistant and agents for editors, terminal, desktop and GitHub

Free · from $10/moVisit site

Choose Claude if…

you need an API to build on
you work on Windows, Chrome
you're in its core audience: knowledge workers, software developers

Choose GitHub Copilot if…

you want the lower entry price ($10/mo vs $17/mo)
you work on VS Code, JetBrains
you're in its core audience: software developers, students and open source maintainers

Side by side

FeatureC

ClaudeG

GitHub Copilot

Pricing modelFreemiumFreemium

Starting price$17/mo$10/mo

Free plan

Free trial

API

Open source

PlatformsWeb, iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, Chrome, APIWeb, macOS, VS Code, JetBrains, iOS, Android

CategoryAI ChatbotsCode Assistants

CompanyAnthropic PBCGitHub, Inc.

Based inUnited StatesUnited States

Founded——

Part of——

Key features

C Claude

Chat with web search and memory
File creation and code execution
Artifacts, Slides, Docs and Design tools
Claude Code for software development
Projects for organizing work
Scheduled and handed-off tasks
Chrome, Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace integrations
Per-token API with batch discount

G GitHub Copilot

Inline code completion and next edit suggestions
Chat assistance in the IDE and on GitHub.com
Agent mode for proposing and validating edits
Cloud agents that work on issues in the background
Third-party agents including Claude Code and Codex
Choice of multiple LLMs
AI code review on pull requests
MCP server allow lists and audit logs

Plans and prices

From each vendor's site. Prices change — confirm before buying.

Claude

Free$0

Pro$20/mo or $17/mo billed yearly ($200)

MaxFrom $100/mo

Team Standard$25/seat/mo or $20/seat billed yearly

Team Premium$125/seat/mo or $100/seat billed yearly

Enterprise$20/seat billed yearly + usage at API rates

GitHub Copilot

Free$0

Pro$10

Pro+$39

Max$100

Business$19

Enterprise$39

Strengths and limitations

Claude

Free plan includes web search, code execution and memory
Apps for web, desktop, iOS and Android
Max plans include $100-$200/month in API credits
Enterprise plan offers a HIPAA-ready option and a Compliance API

Claude Code is not included in the free plan
Max plans are billed monthly only
Enterprise requires a 20-seat minimum
API is billed separately from chat plans

GitHub Copilot

Free plan with 2,000 completions a month, no credit card required
Works in many editors plus the CLI, a desktop app and GitHub
Supports third-party agents such as Claude Code and Codex
Business plans include IP indemnity and governance controls

Chat is only available in VS Code, JetBrains and Visual Studio, per the FAQ
Free, Pro and Pro+ interactions may be used for model training unless you opt out
Premium models such as Opus require the $39 Pro+ plan or higher