Keywords AI

GitHub Copilot vs Windsurf

Compare GitHub Copilot and Windsurf side by side. Both are tools in the Coding Agents category.

Quick Comparison

	GitHub Copilot	Windsurf
Category	Coding Agents	Coding Agents
Pricing	Freemium	Freemium
Best For	Professional developers who want AI-powered code completion integrated into their IDE	Developers who want an AI-enhanced code editor with strong autocomplete
Website	github.com	codeium.com
Key Features	Inline code completion Chat-based coding assistance Multi-file context awareness Workspace agent for complex tasks VS Code, JetBrains, Neovim support	AI-powered code editor Flows for multi-file editing Supercomplete context-aware completion Built-in AI chat Extension marketplace
Use Cases	Real-time code autocomplete Explaining and documenting code Writing tests and boilerplate Multi-file refactoring tasks Pull request descriptions and reviews	AI-assisted code writing Multi-file code changes Code explanation and debugging Rapid prototyping Learning new codebases

When to Choose GitHub Copilot vs Windsurf

Choose GitHub Copilot if you need

Real-time code autocomplete
Explaining and documenting code
Writing tests and boilerplate

Pricing: Freemium

Choose Windsurf if you need

AI-assisted code writing
Multi-file code changes
Code explanation and debugging

Pricing: Freemium

How to Choose a Coding Agents Tool

Key criteria to evaluate when comparing Coding Agents solutions:

IDE integrationWhich editors and IDEs are supported — VS Code, JetBrains, Neovim, etc.

Autonomy levelAutocomplete vs chat-assisted vs fully autonomous code generation and execution.

Codebase awarenessHow well the tool understands your full project context, not just the current file.

Language supportQuality of suggestions across your primary programming languages.

Privacy and securityWhether code leaves your machine, data retention policies, and enterprise controls.

About GitHub Copilot

GitHub Copilot is the most widely used AI coding assistant, integrated into VS Code, JetBrains, and other IDEs. Powered by OpenAI's Codex and GPT-4, Copilot provides inline code suggestions, chat-based coding assistance, and increasingly autonomous code generation capabilities. Copilot Workspace enables multi-file editing and task planning, moving toward fully autonomous software engineering. With millions of users, Copilot has fundamentally changed how developers write code.

View GitHub Copilot profile →Visit website

About Windsurf

Windsurf (by Codeium) is an AI-powered IDE that combines copilot-style code completion with agentic multi-file editing capabilities. It features Cascade, a deep context engine that understands your codebase and can autonomously plan and execute multi-step coding tasks. Windsurf supports all major programming languages and provides both inline suggestions and chat-based coding assistance.

View Windsurf profile →Visit website

What is Coding Agents?

AI-powered developer tools that can write, review, debug, and refactor code—ranging from IDE copilots to fully autonomous software engineering agents.

Browse all Coding Agents tools →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a coding agent?▾

A coding agent is an AI tool that helps write, debug, review, and refactor code. They range from autocomplete tools to fully autonomous agents that can implement entire features, run tests, and submit pull requests.

Will coding agents replace developers?▾

No, but they significantly increase developer productivity. Coding agents handle routine implementation and debugging, freeing developers to focus on architecture, design decisions, and complex problem-solving.

How do I choose between GitHub Copilot, Cursor, and Claude Code?▾

GitHub Copilot is best for inline autocomplete and broad IDE support. Cursor provides the deepest codebase-aware chat experience. Claude Code excels at autonomous multi-file tasks from the terminal. Many developers use multiple tools.