The best GitHub Copilot alternatives in 2026

1. 1 CC

   Claude Code

   Anthropic's AI coding agent for terminal, IDE and desktop 8.8 +0.2 vs GitHub Copilot
   • More private +1.2
   • Worse value -1.0
   • More features +0.6

   Best for: Developers who want an agent to take on whole features, refactors and bug hunts

   GitHub Copilot vs Claude Code Read review
2. 2 Cx

   OpenAI Codex

   OpenAI's coding agent in ChatGPT, your terminal and IDE 8.7 +0.1 vs GitHub Copilot
   • Weaker design -0.4

   Best for: ChatGPT subscribers who want a capable coding agent at no extra cost

   GitHub Copilot vs OpenAI Codex Read review
3. 3

   Cursor

   AI-first code editor built on VS Code 8.6 0.0 vs GitHub Copilot
   • Worse value -2.0
   • More features +0.7
   • More private +0.4

   Best for: Developers who want AI help built into every part of their editor

   GitHub Copilot vs Cursor Read review
4. 4

   Visual Studio Code

   Free, extensible code editor for nearly every language 9.2 +0.6 vs GitHub Copilot
   • More private +1.0
   • Better value +0.9
   • More features +0.6
   • Better design +0.4

   Best for: Coders of any level who want one free editor for every language

   GitHub Copilot vs Visual Studio Code Read review
5. 5

   Zed

   A fast, open-source code editor built for AI and teams 9.1 +0.5 vs GitHub Copilot
   • More private +1.8
   • Faster +0.8

   Best for: Developers who want a quick, modern editor with AI and pair programming built in

   GitHub Copilot vs Zed Read review
6. 6

   GitHub

   Code hosting, pull requests and CI in one place 9.0 +0.4 vs GitHub Copilot
   • More features +0.8
   • More private +0.7
   • Better value +0.4

   Best for: Developers and teams who want hosting, code review and CI in one place

   GitHub Copilot vs GitHub Read review
7. 7

   Linear

   Fast, focused issue tracking for software teams 9.0 +0.4 vs GitHub Copilot
   • More private +1.4
   • Better design +1.0
   • Faster +0.6
   • Worse value -0.6

   Best for: Software teams who want fast, easy issue tracking and planning

   GitHub Copilot vs Linear Read review
8. 8

   Warp

   Modern AI-powered terminal for Mac, Windows and Linux 8.5 -0.1 vs GitHub Copilot
   • Worse value -0.8
   • More private +0.7
   • Slower -0.4

   Best for: Developers who want a modern terminal with AI help built in

   GitHub Copilot vs Warp Read review
9. 9

   Ghostty

   A fast, native, GPU-powered terminal for Mac and Linux 9.1 +0.5 vs GitHub Copilot
   • More private +3.0
   • Better value +0.9
   • Faster +0.8
   • Fewer features -0.7

   Best for: Developers on Mac or Linux who live in the terminal

   GitHub Copilot vs Ghostty Read review
10. 10

    Raycast

    Fast, extensible launcher that replaces Spotlight 9.0 +0.4 vs GitHub Copilot
    • More private +1.6
    • Better design +0.7
    • Faster +0.4
    • Worse value -0.4

    Best for: Mac power users and developers who live on the keyboard

    GitHub Copilot vs Raycast Read review
11. 11

    Docker Desktop

    Build and run containers locally on any desktop 8.0 -0.5 vs GitHub Copilot
    • Slower -1.8
    • Weaker design -1.0
    • Worse value -1.0
    • More private +0.9

    Best for: Developers who build and test apps in containers on their own computer

    GitHub Copilot vs Docker Desktop Read review
12. 12

    Postman

    API platform for testing, documenting and sharing APIs 7.7 -0.9 vs GitHub Copilot
    • Worse value -2.2
    • Slower -1.8
    • Weaker design -1.0

    Best for: API developers and QA teams who test and document APIs together

    GitHub Copilot vs Postman Read review

Guides with these apps

Cx 2CC 1GC 3 Developer Tools Best AI Coding Assistant in 2026: The Top 6 Agents You asked for one small fix. An hour later you're lost in a file nobody has touched in years. A good AI… Read the guide 2 1 3 Developer Tools The 6 Best Developer Tools for Mac in 2026 Your Mac is fast. The part where you dig through windows for the terminal again is not. Read the guide