# GitHub Copilot alternatives for work: 6 tools compared > Good GitHub Copilot alternatives are Cursor for an AI code editor that edits across your whole project from chat, Claude Code for a coding agent in your… Source: https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/ai-tools/alternatives/github-copilot · Updated 2026-10-20 · Free from Stepthrough (https://learn.ynteractive.com) Updated October 20, 2026 · By [Robert Breen](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/about) Good GitHub Copilot alternatives are Cursor for an AI code editor that edits across your whole project from chat, Claude Code for a coding agent in your terminal and editor, Windsurf for an AI-native editor with an agent that understands your codebase, Gemini Code Assist for Google's coding assistant in your editor, Tabnine for a private assistant that can run on your own servers, and Replit for building and hosting apps in the browser from a description. ## Why look for a GitHub Copilot alternative GitHub Copilot is an AI pair programmer that suggests code as you type, explains it and fixes bugs, with an agent mode, a cloud agent that opens pull requests and code review on GitHub.com. People look elsewhere when they want an editor built around AI from the start, an agent that works from the terminal, code that stays on their own servers, or a way to build an app without setting up a local environment. See [what GitHub Copilot does](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/ai-tools/tool/github-copilot). ## The 6 best GitHub Copilot alternatives 1. ### [Cursor](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/ai-tools/tool/cursor) Free plan *Best for:* An AI code editor that edits across your whole project from chat. An AI code editor that writes and edits code across your whole project from chat. *Key features:* Agent that plans and edits code across a whole project from chat; Cloud agents that run in parallel and return work for review; Pull request review on GitHub. 2. ### [Claude Code](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/ai-tools/tool/claude-code) Paid *Best for:* A coding agent that works in your terminal and editor. Anthropic’s coding agent that works in your terminal and editor to build, fix and explain code. *Key features:* Maps and explains a codebase without you picking files by hand; Turns issues into pull requests with GitHub, GitLab and command-line tools; Runs in the terminal, VS Code, JetBrains, the web, desktop and mobile apps. [Free lesson: Install Skills in Claude Code: the Skills Folder and a Plugin…](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/install-skills-in-claude-code) 3. ### [Windsurf](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/ai-tools/coding-developer#tool-windsurf) Free plan *Best for:* An AI-native code editor with an agent that understands your codebase. An AI-native code editor with an agent that understands your codebase. 4. ### [Gemini Code Assist](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/ai-tools/coding-developer#tool-gemini-code-assist) Free plan *Best for:* Google's AI coding assistant for editors, free for individuals. Google’s AI coding assistant for editors, free for individuals. 5. ### [Tabnine](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/ai-tools/coding-developer#tool-tabnine) Free trial *Best for:* A private AI coding assistant that can run on your own servers. A private AI coding assistant that can run on your own servers. 6. ### [Replit](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/ai-tools/tool/replit) Free plan *Best for:* Building and hosting apps in the browser from a description. Build and host apps in the browser, with an AI agent that writes the code from a description. *Key features:* Agent that builds and updates apps from a plain-language description; Plan mode to map out work before building (Core plan and up); Built-in hosting, authentication, monitoring and database. ## How to choose Start with where you work. If you live in an editor, compare AI editors and plug-ins on how well they handle a whole project, not just one file. If you prefer the terminal, a terminal agent fits better. Companies with strict rules on code leaving the network should look at self-hosted options. Non-developers building a first app will find a browser builder easier. ## Frequently asked questions **Is there a free GitHub Copilot alternative?** Cursor, Windsurf, Gemini Code Assist and Replit have a free plan. Tabnine offers a free trial. Claude Code is paid. Free plans come with limits, so check what each one includes before you switch. **Which GitHub Copilot alternative keeps code on my own servers?** Tabnine is a private AI coding assistant that can run on your own servers. Descriptions were checked against each vendor’s own site on October 20, 2026. No tool paid to be on this list. Spotted something out of date? Email [rbreen@ynteractive.com](mailto:rbreen@ynteractive.com). 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