Continue vs GitHub Copilot (2026)
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Continue
Continue is an open-source AI code assistant that integrates into VS Code and JetBrains, letting you use any LLM as your coding assistant.
Get Pricing →GitHub Copilot
GitHub Copilot is an AI coding assistant that suggests code completions and entire functions directly in your editor.
Get Pricing →Pros
- ✓Open source and free
- ✓Use any LLM including local models
- ✓Good IDE integration
- ✓Privacy-friendly local model option
Cons
- ✗Requires LLM API keys
- ✗Less polished than Copilot
- ✗Setup required
Pros
- ✓Best code completion in class
- ✓Supports all major languages
- ✓Deep VS Code integration
- ✓Chat feature for explanations
Cons
- ✗Requires internet connection
- ✗Can suggest outdated code
- ✗Privacy concerns for some teams
Our Take
Choose Continue if privacy-conscious developers who want to use their own llm with ai coding assistance. Choose GitHub Copilot if developers who want ai code suggestions directly in their editor.