GitHub Copilot vs Continue
A side-by-side look at GitHub Copilot and Continue for builders deciding which AI agent fits their stack.
GitHub Copilot vs Continue: the short version
GitHub Copilot — GitHub Copilot is the OG AI coding assistant. Trained on billions of lines of code, it autocompletes your thoughts before you finish typing them. The feature set: - Inline code suggestions as you type - Chat interface in VS Code and JetBrains - Copilot Workspace for agentic multi-file edits - Deep GitHub integration (issues, PRs, code review) It's the most widely adopted AI coding tool. Not the most powerful anymore, but the most polished. $10/month for individuals.
Continue — Continue is the open-source alternative to Copilot and Cursor. Full control, any model, no vendor lock-in. Key differentiators: - Use any LLM: Claude, GPT-4, Llama, Ollama, etc. - VS Code and JetBrains extensions - Custom slash commands and context providers - Self-host or use their cloud For teams that need flexibility or can't send code to third parties, Continue is the answer. Apache 2.0 licensed.
Frequently asked
Is GitHub Copilot better than Continue?
It depends on your stack. GitHub Copilot — Your AI pair programmer Continue — Open-source AI code assistant The right pick comes down to workflow fit, not a single winner.
What's the difference between GitHub Copilot and Continue?
GitHub Copilot is positioned as "Your AI pair programmer" while Continue is "Open-source AI code assistant". They overlap on Code Completion, Vscode, Jetbrains.
Can GitHub Copilot replace Continue?
For teams already invested in Continue's workflow, GitHub Copilot is worth trialing where Code Completion, Vscode, Jetbrains matters most. Many teams run both.