Tools / Coding

GitHub Copilot

Free plan

AI coding assistant inside your editor and on GitHub

GitHub Copilot suggests code as you type and offers chat, agent mode and code review in popular editors and on GitHub. Since June 2026, chat and agent features draw on monthly AI credits, while inline completions stay unlimited on paid plans. There is a free plan.

What freelancers use it for

  • →Speeding up routine code in client projects
  • →Getting a first review on pull requests before the client sees them
  • →Working inside the editor you already use
  • →Explaining legacy code in a project you took over

Key features

  • •Inline code completions
  • •Copilot Chat
  • •Agent mode
  • •Code review on pull requests
  • •Copilot CLI

Pros

  • +Low entry price
  • +Works in VS Code, JetBrains and other editors
  • +Tight integration with GitHub

Cons

  • −Usage-based credits make heavy agent use harder to predict
  • −Best experience assumes you host code on GitHub

GitHub Copilot alternatives