What is GitHub Copilot?

AI pair programmer by GitHub that suggests code completions and functions in your editor.

GitHub Copilot has positioned itself as a noteworthy player in the Code & Development category. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just getting started with AI tools, GitHub Copilot aims to make your workflow more efficient and productive.

In this review, I'll walk through the key features, weigh the pros against the cons, break down the pricing, and give you my honest verdict after extensive hands-on testing.

Key Features

  • Automated code review and bug detection
  • Test case generation and coverage analysis
  • Natural language to code translation
  • Integration with popular IDEs and development workflows
  • Documentation generation from codebase analysis

Pros & Cons

🟢 Pros

  • ✓ Supports a wide range of programming languages
  • ✓ Significantly increases coding productivity
  • ✓ Catches potential bugs before they become problems
  • ✓ Helpful for learning new languages and frameworks
  • ✓ Accurate code suggestions that understand context

🔴 Cons

  • ✗ Occasional hallucinations in code suggestions
  • ✗ Can suggest deprecated or insecure code patterns
  • ✗ May not understand proprietary codebases fully
  • ✗ Subscription cost may be high for individual developers

Pricing

GitHub Copilot is a paid tool with pricing that reflects its professional-grade capabilities. Most plans offer monthly and annual billing options, with the annual plan typically offering significant savings.

Who is GitHub Copilot Best For?

GitHub Copilot is best suited for data scientists who need reliable AI assistance in their daily work. It also works well for software developers and tech leads who want to leverage AI to improve their output and efficiency.

My Verdict

GitHub Copilot is a solid choice among Code & Development tools I've reviewed. It delivers on its core promises and the AI technology powering it has noticeably improved over the past year.

Is it right for everyone? Not necessarily — your specific needs and budget will determine that. But for users who fit its target profile, GitHub Copilot can be a genuine productivity multiplier. I recommend it, with the caveat that you should take advantage of any free trial to see if it fits your workflow.