# GitHub Copilot vs Kilo Code

> GitHub Copilot: AI coding assistant for code completion, chat and cloud agents across IDEs, terminal and GitHub
> Kilo Code: Open-source AI coding agent for VS Code, JetBrains and CLI with 500+ models

- GitHub Copilot profile: https://finderatlas.com/tools/github-copilot
- Kilo Code profile: https://finderatlas.com/tools/kilo-code
- Comparison page: https://finderatlas.com/compare/github-copilot-vs-kilo-code
- Last reviewed: November 2026

## Verdict

GitHub Copilot and Kilo Code are both Coding AI tools. GitHub Copilot scores higher in FinderAtlas's editorial review (8.6 vs 8.0 out of 10). Both have a free plan or trial. Only Kilo Code is available on Windows, iOS and Android.

### Choose GitHub Copilot if

- You want a tool built for inline code completion in popular IDEs.
- Works in VS Code, Visual Studio, JetBrains, Xcode, Neovim and Eclipse, plus the terminal and GitHub.com.
- Free plan with 2,000 inline suggestions and agent mode, and Pro at $10 per month.

### Choose Kilo Code if

- You want a tool built for developers who want to choose their own models and providers, pay provider rates without markup, and keep an auditable open-source agent inside their existing IDE.
- MIT-licensed and open source, with a public GitHub repository of more than 27,000 stars.
- Access to 500+ models across 60+ providers with no stated inference markup.

## Pricing

| | GitHub Copilot | Kilo Code |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Free plan or trial | Yes | Yes |
| Starting price | $0 | $0 |

## Features

| Feature | GitHub Copilot | Kilo Code |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Code completions | Yes | Not listed |
| Copilot Chat | Yes | Not listed |
| Agent mode | Yes | Not listed |
| Cloud agent | Yes | Not listed |
| Third-party agents | Yes | Not listed |
| Copilot code review | Yes | Not listed |
| Copilot CLI | Yes | Not listed |
| Model choice | Yes | Not listed |
| Custom agents and MCP | Yes | Not listed |
| Copilot Spaces | Yes | Not listed |
| Multi-Environment Agent | Not listed | Yes |
| 500+ Models | Not listed | Yes |
| Auto Model | Not listed | Yes |
| Specialised Modes | Not listed | Yes |
| MCP Support | Not listed | Yes |
| Cloud Agents and Code Review | Not listed | Yes |
| Parallel Agent Management | Not listed | Yes |
| Mobile Companion App | Not listed | Yes |
| Open Source and Transparent | Not listed | Yes |

## Platforms

| Platform | GitHub Copilot | Kilo Code |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | No | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | No | Yes |
| Android | No | Yes |
| API | No | No |
| Browser Extension | No | No |
| VS Code Extension | Yes | Yes |
| JetBrains Plugin | Yes | Yes |
| CLI | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | No | Yes |
| Slack App | No | Yes |

## GitHub Copilot strengths

- Works in VS Code, Visual Studio, JetBrains, Xcode, Neovim and Eclipse, plus the terminal and GitHub.com
- Free plan with 2,000 inline suggestions and agent mode, and Pro at $10 per month
- Cloud agent turns assigned tasks into pull requests inside GitHub
- Models from several vendors can be chosen, including Claude and GPT models
- Business and Enterprise add policy control and audit logs, and their data is not used for training

## GitHub Copilot limitations

- Chat and agent use is credit-based, so heavy use can exceed the monthly allowance
- Premium models and third-party agents need Pro+ at $39 per month or higher
- Free, Pro and Pro+ interaction data may be used for training unless the user opts out
- Not available for GitHub Enterprise Server

## Kilo Code strengths

- MIT-licensed and open source, with a public GitHub repository of more than 27,000 stars.
- Access to 500+ models across 60+ providers with no stated inference markup.
- Works in VS Code, JetBrains and the terminal, plus cloud agents, Slack and mobile.
- Supports bring-your-own-key and local models, which avoids lock-in to one provider.
- Teams plan is $15 per user per month with shared agents and analytics.

## Kilo Code limitations

- Costs are usage-based, so spend is less predictable than a flat subscription.
- A 5% processing fee applies to credit purchases.
- Trustpilot reviewers report billing and refund disputes, including an unexpected renewal charge and a declined refund on purchased credits.
- The desktop app is in beta, and some reviewers cite bugs and rate-limit issues.

## FAQ

**Is GitHub Copilot better than Kilo Code?**

It depends on your workflow. GitHub Copilot is built for inline code completion in popular IDEs. Kilo Code is built for developers who want to choose their own models and providers, pay provider rates without markup, and keep an auditable open-source agent inside their existing IDE.

**What are the key feature differences between GitHub Copilot and Kilo Code?**

GitHub Copilot: AI coding assistant for code completion, chat and cloud agents across IDEs, terminal and GitHub. Kilo Code: Open-source AI coding agent for VS Code, JetBrains and CLI with 500+ models.

**Does GitHub Copilot or Kilo Code have a free plan?**

Yes, both do. GitHub Copilot is freemium and Kilo Code is freemium, and each has a free plan or trial.

**Which is cheaper, GitHub Copilot or Kilo Code?**

Both can be used for free. Paid plans differ in limits and features, so compare the tiers in the pricing table above.