Codeium vs GitHub Copilot: Best AI Coding Assistant in 2025
Which AI coding tool gives developers the edge in 2025—the free Codeium or the paid GitHub Copilot? After testing both inside VS Code, here’s my full breakdown.
🔵 Codeium
- Free AI code completion tool
- Supports 40+ programming languages
- Fast real-time autocomplete
- Easy to install on VS Code & JetBrains
- No sign-up needed
- Official Website
🔴 GitHub Copilot
- Paid AI code assistant by GitHub & OpenAI
- Deep GitHub & repo integration
- Trained on massive public codebase
- Supports many IDEs & Git CLI
- Includes Copilot Chat in Pro plan
- Official Website
⚙️ Feature-by-Feature Comparison
| Feature | Codeium | GitHub Copilot |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free | Paid (Free Trial) |
| Integration | VS Code, JetBrains | VS Code, JetBrains, GitHub CLI |
| Code Suggestions | Fast & accurate | Context-aware & deep |
| Learning Curve | Easy for beginners | Best for GitHub users |
| Extra Features | Lightweight plugin | Copilot Chat, Team plans |
💡 My Honest Experience
I used both tools inside Visual Studio Code. Codeium was surprisingly fast and didn’t require login, which was great for quick tests. GitHub Copilot, on the other hand, felt smarter in larger projects and worked flawlessly with GitHub-hosted repos.
🏁 Final Verdict
If you want a powerful, free AI coding assistant, Codeium is perfect for most tasks. But if you work daily on GitHub and want better integration and team tools, GitHub Copilot is worth the investment.
❓ FAQ
Is Codeium 100% free?
Yes. It offers all features without charge or sign-up.
Does GitHub Copilot offer a trial?
Yes, GitHub Copilot has a 30-day free trial for new users.
Which is better for solo developers?
Codeium is great for individuals and students. Copilot is better for GitHub-centric workflows and teams.
Article by: Eng. Ali HASHEM