GitHub Copilot vs Amazon CodeWhisperer [My Honest Review]
AI coding assistants are changing how developers work, but which is best for you? I spent weeks using GitHub Copilot and Amazon CodeWhisperer in real projects. Here’s my unfiltered, hands-on comparison—features, pros/cons, actual results, and my personal verdict.
What Are These Tools? Quick Overview
GitHub Copilot
- Developed by GitHub & Microsoft (powered by OpenAI Codex).
- Suggests code, functions, and even entire files as you type.
- Integrates natively with VS Code, JetBrains, and Neovim.
- Supports 10+ languages (Python, JS, TypeScript, Go, etc.).
- Paid: $10/month (first 30 days free).
- Official Site
Amazon CodeWhisperer
- Built by Amazon, optimised for AWS environments.
- AI code suggestions, with a strong focus on security.
- Works with VS Code, JetBrains, AWS Cloud9, and more.
- Supports major languages (Python, JS, Java, C#, etc.).
- Free for personal use. Paid for enterprise.
- Official Site
Feature Comparison Table
| Feature | Copilot | CodeWhisperer |
|---|---|---|
| IDE Integration | VS Code, JetBrains, Neovim | VS Code, JetBrains, Cloud9, others |
| Language Support | 10+ (broadest) | Major languages |
| AWS integration | Limited | Deep, native |
| Security Scanning | Basic | Advanced (flagging secrets, vulnerabilities) |
| Pricing (individuals) | $10/mo | Free |
My Real-World Experience (The Honest Truth)
I tried both tools for two weeks on real client projects (Python, Node.js, and a bit of Java). Copilot felt like magic—sometimes writing entire functions from a single comment, adapting to my coding style. CodeWhisperer was less “intuitive” but shined when I worked with AWS Lambda, S3, and infrastructure-as-code; its security warnings actually caught a secret in my code! Copilot seemed more creative, while CodeWhisperer was stricter and safer. If you want raw speed and creative code, Copilot is a blast. If you want peace of mind and AWS synergy, CodeWhisperer wins.
Pros & Cons
Copilot Pros
- Best-in-class AI suggestions (completes whole code blocks).
- Quickly adapts to your coding habits.
- Excellent for rapid prototyping and learning new APIs.
Copilot Cons
- Paid after trial.
- Occasionally suggests code with subtle bugs.
- Basic security checks only.
CodeWhisperer Pros
- Completely free for personal use.
- Security scanning is top-notch (finds secrets and vulnerabilities).
- Deep AWS integration; suggests code for AWS SDKs, Lambda, etc.
CodeWhisperer Cons
- Less “creative” with general coding tasks.
- UI/UX is less polished than Copilot.
- The best value is for AWS-heavy developers.
My Verdict: Which Should You Pick?
If you care most about speed, creativity, and language coverage, Copilot is worth every dollar—especially if you use VS Code. If you work in the AWS ecosystem or want the best free, secure AI assistant, CodeWhisperer is unbeatable. I personally use Copilot for general dev and switch to CodeWhisperer in AWS projects or when I want an extra layer of security.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is GitHub Copilot free?
Does CodeWhisperer support all programming languages?
Is it safe to use AI coding assistants for company code?
Can I use both tools at the same time?
Comments & Feedback
Have you tried Copilot or CodeWhisperer? Share your experience, questions, or feedback below. 👇