GitHub Copilot vs Windsurf (Devin Desktop)

GitHub Copilot and Windsurf (Devin Desktop) are both AI Coding tools (AI Code Editors). Below: what each costs, what it does well, its biggest catches, and who should pick which, all from public sources rather than our own testing.

Renamed: Windsurf is now Devin Desktop. Cognition renamed the editor, and windsurf.com now redirects to devin.ai/desktop. Sources: [1] [2]

Side by side

GitHub CopilotWindsurf (Devin Desktop) Renamed
CategoryAI Programming · Smart ProgrammingAI Coding Assistants · Code Editors
PricingFree tier: yes. Pro $10/mo, Pro+ $39/mo, Max $100/mo (credit-based since Jun 1, 2026). (checked Oct 10, 2026)Free tier: yes. Pro $20/mo. Teams from $80/mo ($40 full seats). (Third-party reports) (checked Oct 11, 2026)
Pros
  • There's a free plan, and autocomplete stays free under the new billing
  • Pro is $10/mo, among the cheapest ways into AI coding inside your existing editor
  • Agent mode, code review and a CLI all live inside GitHub
  • Free plan with unlimited Tab completions and inline edits
  • Pro at $20/mo shares quotas across Desktop, CLI and cloud agents
  • Runs local and cloud coding agents from one editor
Catches
  • Moved to token-based 'GitHub AI Credits' on June 1, 2026. Chat and agent work can use up a month's allowance in days
  • Developers report billing shock and call the credit model a downgrade for Pro users
  • Costs now depend on which model you pick and how many tokens it uses, so they're harder to predict
  • Over-quota usage is pay-as-you-go and hard to predict
  • Reviewers report inconsistent agent quality
  • The rebrands (Codeium, Windsurf, Devin Desktop) make docs and plans confusing
Best forDevelopers who mostly want inline autocomplete in their current IDE.Developers who want an agent-centric editor with a usable free tier.
Skip it ifYou lean heavily on agent mode and need a predictable bill.You need fixed monthly AI costs.

Which should you pick?

Pick GitHub Copilot if…

you fit this: developers who mostly want inline autocomplete in their current IDE.

But not if: you lean heavily on agent mode and need a predictable bill.

Watch out for: Moved to token-based 'GitHub AI Credits' on June 1, 2026. Chat and agent work can use up a month's allowance in days.

Pick Windsurf (Devin Desktop) if…

you fit this: developers who want an agent-centric editor with a usable free tier.

But not if: you need fixed monthly AI costs.

Watch out for: Over-quota usage is pay-as-you-go and hard to predict.

More options

Sources

GitHub Copilot

Windsurf (Devin Desktop)

Pros, catches and prices are compiled from public sources (official pricing and docs pages, published reviews, user reports), not hands-on testing. Prices change often, so check the vendor page before you buy.