GitHub Giveaway! Copilot AI Coding Assistant Free Version Is Here – Developers, What Are You Waiting For?

Stuck while coding? GitHub Copilot AI Assistant now has a free version, built right into VS Code! Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned dev, you can now enjoy the convenience of AI-assisted coding. This significantly lowers the barrier to using AI tools. Let’s check out what the free version offers and how to get started!

Hey there, fellow coders and developer friends! Have you been blown away by GitHub’s latest big news? That’s right – the legendary GitHub Copilot, the so-called “AI co-pilot” that helps you write code, has just launched a free version! This is huge for the developer community.

In the past, using Copilot meant paying a $10 monthly subscription. While many felt it was worth it, it was still a hurdle for students, beginners, or anyone just curious to try it out.

But now, things have changed!

Big News: Copilot Is Now Free (in VS Code)!

Microsoft’s GitHub platform has officially announced that in the beloved code editor Visual Studio Code (VS Code for short), Copilot’s free version is now built-in by default!

You heard that right — the same Copilot that integrates directly into your editor, gives real-time code suggestions, and can even write entire functions for you. Honestly, this is a bold and generous move — putting a powerful AI tool right into the hands of more developers.

What Goodies Come with the Free Copilot?

Of course, the free version differs from the paid one. But GitHub has shown real sincerity with this offering — especially for everyday users and small projects. Here’s what the free version includes:

2,000 code completions per month: What does this mean? Every time the AI suggests code — whether you accept it or not — it counts toward the limit. For people who don’t code all day every day, this is actually a generous quota. More than enough for regular development, learning, or side projects.
Solid AI model support: The free version includes access to Anthropic’s Claude 3.5 Sonnet and OpenAI’s GPT-4o — both powerful models! While the paid version also includes advanced models like Claude 3.7 Sonnet and o1, the free models are still excellent.
Limited Copilot chat: In addition to code completion, you can also chat with Copilot! Ask it about code, get explanations, or request development advice. The free version includes 50 chat turns per month. It’s not a lot, but enough to get help or clarify concepts when you’re in a pinch.
Full extension support: This one’s important! The free Copilot supports all Copilot extensions. And it’s not just for VS Code — if you’re using Visual Studio, JetBrains IDEs like IntelliJ IDEA or PyCharm, you’re covered (as long as they support it).

So, who’s the free version best for?

If you are:

A beginner or student learning to code: You’ll benefit from AI guidance and references — the free version is a great companion.
An indie dev or coding hobbyist: For personal or occasional projects, the free quota might be more than enough.
A pro developer curious about AI: Still on the fence about AI coding tools? The free version is a no-risk way to try them out.

This Is More Than Free — It’s a Game-Changer!

As GitHub CEO Thomas Dohmke said, “The joy of software creation should have no barriers.” The release of Copilot’s free version is a huge step toward that goal. GitHub even has a grand vision: to enable one billion developers worldwide.

Think about who this impacts most:

Developers in emerging markets: In regions like South America, South Asia, or Africa, a $10 monthly fee could be a significant expense. This free version removes that economic barrier and gives more talented developers access to cutting-edge AI tools.
Students in education: Students can now learn and experiment with AI coding tools earlier and more easily. This not only accelerates their learning curve but helps them stay aligned with industry trends.

Cool! So, How Do I Start Using It?

Probably the most important question. Luckily, it’s super easy:

Download or update to the latest version of Visual Studio Code.
Copilot should now be pre-installed and enabled by default. (If not, just search GitHub Copilot in the VS Code Extensions Marketplace and install it manually.)
Sign in with your GitHub account.
Done! You should now see Copilot popping up with suggestions as you write code.

That’s it — no complicated setup required.

Free Is Great, but What’s the Difference from the Paid Version?

There’s no such thing as a free lunch, right? While the free version is awesome, compared to the paid versions (Copilot Pro or Copilot Business), here are the main differences:

Usage limits: Paid versions don’t have the 2,000 code completion or 50 chat message caps — you get unlimited usage.
AI models: Paid users get access to more and possibly stronger AI models (like Claude 3.7 Sonnet or o1).
Advanced features: Paid tiers may offer pro/enterprise features and integrations (e.g., custom settings, team management tools, depending on the plan).

So, if you’re a heavy user, a professional team, or need powerful, unlimited AI capabilities — the paid version might be better for you. But for everyone else, the free version is an amazing starting point.

What Are Other Players in the Market Doing?

Of course, Copilot isn’t the only AI coding assistant in town. Tools like Tabnine, Qodo (formerly Codium), and some of AWS’s offerings also provide free or partially free features.

But Copilot baking the free version directly into VS Code is a big deal — a real market shake-up. This could pressure other players to adjust their strategies. For users, this kind of competition usually means better services and prices. So hey — win-win!

What’s Next After Copilot Goes Free?

This free release isn’t just a tactical shift for GitHub — it may signal broader trends:

Faster growth of the developer community: With easier access, more people around the world may start coding.
AI-assisted coding becomes standard: Just like Git became the norm for version control, AI tools could become standard for programming workflows.
More innovation unlocked: Lower barriers mean more creative minds can bring their ideas to life — we might see a wave of new and exciting apps emerge.

In short, the launch of the free GitHub Copilot is fantastic news for the dev community. Whether you’re a veteran or a newcomer, you owe it to yourself to try this powerful AI sidekick. Who knows — it might make your development work smoother, smarter, and more fun. If you haven’t tried it yet, go update your VS Code now!