GitHub Copilot vs Continue.dev
Copilot is the polished, paid default. Continue.dev is the open-source extension that turns your editor into a BYO-model AI assistant. The right choice depends on whether you want zero-setup or full control.
At a glance
| GitHub Copilot | Continue.dev | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | $10/month Pro | Free (BYO API key) |
| License | Proprietary | Apache 2.0, open source |
| Editors | VS Code, JetBrains, Neovim, Visual Studio, Xcode | VS Code, JetBrains |
| Model choice | Claude, GPT, Gemini (Pro+ tiers) | Any: Claude, GPT, Gemini, DeepSeek, Ollama, local |
| Inline completions | Best-in-class | Good, depends on model |
| Chat | Polished UI | Polished UI |
| Codebase indexing | Workspace context | Configurable @-context providers |
| Privacy | No retention on Business+ | Whatever model provider you choose |
When to pick GitHub Copilot
- You want zero setup. Install, sign in, done. No API keys, no model choice, no fiddling.
- You're on a corporate plan. If your employer pays for Copilot, you already have it. Don't add complexity.
- You want the strongest completions. Copilot's inline ghost-text is still the smoothest in the industry.
- Editor breadth. Copilot in Xcode for iOS work is unmatched.
When to pick Continue.dev
- You want to use local models. Continue's first-class Ollama support means you can run Qwen 3 Coder or Llama 4 Maverick fully offline.
- You want the cheapest setup. Pair Continue with DeepSeek V4 Flash and you're at ~$5/month for the same workflow.
- You want privacy without paying enterprise rates. Continue + a self-hosted model = no code ever leaves your machine.
- You like to tinker. Custom context providers, custom slash commands, custom model routing.
The honest pick
Pick Copilot if your time is worth more than $10/month and you don't want to think about it. This is most professional devs.
Pick Continue.dev if you care about privacy, want local models, or want the cheapest setup. The "Open-Source / Privacy-First" and "Budget / Hobbyist" templates in Flowpicker both use Continue.
Continue.dev's flexibility means the rest of your stack matters more. Flowpicker shows the trade-offs.
Build your stack →