GitHub Copilot Free vs ChatGPT Free
Free vs Free: choose by included models and usage limits. API usage is separate.
| Compare | GitHub Copilot Free | ChatGPT Free |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly USD | Free | Free |
| Included models | GitHub Copilot automatic model selection | GPT-6 Luna, GPT-5.6 Terra, GPT-5 Thinking Mini, Codex |
| Billing | free | free |
| Verified · Monthly USD source · Included models source · How we verify → | ||
Same price · Updated 2026-11-12
Which one should you pick?
Pick GitHub Copilot Free if you want
- GitHub Copilot automatic model selection as your main model
- individual devs trying Microsoft Copilot
Pick ChatGPT Free if you want
- GPT-6 Luna as your main model
- web search
- image generation
Same price. Based on listed plan terms; check usage limits before upgrading.
| Attribute | GitHub Copilot Free | ChatGPT Free |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Best for | Individual devs trying Copilot | Trying ChatGPT for everyday chat |
| Usage | 2,000 completions/mo | Base allowance |
| Billing | free | free |
| Audience | developer | consumer |
| Models | GitHub Copilot automatic model selection | GPT-6 Luna, GPT-5.6 Terra, GPT-5 Thinking Mini, Codex |
| Key perks | 2,000 completions/mo; Agent mode in IDEs; Automatic model choice | GPT-6 Luna chats; Search & file uploads; Limited Codex on desktop |
| Context window | Not fixed per plan | Not fixed per plan |
| Web search | Not listed | Yes |
| Image generation | Not listed | Yes |
| Coding agent | Yes | Yes |
| File uploads & analysis | Not listed | Yes |
| Verified | Price 2026-11-12 · models 2026-11-12 | Price 2026-11-12 · models 2026-11-12 |
✓ listed in the provider's current plan terms · — not listed (may still be available) · Pricing data: How we verify →
Usage limits in full
- GitHub Copilot Free
- For individual developers without an organization or enterprise Copilot seat. 2,000 inline suggestions per month; limited chat and agent usage with automatic model selection only. No fixed AI-credit amount is published. Current documentation uses an AI-credit allowance; no fixed chat quota is promised.
- ChatGPT Free
- GPT-6 Luna for everyday chats; GPT-5.6 Terra has limited access in Work and Codex on desktop. Text chats are unlimited subject to abuse guardrails; tool, upload, image, voice, and research limits vary by plan.
Everything each plan lists
Only in GitHub Copilot Free
- +CLI
- +Agent mode use in VS Code, Visual Studio, JetBrains, Eclipse, and Xcode
- +Integrates with MCP servers
- +Copilot Spaces
Only in ChatGPT Free
- +GPT-6 Luna text chats
- +limited Codex and ChatGPT Work access on desktop
- +search
- +file uploads and image creation with plan limits
How to decide
Same price. Picking between GitHub Copilot Free and ChatGPT Free usually comes down to three things: which models you want access to, how much you'll actually use, and what ecosystem you already live in. Still unsure? The Subscription vs API calculator tells you the break-even usage where pay-as-you-go API access would be cheaper than either subscription.
Frequently asked questions
What is the price difference between GitHub Copilot Free and ChatGPT Free?
GitHub Copilot Free and ChatGPT Free are both priced at Free per month, so cost is not a deciding factor — pick based on included models and feature fit.
Which AI models are included with GitHub Copilot Free vs ChatGPT Free?
GitHub Copilot Free bundles GitHub Copilot automatic model selection. ChatGPT Free bundles GPT-6 Luna, GPT-5.6 Terra, GPT-5 Thinking Mini, Codex. The model lineup is usually the most important factor — pick the plan whose flagship models match the work you actually do.
Is GitHub Copilot Free or ChatGPT Free better value for power users?
Both plans are priced the same, so value comes down to feature depth and model access — see the "Only in" lists above.
Can I switch between GitHub Copilot Free and ChatGPT Free?
Check each provider's billing terms before switching. Monthly, annual and per-seat commitments can differ; cancellation usually stops renewal rather than refunding the current period.