Earl Grey
GitHub CopilotBlazon: deterministic coat-of-arms generator with Gemma-written mottos, built in one day
Limits comparison
GitHub Copilot vs Cursor
Plans, usage limits, what happens at the limit, model scores, real build spend and use cases, side by side.
Data checked · every row links its source
The verdict, from the data
GitHub Copilot is in our Editor assistants group, Cursor in AI IDEs.
Better for you if…
GitHub Copilot
- Publishes numeric usage limits on more plans (6 vs 0).
Better for you if…
Cursor
- Lower entry price: Plus at $8/mo vs GitHub Copilot Pro at $10/mo.
It depends
- Model scores: GitHub Copilot and Cursor let you pick models from several labs, so the score depends on the model you choose.
- Real-world spend: GitHub Copilot has 2 counted reports; we need 3 or more to show a range.
- Usage per dollar: the two tools meter usage in different units, so we don't rank them on it.
- Both have a free plan.
Each line is computed from our plan, score and cost data. It isn't a quality ranking. Data checked .
Latest models
GitHub CopilotMulti-model: you pick models from several labs. See the plan table for what each plan includes.
CursorMulti-model: you pick models from several labs. See the plan table for what each plan includes.
Release dates from the vendors' official pages, checked Oct 17, 2026. Older models are hidden from the score charts below.
Price
GitHub CopilotCursor
Plans and limits
GitHub Copilot
| Plan | Price | Included | Resets | At the limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | 2000 completions and 50 chat requests | Monthly | Upgrade only |
| Pro | $10/mo | 1,500 AI credits/mo (1,000 base + 500 flex) = $15 value; unlimited completions; 1 credit = $0.01 | Monthly | Usage-billed |
| Pro+ | $39/mo | 7,000 AI credits/mo (3,900 base + 3,100 flex); unlimited completions; 1 credit = $0.01 | Monthly | Usage-billed |
| Max | $100/mo | 20,000 AI credits/mo (10,000 base + 10,000 flex); unlimited completions; 1 credit = $0.01 | Monthly | Usage-billed |
| Business | $19/granted seat/mo | 1,900 AI credits per user/mo, pooled enterprise-wide | Monthly | Usage-billed |
| Enterprise | $39/granted seat/mo | 3,900 AI credits per user/mo, pooled | Monthly | Usage-billed |
Sources: github.com · docs.github.com · checked 2026-10-16
Cursor
| Plan | Price | Included | Resets | At the limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free partial | $0/mo | Agent and Chat with 'limited' usage (no numeric limit); Cursor models only, no third-party models | unverified (weekly refresh is documented for paid plans) | Not confirmed |
| Plus | $8/mo | Base weekly pool; Grok 4.7/4.6/4.5 + Composer 2.5 only; no Auto, Cloud Agents, Automations, Bugbot, Origin, third-party models or BYOK | Weekly | Buy a top-up |
| Premium | $30/mo | 4x Plus usage; third-party models at API list price | Weekly | Buy a top-up |
| Super | $100/mo | 15x Plus usage | Weekly | Buy a top-up |
| Ultra | $200/mo | 50x Plus usage | Weekly | Buy a top-up |
| Teams | $30, $100 or $200 per seat/mo | Each seat matches Premium/Super/Ultra weekly usage | Weekly | Buy a top-up |
| Enterprise partial | Custom | Pooled usage across Grok and Cursor; invoicing, SCIM, granular spend controls, audit logs | per contract | Not confirmed |
Sources: cursor.com · cursor.com · cursor.com · checked 2026-10-16
What builders say they spent
GitHub CopilotNot enough datan = 2 counted reports; a range needs 3
Cursor$130–$419median $200 · n = 3 · paid
Estimate from user reports, p25–p75. How costs are counted →
Use cases
@burkeholland
GitHub CopilotSmart home controller
@burkeholland
GitHub CopilotiPhone mirroring tool for Windows
Earl Grey
Cursor"Propina", a USD/MXN tip calculator for the Hacktoberfest/MLH Build a Mini App challenge. One prompt, one commit, live on GitHub Pages in 8 minutes
@chongdashu
CursorA multiplayer capture-the-flag 3D game "using Cursor" with Gemini 4 Argon
@sudoingX
CursorA Cursor agent running Opus 5.5 was blocked mid-deploy: "53 files edited … request blocked under anthropic's usage policy. no rule named"
FAQ
Is GitHub Copilot or Cursor cheaper?
GitHub Copilot's cheapest individual paid plan is Pro at $10/mo; Cursor's is Plus at $8/mo (checked 2026-10-16). Usage is metered differently, so cheaper doesn't mean more usage.
Does GitHub Copilot or Cursor have a free plan?
GitHub Copilot: yes (Free). Cursor: yes (Free).
What happens when you hit the limit on GitHub Copilot vs Cursor?
GitHub Copilot Pro: Usage-billed. Cursor Plus: Buy a top-up.
Which scores higher on coding benchmarks, GitHub Copilot or Cursor?
It depends on the model you use. At least one side is multi-model or both use the same model family, so the boards don't separate them.