GitHub Copilot alternatives
Killing $10/mo (~$120/yr) — here are 2 verified escapes, honest trade-offs included.
the answer medium migration
Continue · Free (bring your own model/API key) ⭐ 35.6K stars Open-source AI code assistant for VS Code/JetBrains — use free local models or your own API keys.
you stop paying $10/mo → keep ~$120/yr
head-to-head
| GitHub Copilot | Continue | |
|---|---|---|
| price | $10/mo | Free (bring your own model/API key) |
| self-hostable | no | yes |
| license | proprietary | Apache-2.0 |
| verified | — | 2026-08 |
| migration | — | medium effort |
free & open source (1)
cheaper, but not open source (1)
Codeium (free tier) cheaper
Free for individuals
Autocomplete + chat free for personal use, comparable to Copilot.
trade-offs: Closed source · Team features are paid
migration guide
Continue + your choice of models
⏱ ~30 minutes- Install the Continue extension (VS Code / JetBrains).
- Pick a brain: Ollama local models (free, private) or an API key from OpenRouter/DeepSeek etc.
- Configure tab-autocomplete + chat models separately — autocomplete wants a fast small model.
- Use it for a normal week; track token spend if using APIs.
- Compare honestly: frontier-hosted Copilot may still win on some completions.
- If it holds up, drop the Copilot seat at renewal.
faq
What is the best free alternative to GitHub Copilot?
Continue is the top free option — Open-source AI code assistant for VS Code/JetBrains — use free local models or your own API keys.
How much can I save by switching from GitHub Copilot?
GitHub Copilot costs $10/mo, so switching to a free alternative saves roughly $120/year per seat.
Can GitHub Copilot be self-hosted?
Yes — Continue can be self-hosted for free.