AI Coding Assistants: GitHub Copilot vs Cursor - Which Is Best for Indie Developers?

As indie developers, we often find ourselves juggling multiple roles—coder, designer, marketer, and sometimes even project manager. With so much on our plates, anything that can save us time and boost our productivity is worth considering. Enter AI coding assistants. In 2026, two heavyweights have emerged in this space: GitHub Copilot and Cursor. But which one is truly the best for indie developers? Let’s dive into the specifics.

What GitHub Copilot Actually Does

GitHub Copilot is an AI-powered code completion tool that suggests entire lines or blocks of code as you type. It integrates seamlessly with popular code editors like Visual Studio Code, making it easy to adopt into your workflow.

• Pricing: $10/month for individuals, $19/month for businesses.
• Best for: Developers who want quick code suggestions and are already using GitHub.
• Limitations: It can sometimes generate incorrect or insecure code, requiring careful review.
• Our take: We use GitHub Copilot for rapid prototyping and learning new languages, but we always double-check its output.

What Cursor Actually Does

Cursor is a newer player in the AI coding assistant arena, designed specifically for the needs of developers working on larger projects. It focuses on providing contextual suggestions based on the entire file or project rather than just the line you’re currently working on.

• Pricing: Free tier available; $15/month for pro features.
• Best for: Developers working on complex applications who need more context-aware suggestions.
• Limitations: Less integration with older code editors; might not be as polished as Copilot yet.
• Our take: We’ve tried Cursor, and while its context-aware suggestions are impressive, it still feels a bit rough around the edges.

Feature-by-Feature Breakdown

Here’s a detailed comparison of GitHub Copilot and Cursor across several important criteria:

| Feature | GitHub Copilot | Cursor | |-------------------------------|----------------------------------|----------------------------------| | Code Suggestions | Line and block suggestions | Contextual project-based suggestions | | IDE Compatibility | Visual Studio Code, JetBrains, etc. | Limited to modern editors | | Learning Curve | Minimal, easy to set up | Moderate, requires adaptation | | Pricing | $10/mo (individual) | Free tier + $15/mo (pro) | | Security | Moderate, requires review | High, focuses on secure coding | | Community Support | Strong, backed by GitHub | Growing, but less established |

Pricing Comparison Table

When it comes to pricing, here's how these tools stack up:

| Tool | Pricing | Best For | Limitations | |-----------------|------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------|----------------------------------| | GitHub Copilot | $10/month (individual), $19/month (business) | Quick suggestions for various languages | Needs code review for accuracy | | Cursor | Free tier, $15/month (pro features) | Context-aware coding assistance | Less integration with older editors |

Which One Should You Choose?

So, which AI coding assistant should you go with? Here’s a simple decision framework:

• Choose GitHub Copilot if:

  • You need quick, inline suggestions.
  • You’re already embedded in the GitHub ecosystem.
  • You’re working on smaller projects or prototypes.

• Choose Cursor if:

  • You work on larger, more complex applications.
  • You need context-aware suggestions for entire projects.
  • You prefer a tool focused on security and best practices.

Conclusion: Start Here

For indie developers, both GitHub Copilot and Cursor have their merits. If you’re looking for speed and simplicity, GitHub Copilot is likely your best bet. However, if you want a more sophisticated tool that understands the context of your code, Cursor could be worth the investment.

In our experience, we lean towards GitHub Copilot for day-to-day coding tasks, but we keep an eye on Cursor for its potential.

What We Actually Use: We primarily use GitHub Copilot due to its ease of use and extensive integration, but we’re excited about the developments with Cursor as it matures.