Bolt.new vs GitHub Copilot: Which AI Tool Will Make You Code Faster?

If you’re a developer or a side project builder like me, you know the struggle of trying to code faster while maintaining quality. In 2026, AI tools like Bolt.new and GitHub Copilot promise to enhance your coding speed, but which one is truly worth your time and money? Let’s break down the features, pricing, and overall effectiveness of these two tools to help you make an informed decision.

Overview of Bolt.new and GitHub Copilot

What They Do

• Bolt.new: A relatively new player in the AI coding space, Bolt.new offers real-time code suggestions tailored to your specific coding context. It integrates seamlessly with your IDE, making it feel like a natural part of your workflow.
• GitHub Copilot: A veteran in the AI coding arena, Copilot uses OpenAI's Codex to provide code suggestions based on comments and code snippets you write. It’s well-integrated with GitHub, which makes it appealing for collaborative projects.

Pricing Breakdown

| Tool | Pricing | Best For | Limitations | Our Take | |---------------|---------------------------------|------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------| | Bolt.new | Free tier + $15/mo pro | Developers needing context-aware suggestions | Still developing features, not as polished as Copilot | We use it for quick prototyping. | | GitHub Copilot| $10/mo, $100/year | Teams and solo developers on GitHub | Limited support for non-GitHub workflows | We find it useful for larger projects. |

Feature Comparison: Bolt.new vs GitHub Copilot

1. Context-Awareness

• Bolt.new shines here, providing suggestions based on the surrounding code and comments. This contextual understanding can save you time when writing complex functions.
• GitHub Copilot also offers context-aware suggestions but can sometimes miss the mark if the comments are vague.

2. Language Support

• Bolt.new currently supports a limited number of languages but is expanding rapidly.
• GitHub Copilot supports a wide range of languages and frameworks, making it versatile for various projects.

3. Integration

• Bolt.new integrates with popular IDEs like VS Code, JetBrains, and more.
• GitHub Copilot integrates seamlessly with GitHub and works well with various IDEs, though it’s best suited for GitHub repositories.

4. Learning Curve

• Bolt.new is relatively easy to set up and start using, especially for new developers.
• GitHub Copilot might take a bit longer to get used to, particularly for those unfamiliar with AI suggestions.

5. Collaboration Features

• Bolt.new lacks robust collaboration features at this stage.
• GitHub Copilot excels in collaborative environments, especially with team workflows on GitHub.

6. Performance

• In our testing, Bolt.new performed well with real-time suggestions but had occasional lags during heavy codebases.
• GitHub Copilot consistently performed well, though it could sometimes suggest overly complex solutions.

Pricing Comparison Table

| Tool | Monthly Cost | Yearly Cost | Best For | Limitations | |---------------|--------------|-------------|------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------| | Bolt.new | $15 | N/A | Context-aware coding assistance | Limited language support | | GitHub Copilot| $10 | $100 | GitHub users and teams | Best features tied to GitHub workflows |

Choose Bolt.new if...

• You need tailored suggestions and are working on smaller projects or prototypes.
• You're looking for a cost-effective solution and don’t mind a bit of roughness in features.

Choose GitHub Copilot if...

• You’re working on collaborative projects, especially within GitHub.
• You need a more polished and feature-rich tool with broader language support.

Conclusion: Start Here

If you’re just starting out and want to experiment with AI coding tools, give Bolt.new a try—especially since it has a free tier. However, if you’re part of a team or working on larger projects, GitHub Copilot is likely the better investment for its robust features and support.

What We Actually Use

In our experience at Built This Week, we primarily use GitHub Copilot for our larger projects due to its extensive language support and integration with GitHub. For quick prototyping or smaller scripts, we’ve found Bolt.new handy, especially when we want fast, context-aware suggestions without the overhead of a full GitHub workflow.