Why GitHub Copilot Is Overrated: A Deeper Look

As a solo founder or indie hacker, you’re always looking for ways to streamline your workflow and boost productivity. Enter GitHub Copilot, the AI coding tool that promises to revolutionize your coding experience. But is it really all that? After using it extensively, I’d argue that GitHub Copilot is overrated. Let’s dive into why that is, and explore some alternatives that might serve you better in 2026.

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’s built on OpenAI’s Codex model and integrates seamlessly with popular code editors like Visual Studio Code.

Pricing Breakdown

• Free tier: Limited usage
• Pro tier: $10/month for full access

Best For

• Developers looking for quick code suggestions in supported languages.

Limitations

• Often produces code that isn’t optimal or contextually relevant.
• Fails to understand complex project architecture.
• Can lead to a reliance on AI suggestions instead of honing your coding skills.

Our Take on GitHub Copilot

We used GitHub Copilot for several projects, and while it’s handy for quick snippets, it often misses the mark when it comes to understanding the bigger picture of what we were trying to accomplish. We found ourselves spending more time correcting Copilot's suggestions than we did writing code ourselves.

Alternatives to GitHub Copilot

If you’re looking for tools that provide more value without the hype, consider the following options:

1. Tabnine

• What it does: AI code completion tool that learns from your codebase.
• Pricing: Free tier + $12/month for pro.
• Best for: Personalized suggestions based on your existing code.
• Limitations: Can be slow with larger projects.
• Our take: We use Tabnine for its personalized suggestions, which often match our coding style better than Copilot.

2. Kite

• What it does: Offers code completions and documentation as you type.
• Pricing: Free tier + $19.90/month for pro.
• Best for: Python and JavaScript developers.
• Limitations: Limited language support.
• Our take: Kite’s documentation feature is a game-changer for learning as you code.

3. Sourcery

• What it does: Automatically refactors your Python code for better readability and performance.
• Pricing: Free tier + $12/month for pro.
• Best for: Python developers focused on code quality.
• Limitations: Only works with Python.
• Our take: We find Sourcery’s ability to optimize our code invaluable.

4. Codeium

• What it does: Provides instant code suggestions across multiple languages.
• Pricing: Free.
• Best for: Budget-conscious developers.
• Limitations: May lack depth in suggestions.
• Our take: Codeium is a great alternative if you want something without a paywall.

5. Replit Ghostwriter

• What it does: Offers AI-powered code suggestions within the Replit platform.
• Pricing: $20/month.
• Best for: Beginners and educators using Replit.
• Limitations: Limited to the Replit ecosystem.
• Our take: We recommend this for educational projects and collaborative coding.

Comparison Table

| Tool | Pricing | Best For | Limitations | Our Verdict | |-----------------------|--------------------------|----------------------------------|--------------------------------------|--------------------------------------| | GitHub Copilot | Free tier + $10/mo | Quick code suggestions | Often misses context | Overrated for complex projects | | Tabnine | Free tier + $12/mo | Personalized suggestions | Can be slow with larger projects | Great for tailored code suggestions | | Kite | Free tier + $19.90/mo | Python/JavaScript developers | Limited language support | Excellent for learning while coding | | Sourcery | Free tier + $12/mo | Python code quality | Only for Python | Vital for code optimization | | Codeium | Free | Budget-conscious developers | Lacks depth in suggestions | Good starter tool | | Replit Ghostwriter | $20/mo | Beginners and educators | Limited to Replit | Best for educational use |

Conclusion: Start Here

In our experience, GitHub Copilot falls short when it comes to delivering practical, context-aware suggestions. If you’re a solo founder or indie hacker looking for a coding assistant that actually adds value, consider alternatives like Tabnine or Kite. They provide more personalized suggestions that can enhance your coding experience without the frustration.

What We Actually Use: We rely on Tabnine for its personalized suggestions and Kite for its learning features. GitHub Copilot? We’ve moved on.