Do I need a coding-specific tool, or is ChatGPT enough?

For learning and small scripts, a general chat assistant is fine. If you code daily, a tool that works inside your editor saves a lot of copy-pasting.

Is AI-written code safe to use?

Treat it like code from a stranger: read it, test it, and don't paste secrets or passwords into the chat.

The verdict

Best AI for coding

Which AI should you pay for if you write code? Our verdict on the best coding assistant, the cheapest serious option, and the best free one.

The verdict

Rankings updated 26 Oct 2026

Buy this

GitHub Copilot Pro

$10/mo

Score 99/100 · powered by Claude Opus 5.5

Source: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026

GitHub Copilot Pro has the highest score for coding (99/100) among the subscriptions we could verify, thanks to Claude Opus 5.5.

Runner-up

Claude Pro

$20/mo

Score 99/100 · powered by Claude Opus 5.5

Source: Anthropic · verified 26 Oct 2026

Best free option

GitHub Copilot Free

Free

Score 90/100 · powered by Claude Opus 5.5 (limited use)

Source: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026

Is the free plan enough?

Mostly

For learning or the odd side project, yes. If you code every day, the free monthly limits run out fast.

The full ranking

Best AI for coding: every subscription we could verify.

GitHub Copilot Pro
$10/movia Claude Opus 5.5
99based on 2 of 6 tests
Claude Pro
$20/movia Claude Opus 5.5
99based on 2 of 6 tests
Cursor Pro
$20/movia Claude Opus 5.5
99based on 2 of 6 tests
ChatGPT Plus
$20/movia GPT-6 Astra
94based on 3 of 6 tests
Gemini Google AI Pro
€21.99/movia Gemini 4 Argon
82based on 2 of 6 tests
Meta AI Free
Freevia Muse Spark (limited use)
72based on 2 of 6 tests
DeepSeek Free
Freevia DeepSeek V4 Pro (limited use)
71based on 6 of 6 tests
Lumo Plus
$9.99/mo, billed yearlyvia GLM 5.3
71based on 2 of 6 tests
Vibe (Le Chat) Pro
$14.99/movia Mistral Medium 3.5
50based on 3 of 6 tests

Best free: GitHub Copilot Free · Best value (paid): GitHub Copilot Pro

How this list is made

Scores combine these independent tests (weights in brackets). 100 = the best model from the companies we cover. A subscription gets the score of the best model it includes. Full method.

Arena: coding questions (14%): Blind votes on answers to programming questions. Data checked 26 Oct 2026.
Arena: building websites (14%): Blind votes on websites and apps the AI builds from a prompt. Data checked 26 Oct 2026.
SWE-bench Verified (21%): Can the AI fix real bugs in real open-source software projects? Data checked 26 Oct 2026.
Artificial Analysis Coding Index (21%): A combined score over independent coding tests. Data checked 26 Oct 2026.
LiveBench: coding (14%): Fresh programming problems that models cannot have memorised. Data checked 26 Oct 2026.
LiveBench: agentic coding (14%): Multi-step coding tasks in Python, JavaScript and TypeScript projects. Data checked 26 Oct 2026.

Leaderboard data: Arena (arena.ai), CC BY 4.0 · Epoch AI, 'Capabilities & benchmarking', epoch.ai/benchmarks, CC BY 4.0 · Benchmark data: Artificial Analysis (artificialanalysis.ai) · Benchmark data: LiveBench (livebench.ai)

The picks up close

Our opinion first, then the sourced facts behind it.

Top pick

GitHub Copilot Pro

By GitHub (Microsoft) · $10/mo

Source: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026

Our take (opinion, reviewed 7 Oct 2026)

The cheapest serious coding assistant, and it works in the editor you already use.

Good for

Developers who want help without switching editors
Coders on a budget

Not for

Anyone who doesn't write code

AI models included

Claude Fable 5Source: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026
Claude Fable 5.1Source: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026
Claude Haiku 4.5Source: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026
Claude Haiku 5.5Source: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026
Claude Opus 4.8Source: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026
Claude Opus 5Source: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026
Claude Opus 5.5Source: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026
Claude Sonnet 4.6Source: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026
Claude Sonnet 5Source: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026
Claude Sonnet 5.5Source: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026
Gemini 3.7 FlashSource: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026
Gemini 3.8 FlashSource: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026
Gemini 4 ArgonSource: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026
GPT-5.2Source: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026
GPT-5.2 CodexSource: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026
GPT-5.3 CodexSource: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026
GPT-5.4Source: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026
GPT-5.4 MiniSource: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026
GPT-5.5Source: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026
GPT-5.6 LunaSource: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026
GPT-5.6 SolSource: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026
GPT-5.6 TerraSource: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026
GPT-6.1 SolSource: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026
GPT-6 AstraSource: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026
GPT-6 LunaSource: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026
GPT-6 SolSource: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026
Grok 4.5Source: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026
Grok 4.6Source: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026
Grok 4.7Source: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026

What you get with Pro

Unlimited code completionsSource: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026
Includes $10 per month of base AI creditsSource: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026
Cloud agent can write code and create pull requestsSource: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026
Includes $15 per month in GitHub AI Credits in totalSource: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026
Assigns work to Copilot, which can write code and open pull requestsSource: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026
Unlimited code completions and next edit suggestionsSource: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026
Pull request code reviews in GitHubSource: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026

Strengths

Works in many editors, the terminal and on GitHubSource: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026
Code completions do not use AI creditsSource: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026
Unlimited code completions on paid plansSource: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026
Code completions stay unlimited on every paid planSource: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026
Works in the terminal as well as in editors and on GitHubSource: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026

Limitations

Individual subscribers' data may be used to train AI models unless they opt outSource: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026
Extra usage beyond monthly credits requires setting a dollar budgetSource: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026
Free plan lacks code review and the cloud agentSource: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026
Cloud agent is not included on the Free planSource: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026
Chats may be used to train AI models unless you opt outSource: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026

Is GitHub Copilot Pro worth it? →
All GitHub Copilot plans and prices →
Official site: github.com ↗

Runner-up

Claude Pro

By Anthropic · $20/mo

Source: Anthropic · verified 26 Oct 2026

Our take (opinion, reviewed 7 Oct 2026)

Strong at writing and long, careful work with documents and code.

Good for

Long writing and editing work
Developers who want a coding agent included

Not for

People who want to make images

AI models included

Claude Fable 5.1 (limited use)Source: Anthropic · verified 26 Oct 2026The plan lists the model family; the version comes from the same page's list of current models.
Claude Haiku 5.5Source: Anthropic · verified 26 Oct 2026The plan lists the model family; the version comes from the same page's list of current models.
Claude Opus 5.5Source: Anthropic · verified 26 Oct 2026The plan lists the model family; the version comes from the same page's list of current models.
Claude Sonnet 5.5Source: Anthropic · verified 26 Oct 2026The plan lists the model family; the version comes from the same page's list of current models.

What you get with Pro

Pro gives at least 5x more usage per 5-hour session than FreeSource: Anthropic · verified 26 Oct 2026
Claude Code is included with the planSource: Anthropic · verified 26 Oct 2026
Includes projects and access to more Claude models.Source: Anthropic · verified 26 Oct 2026
Can hand off and schedule tasksSource: Anthropic · verified 26 Oct 2026
Access to more Claude modelsSource: Anthropic · verified 26 Oct 2026
More usage than the Free planSource: Anthropic · verified 26 Oct 2026
Projects to organize chats and documentsSource: Anthropic · verified 26 Oct 2026

Strengths

Free plan includes web search, file creation and code running.Source: Anthropic · verified 26 Oct 2026
Memory across conversations is included on every plan.Source: Anthropic · verified 26 Oct 2026
Claude Code is included in all paid plansSource: Anthropic · verified 26 Oct 2026
Works in Claude in Chrome and Microsoft 365 on Pro and MaxSource: Anthropic · verified 26 Oct 2026

Limitations

Your chats may be used for model training unless you opt outSource: Anthropic · verified 26 Oct 2026
Usage limits apply and there is no fixed message count.Source: Anthropic · verified 26 Oct 2026
Prices shown do not include applicable taxes.Source: Anthropic · verified 26 Oct 2026
Usage limits reset every five hours, with weekly caps on paid plansSource: Anthropic · verified 26 Oct 2026
Claude Code is not included in the free planSource: Anthropic · verified 26 Oct 2026
Model training on your chats is on by default, with an opt-outSource: Anthropic · verified 26 Oct 2026

Is Claude Pro worth it? →
All Claude plans and prices →
Official site: claude.ai ↗

Best free option

GitHub Copilot Free

By GitHub (Microsoft) · Free

Source: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026

Our take (opinion, reviewed 7 Oct 2026)

The cheapest serious coding assistant, and it works in the editor you already use.

Good for

Developers who want help without switching editors
Coders on a budget

Not for

Anyone who doesn't write code

AI models included

Claude Fable 5 (limited use)Source: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026
Claude Fable 5.1 (limited use)Source: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026
Claude Haiku 4.5 (limited use)Source: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026
Claude Haiku 5.5 (limited use)Source: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026
Claude Opus 4.8 (limited use)Source: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026
Claude Opus 5 (limited use)Source: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026
Claude Opus 5.5 (limited use)Source: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026
Claude Sonnet 4.6 (limited use)Source: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026
Claude Sonnet 5 (limited use)Source: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026
Claude Sonnet 5.5 (limited use)Source: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026
Gemini 3.7 Flash (limited use)Source: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026
Gemini 3.8 Flash (limited use)Source: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026
Gemini 4 Argon (limited use)Source: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026
GPT-5.2 (limited use)Source: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026
GPT-5.2 Codex (limited use)Source: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026
GPT-5.3 Codex (limited use)Source: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026
GPT-5.4 (limited use)Source: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026
GPT-5.4 Mini (limited use)Source: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026
GPT-5.5 (limited use)Source: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026
GPT-5.6 Luna (limited use)Source: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026
GPT-5.6 Sol (limited use)Source: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026
GPT-5.6 Terra (limited use)Source: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026
GPT-6.1 Sol (limited use)Source: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026
GPT-6 Astra (limited use)Source: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026
GPT-6 Luna (limited use)Source: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026
GPT-6 Sol (limited use)Source: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026
Grok 4.5 (limited use)Source: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026
Grok 4.6 (limited use)Source: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026
Grok 4.7 (limited use)Source: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026

What you get with Free

Limited to 2,000 code completions per monthSource: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026
Includes a limited allowance of AI credits for chat and agentsSource: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026
Works in your terminal through Copilot CLISource: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026
2,000 inline suggestions per monthSource: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026

Strengths

Works in many editors, the terminal and on GitHubSource: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026
Code completions do not use AI creditsSource: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026
Unlimited code completions on paid plansSource: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026
Code completions stay unlimited on every paid planSource: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026
Works in the terminal as well as in editors and on GitHubSource: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026

Limitations

Individual subscribers' data may be used to train AI models unless they opt outSource: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026
Extra usage beyond monthly credits requires setting a dollar budgetSource: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026
Free plan lacks code review and the cloud agentSource: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026
Cloud agent is not included on the Free planSource: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026
Chats may be used to train AI models unless you opt outSource: GitHub · verified 26 Oct 2026

All GitHub Copilot plans and prices →
Official site: github.com ↗

Questions people ask

Do I need a coding-specific tool, or is ChatGPT enough?: For learning and small scripts, a general chat assistant is fine. If you code daily, a tool that works inside your editor saves a lot of copy-pasting.
Is AI-written code safe to use?: Treat it like code from a stranger: read it, test it, and don't paste secrets or passwords into the chat.

How did we pick these? Read how we rank. Want every plan side by side? See the full comparison.

Best AI for coding

The full ranking

The picks up close

GitHub Copilot Pro

AI models included

What you get with Pro

Strengths

Limitations

Claude Pro

AI models included

What you get with Pro

Strengths

Limitations

GitHub Copilot Free

AI models included

What you get with Free

Strengths

Limitations

Questions people ask

Other verdicts

Head to head

Is it worth it?

Prices per AI