codinghow-to
How to Choose an AI Coding Assistant
By StackPilot Team · June 8, 2026 · 5 min read
Every AI coding assistant can finish a line of code. What separates them is how much of your project they understand, how well they fit your editor, and what they do with your code. If you're a developer assembling a stack, also see the curated picks for developers.
What to actually compare
- Context window: does it see your whole repo, or just the open file?
- Editor fit: native to your IDE, a separate app, or a web sandbox?
- Privacy: is your code used for training, and can that be turned off?
- Price vs. usage: flat monthly, or metered by completions?
The main contenders
GitHub Copilot
AI pair programmer inside your editor.
AI CodingPaid · $10/mo4.7
Cursor
The AI-first code editor.
AI CodingFreemium · Free / $20/mo
Codeium
AI code completion and chat for your IDE.
AI CodingFreemium · Free / $15/mo
If you're torn between the two most popular options, read the head-to-head: Cursor vs GitHub Copilot.