GitHub Copilot and Windsurf (now Devin Desktop) take different approaches to AI coding. Copilot is an assistant that plugs into the editors developers already use, including VS Code, JetBrains IDEs and Visual Studio, and it is tightly connected to GitHub repositories, pull requests and issues. Windsurf, renamed Devin Desktop on 2 June 2026, is a standalone AI-first editor built on VS Code, linked to Cognition's Devin agent. Choose Copilot if you want to keep your current IDE, standardise on GitHub, or pay the least for a capable paid plan. Choose Windsurf/Devin Desktop if you want an editor designed around AI agents and you are open to switching IDEs. Windsurf began life as Codeium, an AI autocomplete extension; Codeium renamed its company and product Windsurf in 2025. In July 2025 Windsurf was acquired by Cognition, the maker of the Devin autonomous coding agent, and on 2 June 2026 Windsurf was renamed Devin Desktop. According to Cognition's FAQ, the editor, its features and existing plans and pricing stayed the same at the rename. This page keeps the Windsurf name because that is how most readers still search for it.
- windsurf: Acquired by Cognition (Jul 2025); renamed Devin Desktop 2 Jun 2026 (docs.devin.ai/desktop/devin-desktop-faq)
Who should pick GitHub Copilot
Developers and companies standardised on GitHub, teams using JetBrains IDEs or Visual Studio, and individuals who want a low-cost paid plan.
Pros
- Works in VS Code, JetBrains, Visual Studio and on GitHub
- Deep pull-request and issue integration
- Lowest-cost standard paid plan at $10/month
Cons
- Usage-based AI credits need monitoring
- Less control over the overall editor experience
Who should pick Devin Desktop
Developers willing to adopt an AI-native editor, former Codeium users, and teams interested in Cognition's Devin agent.
Pros
- AI-native editor experience
- Devin agent tie-in
- Free plan and simple tiers
Cons
- Requires switching editors
- Brand changes make research and support searches harder
FAQ
- Is Windsurf still available?
- Yes, as Devin Desktop since 2 June 2026.
- Which is cheaper?
- Copilot Pro at $10/month versus Devin Desktop Pro at $20/month, as of October 2026.
- Does Copilot work in JetBrains?
- Yes, GitHub lists JetBrains IDE support.
- Can I use both?
- Technically yes, but most developers pick one main AI assistant to avoid overlapping suggestions and costs.
- Which is better for GitHub-heavy teams?
- Copilot, because of its native integration with pull requests, issues and code review.
Editorial comparison based on vendor documentation and public sources; not based on hands-on benchmark testing. Prices change frequently - verify on vendor sites. Some links may be affiliate links.