Guides · Coding assistants
Which AI coding assistant is worth it?
Autocomplete in your editor, an agent that edits files, or both. What each costs per seat, what the limits are, and whether your code is used for training.
Checked 07 Oct 2026Research-led6 tools
The verdicts
- PickGitHub (Microsoft)
GitHub Copilot
The cheapest proper coding assistant: Pro is $10 a month, the free tier gives 2,000 code completions a month, and verified students get it free.
Wrong forAnyone who doesn’t want their code used for training without opting out: since 24 April 2026, individual plans train on it by default.
The catchUsage is now billed in AI credits: Pro gets 1,000 a month plus a “flex” allowance GitHub says may change.
- Your data
- Individual plans train on inputs, outputs and code snippets by default since 24 April 2026; opt out in Copilot settings.
- On business plans
- Business and Enterprise data isn’t used to train AI models.
- UK / EU data residency
- EU residency only with GitHub Enterprise Cloud; there’s no UK region.
- Sources
Read 07 Oct 2026
- PickOpenAI
OpenAI Codex
If you already pay for ChatGPT, it’s included — in every plan, even Free and Go — with set allowances every five hours on Plus and Business.
Wrong forAnyone who only wants a coding tool and isn’t on ChatGPT: GitHub Copilot Pro is half the price of Plus.
The catchCloud tasks use up your allowance faster than local ones.
- Your data
- On individual plans your chats train OpenAI’s models by default. Turn off “Improve the model for everyone” in Data Controls.
- On business plans
- Business, Enterprise and Edu content isn’t used for training by default.
- UK / EU data residency
- UK or EEA storage is offered for new Enterprise and Edu workspaces, not Business.
- PickAnthropic
Claude Code
If you already pay for Claude, it’s included: Pro ($20, or $17 billed yearly) and Max both come with Claude Code, sharing one allowance with chat.
Wrong forAnyone who wants a free tier: Claude Code starts with Pro, or pay-as-you-go through the API.
The catchCoding and chat share the same five-hour and weekly limits.
- Your data
- Free, Pro and Max chats and coding sessions can be used for training unless you opt out in Settings → Privacy.
- On business plans
- Team, Enterprise and API content isn’t used for training by default.
- UK / EU data residency
- No UK or EU storage option on Anthropic’s own apps. EU processing is available through Claude on AWS Bedrock or Google Vertex AI.
- Sources
Read 07 Oct 2026
- ConsiderAnysphere
Cursor
A whole AI-first code editor for $20 a month, with a Privacy Mode that keeps your code out of training and has zero data retention at its model providers.
Wrong forAnyone who doesn’t want to change editors: Cursor is the editor.
The catchCursor doesn’t say whether Privacy Mode is on by default for individuals, and there’s no UK or EU data residency.
- Your data
- With Privacy Mode on, nothing is used for training. Cursor doesn’t state the default for individuals.
- On business plans
- Admins can enforce Privacy Mode across a team.
- UK / EU data residency
- None; data may go to the US.
- Sources
Read 07 Oct 2026
- ConsiderCognition
Devin Desktop (formerly Windsurf)
Windsurf, renamed in June 2026 after Cognition bought it. Pro is $20 a month, and even the free plan has unlimited inline edits and tab completions.
Wrong forSmall teams: the team plan is $80 a month plus $40 for each developer seat.
The catchFree and Pro use your data for training by default, and on Teams only an admin can opt out.
- Your data
- Free and Pro may be used for training by default; opt out in Data Controls.
- On business plans
- Enterprise data is never used without written consent.
- UK / EU data residency
- Not stated.
- Sources
Read 07 Oct 2026
- ConsiderJetBrains
JetBrains AI
For people who already work in JetBrains IDEs. AI Pro comes free with the All Products Pack and dotUltimate.
Wrong forAnyone who doesn’t use JetBrains IDEs.
The catchOn non-commercial licences, detailed code data is collected for training by default.
- Your data
- Non-commercial licences collect detailed code data for training by default; commercial licences only with consent.
- On business plans
- Off by default for organisations; only an admin can turn it on.
- UK / EU data residency
- Not published where we could read it.
- Sources
Read 07 Oct 2026
What it costs
| Tool | Plan | Price | What it adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| GitHub Copilot | Free | $0 | 2,000 code completions a month, limited chat |
| Pro | $10 a month | 1,000 credits + 500 flex | |
| Pro+ | $39 a month | 3,900 credits + 3,100 flex | |
| Business | $19 a seat a month | 1,900 credits a user; not used for training | |
| OpenAI Codex | With ChatGPT | Included | Free, Go, Plus, Pro, Business, Edu and Enterprise |
| API key | Pay as you go | At API prices | |
| Claude Code | With Claude Pro | $20 a month, or $17 billed yearly | Claude Code included |
| With Claude Max | $100 or $200 a month | Five or twenty times Pro’s usage | |
| API | Pay as you go | At token rates via the Claude Console | |
| Cursor | Hobby | $0 | Free |
| Pro | $20 a month | Usage beyond the limits at API rates | |
| Pro+ | $60 a month | More usage | |
| Teams | $40 a user a month | Admins can enforce Privacy Mode | |
| Devin Desktop (formerly Windsurf) | Free | $0 | Light quota; unlimited inline edits and tab completions |
| Pro | $20 a month | More use | |
| Teams | $80 a month + $40 a seat | Up to 200 users | |
| JetBrains AI | AI Free | $0 | 3 credits per 30 days |
| AI Pro | $10 | 10 credits; free with the All Products Pack | |
| AI Ultimate | $30 | 35 credits |