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Head to head · 2026

GitHub Copilot vs Tabby

Pricing, free plans, ratings, features, pros and cons, side by side. Where one comes out ahead, we mark it.

GitHub Copilot

The 2021 launch that started this entire category

4.6$10/mo

Visit GitHub Copilot (opens GitHub Copilot in a new tab)

Tabby

An open-source, self-hostable alternative to Copilot's autocomplete

4.3$19/mo

Visit Tabby (opens Tabby in a new tab)

Who comes out ahead

Based only on the facts in our directory. The right pick still depends on the job you need done.

  • Lower starting price

    GitHub Copilot

    From $10/mo against from $19/mo

  • Free plan

    Tie

    Both have one

  • Higher rating

    GitHub Copilot

    4.6 against 4.3

  • Same job?

    Yes

    Both are Coding tools

Side by side

Compared onGitHub CopilotTabby
Our rating4.6Better4.3
Starts at$10/moBetter$19/mo
Free planYesYes
CategoryCodingCoding
Plans
  • Free$0
  • Pro$10/mo
  • Pro+$39/mo
  • Max$100/mo
  • Business$19/user/mo
From $19/mo
Key features
  • Original AI coding autocomplete, launched in 2021
  • Chat-based assistance and multi-file agent mode
  • Multiple underlying model options beyond OpenAI
  • Deep integration across GitHub, VS Code, and JetBrains
  • Free tier with limited monthly usage
  • Open-source, self-hostable code completion
  • Focused specifically on inline autocomplete, not broader chat or agents
  • No code sent to external APIs when self-hosted
  • Free tier for standard cloud use
  • Lightweight, narrowly scoped design
Pros
  • Earliest mover in this category with the largest existing user base
  • Deep, native integration with GitHub's own platform
  • Expanded well past autocomplete into full agentic capabilities
  • Genuine self-hosting keeps code entirely off external servers
  • Open source allows inspection and customization
  • Narrow focus keeps the tool fast and simple to run
Cons
  • Free tier's completion and chat limits are restrictive for daily professional use
  • Newer, more specialized competitors move faster on some agentic features
  • Full capability requires a paid subscription
  • Scoped to completion only, not chat, agents, or code review
  • Self-hosting requires running and maintaining your own infrastructure
  • Completion quality depends on which self-hosted model is chosen
CompanyGitHub (Microsoft), founded 2021TabbyML, Inc., founded 2023

Prices come from each vendor's pricing page, last checked 20260629. Check the vendor before you buy.

FAQ

Questions people ask

Is GitHub Copilot better than Tabby?

In our reviews GitHub Copilot scores 4.6 and Tabby scores 4.3. The better pick depends on the job. GitHub Copilot: The 2021 launch that started this entire category. Tabby: An open-source, self-hostable alternative to Copilot's autocomplete.

Which is cheaper, GitHub Copilot or Tabby?

GitHub Copilot has the lower starting price: from $10/mo for GitHub Copilot and from $19/mo for Tabby.

Do GitHub Copilot and Tabby have free plans?

Yes, both have a free plan.

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