Kilo Code vs GitHub Copilot
Copilot bills went up.
Kilo Code stays predictable.
GitHub Copilot switched to usage-based pricing with AI Credits. Chat, agent mode, and code review now consume credits on top of your subscription. Kilo Code gives you the same editor experience with transparent costs: pay for what you use, pick the model for each task, or run local models for free.
Quick comparison
Where the two tools differ on cost and flexibility, which is what matters most after the Copilot pricing change.
| Feature | Kilo Code | GitHub Copilot |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Pay-as-you-go with transparent per-token cost | Subscription + AI Credits (usage-based bills) |
| Monthly base price | Free for individuals, pay as you go | Pro $10/mo + credits, Pro+ $39/mo + credits |
| Team pricing | $15/user/mo | $19/user/mo + usage credits |
| Model access | 500+ models including Claude, GPT, Gemini, open-weight, local | GitHub-managed, limited selection |
| Bring your own key | Full support at exact provider rates | Limited |
| Local models (Ollama, LM Studio) | Built-in support | Not supported |
| Open source | Yes full codebase and prompts visible | No |
| Inline autocomplete | Included at cost | Included (completions and NES) |
| Agent mode | Full agentic coding with multi-agent orchestration | Available (Copilot coding agent) |
| Specialized agent modes | Orchestrator, Architect, Debug, Code, Ask | No dedicated specialized modes |
| Code review billing | Selected model / credits | AI Credits + Actions minutes |
| Cost control | Pick the model tier for each task | Credit pools and caps inside GitHub |
| Data training opt-out | Never trained on your code | Requires opt-out configuration |
| IDE support | VS Code, JetBrains, CLI | VS Code, JetBrains, Visual Studio, Neovim |
Why developers are switching
Stop paying frontier prices for every task
Debugging a typo does not require GPT-4o. Kilo Code lets you route routine edits to cheaper or local models and save frontier models for architecture decisions and hard problems.
Keep AI coding, cut the waste
Use Claude, GPT, Gemini, and other frontier models only when it is worth it. Use open-weight models or your own API keys at exact provider rates for routine work.
Know what you will pay
Copilot's credit-based system makes it hard to predict the next bill. With Kilo Code you see per-token cost, set model-tier rules, and control spend per user or team.
Open source, no lock-in
Kilo Code is open source with visible prompts and context windows. You can audit, self-host, or move to any other model. Your code is never used for training.
Agent modes built into Kilo Code
Copilot gives you one chat and one agent. Kilo Code ships with five specialized modes, each purpose-built for a different step in your workflow.
Orchestrator
Delegates across modes and agents
Architect
Plans features and refactor strategies
Debug
Isolates and fixes bugs
Code
Writes and refactors code
Ask
Answers questions without touching your files
Switch from Copilot in five minutes
01
Install Kilo Code
Install from the VS Code marketplace, JetBrains marketplace, or via the CLI. Takes about a minute.
02
Choose a model
Pick from 500+ hosted models, bring your own API key, or use local models via Ollama or LM Studio.
03
Save 50% on Kilo Pass
Subscribe to Kilo Pass through the referral link on this page and get a 50% credit bonus on your monthly plan.
Switch to Kilo Code today
Same editor, predictable costs, and a 50% credit bonus when you sign up through this page.
Get 50% Kilo Pass credit bonusFrequently asked questions
- What changed with GitHub Copilot pricing?
- GitHub moved Copilot to usage-based billing with AI Credits. Autocomplete is still included, but chat and coding agent features now consume credits on top of your base subscription. This means your bill can spike when you use Copilot more.
- How is Kilo Code different?
- Kilo Code is open source and runs in the same VS Code editor you already use. You pick the model for each task, use your own API keys at exact provider rates, or run cheaper open-weight and local models. You control the cost.
- Can I use Kilo Code alongside Copilot?
- Yes. You can disable Copilot for specific workspaces or keep both extensions active. Most developers use Kilo Code for chat, agent mode, and code review, and let Copilot handle autocomplete if they prefer.
- How do I switch from Copilot?
- Install Kilo Code from the VS Code marketplace. Import your workflow, pick a model, and start using it. There is no configuration migration or vendor lock-in. You can be up and running in about five minutes.
- Do Copilot completions still cost extra?
- Inline autocomplete is included in Copilot Pro and Pro+. Chat, agent mode, and code review consume AI Credits. Check your current GitHub billing to see your credit usage.
- Is Kilo Code suitable for teams?
- Kilo Code has team analytics and model controls so admins see usage per model, user, and workflow. Team pricing starts at $15/user/mo compared to Copilot Business at $19/user/mo plus credits.
- What happens to my Copilot subscription if I switch?
- You can cancel your Copilot subscription through GitHub Billing at any time. There is no migration required since Kilo Code uses standard model APIs and is not tied to your GitHub account.