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Compiled from official documentation, checked

Claude Code vs GitHub Copilot: documented features compared

Short answer

Claude Code is Anthropic’s agentic coding tool for the terminal, IDEs and a desktop app, included in paid Claude plans. GitHub Copilot spans VS Code agent mode, other IDEs, Copilot CLI and the cloud agent on github.com, and bills AI usage in GitHub AI Credits. Both read MCP servers and AGENTS.md; they differ in config files and in how usage is priced.

How this comparison was made: we have not run hands-on tests or benchmarks of either agent. Every row summarises the vendor’s own documentation and links to it. Prices are list prices as published on the date above and can change.
Claude CodeGitHub Copilot
Surfaces Terminal CLI, VS Code and JetBrains extensions, desktop app source VS Code agent mode, other IDEs, Copilot CLI, Copilot cloud agent on github.com source
Add an MCP server claude mcp add (use --transport http for remote servers) source VS Code: .vscode/mcp.json, the GitHub MCP Registry or code --add-mcp; Copilot CLI: /mcp add source
MCP config location .mcp.json (project) or ~/.claude.json (user/local) source VS Code: .vscode/mcp.json; Copilot CLI: ~/.copilot/mcp-config.json, .mcp.json or .github/mcp.json source
Instruction file CLAUDE.md; reads AGENTS.md only when no CLAUDE.md exists, or via an @AGENTS.md import source .github/copilot-instructions.md, .github/instructions/*.instructions.md and AGENTS.md (support varies by surface) source
Plugins and skills Plugin marketplaces (official claude-plugins-official) and SKILL.md skills source Not compared: we did not verify a Copilot plugin format on the pages above source
Individual pricing Included in paid Claude plans: Pro $20/mo (US), Max 5x $100/mo, Max 20x $200/mo source Free $0, Pro $10, Pro+ $39, Max $100/mo, each with a monthly GitHub AI Credits allowance; completions unlimited on paid plans source

Which fits your setup?

Based on documented features, not our own testing. See how SaaS tools are supported in each: Claude tools · Copilot tools

Full pricing details: Claude Code pricing, plans & limits · GitHub Copilot pricing, plans & limits

Related

AGENTS.md vs CLAUDE.md vs Cursor rules

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How to add an MCP server to GitHub Copilot in VS Code

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GitHub Copilot CLI yolo mode: --allow-all and safer tool rules

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How to install Claude Code on macOS, Linux and Windows

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Claude Code auto mode: what runs, what gets blocked, how to turn it off

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Claude Code in VS Code: install, shortcuts and CLI differences

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Claude Code on Windows: native, WSL and common errors

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GitHub Copilot CLI: install, sign in and start using it

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GitHub Copilot coding agent (now cloud agent): how to use it

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GitHub Copilot agent mode: how to use it in your IDE

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MCP config generator for every agent

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Frequently asked questions

We have not tested them hands-on, so we do not rank them. Both document MCP support and read AGENTS.md. The documented differences are surfaces, config files and pricing model.

Sources