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Compiled from official documentation, checked

Cursor vs GitHub Copilot: documented features compared

Short answer

Cursor is a standalone AI-first editor with its own plans and a usage pool. GitHub Copilot runs inside VS Code and other IDEs, in Copilot CLI and as a cloud agent on github.com, and bills AI usage in GitHub AI Credits. Both support MCP servers and AGENTS.md.

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.
CursorGitHub Copilot
Form factor AI-first code editor plus CLI source VS Code agent mode, other IDEs, Copilot CLI, Copilot cloud agent on github.com source
Add an MCP server Customize page, Cursor Marketplace (Add to Cursor), or mcp.json source VS Code: .vscode/mcp.json, the GitHub MCP Registry or code --add-mcp; Copilot CLI: /mcp add source
MCP config location .cursor/mcp.json (project) or ~/.cursor/mcp.json (global) source VS Code: .vscode/mcp.json; Copilot CLI: ~/.copilot/mcp-config.json, .mcp.json or .github/mcp.json source
Rules / instructions .cursor/rules/*.mdc and AGENTS.md source .github/copilot-instructions.md, .github/instructions/*.instructions.md and AGENTS.md source
Individual pricing Free $0, Plus $8, Premium $30, Super $100, Ultra $200/mo source Free $0, Pro $10, Pro+ $39, Max $100/mo, each with a monthly AI credit allowance source
Team pricing Teams: $30, $100 or $200 per seat per month source Business $19, Enterprise $39 per granted seat per month source

Which fits your setup?

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

Full pricing details: Cursor 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 Cursor

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

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Cursor Agent SDK: build, test and deploy agents as code

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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 support MCP and AGENTS.md. The documented differences are form factor, config files and pricing model.

Sources