Artificial Intelligence (AI) is Changing the Way We Work: A Comparison of GitHub Copilot and ChatGPT
AI tools are transforming many industries, and two of the most useful in this space are GitHub Copilot and ChatGPT. Both are powered by OpenAI’s language models, but they are designed for different tasks. In this guide, we’ll compare them, explain their uses, and help you decide which one is right for you.
Who Should Read This?
This guide is for anyone who works with AI tools, whether you’re a developer, marketer, content creator, entrepreneur, or just curious about using AI to make your work easier. If you write code, manage projects, create content, or handle repetitive tasks, you’ll find helpful information here. We’ll also show you how you can use both tools together for maximum productivity.
What Are AI Writing Assistants?
AI writing assistants are tools powered by language models that can help with writing tasks. They understand what you ask them and generate natural-sounding text based on your instructions. These tools can save time and help you get creative ideas for your work.
Two popular AI assistants are GitHub Copilot and ChatGPT. Although both are made by OpenAI, they serve different purposes. GitHub Copilot helps developers write code, while ChatGPT is more versatile and can assist with a wide variety of writing tasks, such as writing emails, articles, or brainstorming ideas.
Let’s dive into each tool to see which one fits your needs.
GitHub Copilot: The Developer’s Best Friend
GitHub Copilot is designed for developers. It works inside your code editor (like Visual Studio Code) to help you write code faster. Copilot suggests code as you type, so it can help you complete functions, generate repetitive code, or even write database queries.
For example, Copilot can automatically fill in boilerplate code, suggest helpful test cases, or even help you write SQL queries. Developers love it because it saves time and helps with tricky tasks.
However, Copilot isn’t perfect. Sometimes it might generate code that isn't quite right or doesn’t follow best practices, especially when working with new tools or libraries. It’s a great assistant, but you’ll still need to review the code it suggests.
You can learn more about Copilot in the documentation.
ChatGPT: Your All-Purpose Writing Assistant
ChatGPT is a more general tool that can assist with almost anything written. Whether you’re writing emails, articles, or brainstorming ideas, ChatGPT can help you get started quickly. It’s a great tool for creating content, summarizing long texts, explaining complex topics, or even writing creative pieces.
ChatGPT is flexible and can adjust its writing style based on what you need. For example, it can help marketers write taglines, assist product teams with descriptions, or even help researchers summarize long articles.
It’s a great tool for anyone who works with text and needs a little help with writing. It’s not built into your code editor like Copilot, but it’s perfect for general writing tasks.
Check out more about ChatGPT on the official page.
Feature Comparison: GitHub Copilot vs. ChatGPT
| Feature | GitHub Copilot | ChatGPT |
|---|---|---|
| Main Use | Writing and completing code | Writing and general text creation |
| Target Audience | Developers and engineers | Writers, marketers, researchers, content creators |
| Where to Use It | Integrated into code editors (e.g., Visual Studio Code) | Web app, API, mobile app |
| Output | Code snippets, functions | Articles, emails, summaries, ideas, etc. |
| Languages Supported | Programming languages (e.g., Python, JavaScript) | Natural languages (e.g., English, Spanish, etc.) |
| Real-Time Suggestions | Yes, as you write in your editor | Responses based on prompts |
| Pricing (2025) | \$10/month | Free or \$20/month |
Real-World Use Cases
The best AI tool for you depends on your work:
- Developers: Use GitHub Copilot to speed up coding tasks. It can write boilerplate code, suggest code improvements, and assist with debugging.
- Marketers: Use ChatGPT to write emails, social media posts, blog articles, and more. It helps brainstorm ideas and polish your writing.
- Researchers: Use ChatGPT to summarize long documents, explain complex ideas, or translate technical content into simple language.
- Entrepreneurs and Small Teams: Use both! Copilot helps you build your product, while ChatGPT assists with writing all the marketing and supporting content.
What’s New in 2025?
Both tools are always improving:
- GitHub Copilot has added new features like chat in the code editor, voice commands, and better integration with GitHub tools. It now provides in-line explanations for code, which is great for learning and training.
- ChatGPT has become even more powerful with new features like code execution, the ability to upload and analyze files, and image generation. You can also create your own customized ChatGPT for specific tasks.
These updates make both tools even more helpful in your everyday tasks.
Which Tool Should You Choose?
If you're a developer, GitHub Copilot will be your go-to tool for writing code quickly and efficiently. It’s built for coding tasks and is deeply integrated into your code editor.
If you need help with writing and communication, ChatGPT is your best bet. It’s perfect for generating content, summarizing information, or just brainstorming ideas.
That said, you don’t have to pick just one. Many developers use both tools together, Copilot for coding and ChatGPT for writing documentation, emails, or product descriptions.
By understanding the strengths of each tool, you can decide which one (or both) will help you work more efficiently and creatively.
Stay tuned for our next article, where we’ll dive deeper into how to use these AI tools in your daily workflow!
