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Most buyers should pick GitHub Copilot.
Choose GitLab Duo when your team already manages issues, pipelines, security checks and approvals in GitLab, or needs a self-hostable option. Its agent platform uses GitLab Credits, so check included credits and expected usage. Choose GitHub Copilot for a GitHub-centered workflow that spans the CLI, editor, desktop app and mobile, with published monthly individual plans. Copilot has a stated free tier; GitLab Free includes no Agent Platform credits.
01Side by side
| GitLab Duo | GitHub Copilot | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Per-user Duo plans plus usage-based GitLab Credits. | Per-user monthly plans plus included and extra AI Credits. |
| Free tier | Agent Platform: zero credits on Free. | 2,000 completions monthly; no credit card required. |
| Self-hosting | Self-hostable. | Self-hosting not specified. |
| CLI and docs | Web entry point; homepage links to Duo. | CLI installer, desktop app, editor and web. |
| Integrations | Any MCP-compatible agent; GitLab on AWS and Google Cloud. | Connectors, MCP servers, skills and plugins. |
| Deployment model | GitLab-native agent platform with shared project context. | GitHub-native agent across GitHub workflow surfaces. |
| Platforms | Web. | Web, macOS, CLI, mobile, Slack and Teams. |
| Limits and scaling | Included credits vary by tier; $1 per extra credit. | Monthly AI-credit allowances vary by plan; extra credits purchasable. |
GitLab Duo Choose GitLab Duo if
- Choose GitLab Duo if your issues, code and pipelines already live in GitLab.
- Choose GitLab Duo if agent changes must follow existing policies and approvals.
- Choose GitLab Duo if self-hosting is a requirement.
GitHub Copilot Choose GitHub Copilot if
- Choose GitHub Copilot if developers need agent work across GitHub surfaces.
- Choose GitHub Copilot if you want a stated free tier with monthly completions.
- Choose GitHub Copilot if CLI, editor, desktop and mobile access matter.
02Pricing at real usage
GitLab Free includes zero GitLab Duo Agent Platform credits. Premium includes 12 credits per user per month and Ultimate includes 24; usage beyond those amounts costs $1 per credit. Duo Pro is $19 per user per month and requires Premium at $29 per user per month or Ultimate at $99. Duo Enterprise is $39 per user per month and requires Ultimate. Duo Pro and Enterprise require a one-year commitment when billed annually; annual prices are not published.
GitHub Copilot Free includes 2,000 completions monthly. Pro is $10 per user per month and includes $15 in monthly AI credits, plus a $5 monthly flex allotment. Pro+ is $39 with $70 in credits and a $31 flex allotment; Max is $100 with $200 in credits and a $100 flex allotment. Extra AI Credits are available for paid plans. Compare expected agent use, not just seat prices.
03API, SDKs and integration
GitLab Duo is an agent platform inside GitLab: agents can use project, issue and pipeline context, and their actions follow GitLab policies, approvals and audit trails. GitLab says it can connect any MCP-compatible agent and lists GitLab on AWS and Google Cloud. Its homepage presents a web entry point, but not a CLI, API or SDK integration guide. GitLab does not publish an API/SDK language matrix on that page, so teams building custom integrations should confirm supported interfaces and SDKs before committing.
Copilot connects agent sessions to GitHub issues, pull requests and repository context. The product lists a CLI, desktop app, editor, github.com and GitHub Mobile surfaces. It also mentions Copilot Connectors, MCP servers, skills and plugins, without publishing counts. Developers can connect supported cloud model providers with their own API key or use models locally with Ollama and Foundry Local. The pages describe product workflows and extension points, not a general API or SDK matrix.
04Open source, self-hosting and lock-in
GitLab is listed as self-hostable. Its agent workflow draws on GitLab projects, issues and pipelines, with policies, approvals and audit trails applied to agent changes. That fits teams already using GitLab as their control plane, but ties agent context and governance to those workflows. GitLab does not state an open-source licence for Duo on its homepage.
Copilot is built into GitHub’s workflow and carries context across its app, CLI, editor, github.com and mobile surfaces. The product page does not state a self-hosting option or an open-source licence for Copilot. Neither product page specifies data-export formats or migration tooling. Before adopting either, ask how to export agent history, configurations and usage records, and what remains available if you move repositories or change providers.
Questions people ask
Is GitLab Duo cheaper than GitHub Copilot?
Not in every configuration. Copilot Pro starts at $10 per user per month. GitLab Duo Pro is $19 per user per month and requires Premium or Ultimate, which have separate seat prices. GitLab’s Agent Platform also charges $1 per credit beyond included credits, so estimate agent usage alongside subscription costs.
Which tool fits a GitLab-based development workflow?
GitLab Duo is built around GitLab issues, projects and pipelines. Its agents can turn issues into merge requests, help remediate vulnerabilities and review code within the team’s policies and approval controls. That makes it the more direct fit when GitLab is already the team’s delivery and governance platform.
Does GitHub Copilot have a free plan?
Yes. GitHub Copilot Free is listed at $0 per user per month and includes 2,000 completions per month, access to listed models and Copilot CLI. The plan requires no credit card and includes community support.
Can GitLab Duo be self-hosted?
GitLab lists self-hosting as supported for GitLab Duo. Its homepage describes agents working with shared GitLab project, issue and pipeline context under the same policies and approvals as human changes. Check with GitLab about which deployment and plan options support your required configuration.