Best AI coding assistants for beginners (2026)
A comparison of GitHub Copilot, Claude and ChatGPT for learning to code: free plans, student plan, published prices and tips to avoid relying on AI.
Date checked: 16 October 2026. Features and plans change; always check the official site.
When learning to code, an AI assistant can help a lot—as long as you use it to understand, not just to copy.
| GitHub Copilot | Claude | ChatGPT | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | Copilot Free: limited access, 2,000 completions/month | Chat, file creation and code execution | Limited Codex access |
| Students | Copilot Student free (verified) | — | — |
| Paid | Pro $10/month; Pro+ $39/month | Pro (includes Claude Code) $17/month annual or $20/month | Plus: extended Codex usage |
| Where | Code editor (IDE), GitHub, mobile and terminal | Web, desktop, mobile and terminal (Code) | Web, desktop and mobile |
| Prices | In dollars | In dollars, excl. tax | No € on its page |
What to use when
- You learn in an editor (VS Code): GitHub Copilot Free, or Student if eligible.
- You want explanations and exercises: any chat; ask it to explain why.
- Always: don’t paste passwords or keys into code you share with AI.
Before letting an AI run things on your computer, read AI agents: risks.
Checked offers: NVIDIA’s free NIM API for developers.
Frequently asked questions
Is GitHub Copilot free?
Yes, Copilot Free has limited access (e.g. 2,000 code completions a month) and Copilot Student is free for verified students. Copilot Pro is $10 a month.
Is Claude Code on the free plan?
No. According to Anthropic, Claude Code is included in all paid plans, not Free.
Keep reading
Sources
- Planes para GitHub Copilot — GitHub
- Claude pricing — Anthropic
- Planes y precios de ChatGPT — OpenAI
Change log
- : First published with GitHub Copilot, Claude and ChatGPT plans checked on 16/10/2026.
Educational content, prepared with the help of AI tools, with sources cited. It is not a substitute for professional advice. Tools change fast: if you spot something out of date, write to us at contacto@cognenza.com. How we work.