Hey everyone! I'm a full stack web developer with over six years of experience, and I've always seen AI coding tools as just that—tools to help get things done. After being skeptical for a while, I decided to subscribe to GitHub Copilot Pro back in 2024. Since then, I've integrated Copilot into my IDEs like JetBrains and VSCode for both work and personal projects. I mainly use it for creating boilerplate code, getting explanations for error messages, and receiving inline suggestions during simpler tasks. However, I find it tough to really embrace vibe coding, as I prefer to understand the thought process behind every line I add. I've noticed many people using Claude Code, which is slightly pricier than Copilot. I'm curious: Is it worth the €180/year for the Pro version? Do you think it suits my use case? What features does it have compared to GitHub Copilot?
4 Answers
What’s the actual difference between using Claude through GitHub Copilot in your IDE and using Claude Code directly?
I've been using Amazon-q, which I believe is essentially Claude with additional AWS training features. The Pro version also has the benefit of not training others with your code, which is nice. Right now, it costs about $20/month! Looking into Claude Code might be worthwhile if that's something you need.
Honestly, starting with GitHub Copilot Pro is a solid idea because it gives you access to Claude as a model at a better price. Just so you know, the Copilot you’re using isn’t the same one people think of broadly—it’s a wrapper around ChatGPT. GitHub Copilot Pro actually incorporates Claude 4.5 and others. If you're looking for a cheaper option to experiment with some features, this could be your best bet!
I appreciate the insight! I already use GitHub Copilot Pro, and I'm really a fan of the Claude 4.5 models, which is why I'm curious about Claude Code.
For what you're working on, Copilot should suffice. You can actually use the Claude models in Copilot, which is great. Claude Code shines in automating more complex tasks, which is what vibe coding is all about. If that's not your jam, then I’d recommend sticking with Copilot.
That's exactly what I'm trying to figure out!