Orbit vs GitHub Copilot
Copilot is an autocomplete extension for your existing IDE. Orbit is a standalone development environment where the agent works across every surface. Different tools for different workflows.
At a glance
Extension for VS Code, JetBrains, and other IDEs. Suggests code as you type. Copilot Chat adds conversational AI. You stay in your existing editor with your existing workflow.
Standalone native app (Tauri + React). One agent across editor, browser, terminal, and docs. The agent takes screenshots of your running app. No inline completions.
Key differences
Inline completions as you type. Copilot Chat for conversations. Copilot Agent for multi-file edits.
Conversational agent only. No inline completions. You describe what you want, the agent builds across every surface.
Extension in your existing IDE. Works with VS Code, JetBrains, Neovim, and more.
Standalone app. You work inside Orbit. Editor, browser, terminal, vault — all in one window.
No built-in browser. You check your app in a separate window and describe what you see.
Embedded browser. The agent takes screenshots, navigates, clicks, and fills forms. Click any element, describe the change.
Developers who want faster autocomplete in their existing IDE.
Developers, founders, PMs, and vibe coders who want the agent to build while they direct.
OpenAI models. Copilot Chat uses GPT-4.
Claude only for V1. Multi-model support is on the roadmap.
$10/mo individual. $19/mo business. Free for students and open-source maintainers.
Free during early access. Sign in with Claude (any plan) or bring your own API key.
Where Copilot is better
Works in your existing IDE. No workflow change. Install the extension and you're done. Orbit is a separate app — you leave your current editor.
Inline completions. Fast tab-autocomplete as you type. Orbit has no inline completions at all.
Enterprise-ready. Compliance controls, audit logs, organization management. Orbit has none of this.
Battle-tested. Over a million paying users. Years of development. Orbit is in early access.
Cross-platform and cross-editor. VS Code, JetBrains, Neovim, on any OS. Orbit is macOS only.
Where Orbit is different
The agent sees your running app. Embedded browser with screenshots, navigation, and click-to-select. Copilot writes code but can't see the result — you describe bugs in text.
Full context from every surface. The agent reads your code, terminal output, docs in the vault, and your running app. It builds its own understanding instead of depending on what you tell it.
Built for non-developers too. Founders, PMs, and vibe coders can describe what they want and direct the agent. Copilot assumes you're writing code.
Extensible. Skills, plugins, built-in MCP creator, sub-agents, slash commands. The environment adapts to how you work.
The honest take
These tools solve different problems. Copilot speeds up the code you're already writing. Orbit gives the agent enough context to write better code on its own.
If you want faster autocomplete in your existing IDE with zero workflow change, Copilot is the proven choice. If you want the agent to see your running app and work across every surface, try Orbit.
Many developers use both — autocomplete for quick edits, an agent-based tool for larger builds.
Free during early access
Sign in with your Claude account or bring your own API key.