GitHub Copilot vs Mellum by JetBrains: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between GitHub Copilot and Mellum by JetBrains comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Bottom line: GitHub Copilot wins this matchup. GitLab is our overall AI Coding pick. GitLab is our free AI Coding pick. Pick Mellum by JetBrains if you need its specific feature set.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
GitHub Copilot
AI pair programmer that suggests code
Best for you if:
- • You want works in any IDE
- • You want great for boilerplate
Mellum by JetBrains
AI coding assistant for JetBrains IDEs
Best for you if:
- • You want deep integration with JetBrains IDEs for a seamless workflow
- • You want significantly speeds up coding and reduces boilerplate
| At a Glance | GitHub Copilot | Mellum by JetBrains |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | $10/moPro | Custom |
Best For | AI Coding | AI Coding |
Rating | - | - |
Free plan | No | No |
Choose GitHub Copilot or Mellum by JetBrains?
Choose GitHub Copilot if
AI pair programmer that suggests code
- You want works in any IDE
- You want great for boilerplate
Choose Mellum by JetBrains if
AI coding assistant for JetBrains IDEs
- You want deep integration with JetBrains IDEs for a seamless workflow
- You want significantly speeds up coding and reduces boilerplate
| Feature | GitHub Copilot | Mellum by JetBrains |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| User Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Categories | AI CodingDeveloper Tools | AI CodingDeveloper Tools |
In-Depth Analysis
GitHub Copilot
AI pair programmer that suggests code
GitHub Copilot is the most widely adopted AI coding assistant, and the 2026 pricing restructure makes it more competitive than ever.
Watch out
Premium request limits: Free gets 50/mo, Pro gets 300, Pro+ gets 1,500. Heavy users on Pro burn through 300 requests in 2 weeks, especially when using agent mode which can consume 5-10 requests per task
Strengths
- +Works in any IDE
- +Great for boilerplate
- +Learns your style
- +Free for students
Weaknesses
- -Monthly fee
- -Sometimes suggests wrong code
- -No codebase awareness (vs Cursor)
Key features
Mellum by JetBrains
AI coding assistant for JetBrains IDEs
Strengths
- +Deep integration with JetBrains IDEs for a seamless workflow.
- +Significantly speeds up coding and reduces boilerplate.
- +Helps developers understand unfamiliar codebases quickly.
- +Improves code quality through intelligent suggestions and refactoring.
Weaknesses
- -Requires an existing JetBrains IDE subscription.
- -May have a learning curve for optimal utilization of AI features.
- -Reliance on AI might reduce deep understanding of certain code segments over time.
Key features
Pricing: GitHub Copilot vs Mellum by JetBrains
| Plan | GitHub Copilot | Mellum by JetBrains |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Free | N/A |
| Tier 2 | $10 Pro | N/A |
| Tier 3 | $39 Pro+ | N/A |
| Tier 4 | $19 Business | N/A |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on GitHub Copilot pricing and Mellum by JetBrains pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are paid. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: GitHub Copilot
Want the highest-rated option?
Neither has ratings yet.
Too early to call on ratings — compare on features and pricing.
Value user reviews?
Neither has ratings yet.
Too early to call — neither has ratings yet.
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are paid. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Both are ai coding tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Neither has ratings yet.
Key Takeaways
GitHub Copilot
- Our pick for this comparison
Mellum by JetBrains
- Choose if you want aI coding assistant for JetBrains IDEs
The Bottom Line
GitHub Copilot wins this matchup. GitLab is our overall AI Coding pick. GitLab is our free AI Coding pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is GitHub Copilot or Mellum by JetBrains better?
GitHub Copilot is rated in our evaluation. Both are paid.
What are GitHub Copilot and Mellum by JetBrains used for?
GitHub Copilot: AI pair programmer that suggests code. Mellum by JetBrains: AI coding assistant for JetBrains IDEs.
What does GitHub Copilot cost vs Mellum by JetBrains?
GitHub Copilot is a paid tool. Mellum by JetBrains is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.