GitHub vs Windsurf (formerly Codeium) — Pricing, Plans, and Verified Costs (2026)
GitHub starts at $4/mo. Windsurf (formerly Codeium) starts at $20/mo. GitHub is $16/mo cheaper on the entry tier than Windsurf (formerly Codeium).
See price history: GitHub · Windsurf (formerly Codeium)
The dominant developer platform (source control + code review + CI/CD + package registry), owned by Microsoft ($7.5B acquisition, 2018). Positioned as the alternative to GitLab and Bitbucket for the vast majority of open-source and enterprise software teams. Distinctive for its Copilot AI product ($10-$39/user/mo) that became Microsoft's fastest-growing AI SKU. Priced free (unlimited public + private repos) up to $21/user/mo Enterprise. Real cost bloat: GitHub Actions minutes and Copilot seats scale with team activity.
AI code completion and chat assistant from the Windsurf company. Free tier is unusually generous — unlimited autocomplete for individuals with no card required. Pricing: Free (unlimited individual), Teams $12/user/mo (adds team admin + more advanced models), Enterprise $35/user/mo (SSO, dedicated support, on-prem option). Positioned as the free-tier alternative to GitHub Copilot; the paid tiers are for teams that need governance.
All plans compared
| Tier role | Plan | GitHub monthly | GitHub annual | Windsurf (formerly Codeium) monthly | Windsurf (formerly Codeium) annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free / starter | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free |
| Entry paid | — / Pro | — | — | $20 | $20 |
| Pro / power | — / Max | — | — | $200 | $200 |
| Teams | Team / Teams | $4 | $4 | $40 | $40 |
| Enterprise | Enterprise | $21 | $21 | Custom | Custom |
Tier names differ across vendors. Rows are aligned by tier role, not name. Full tier structures on each tool's page.
What each is best for
GitHub is worth it if… GitHub is still the default Git host in 2026 for any team that wants industry-standard PR workflows, code review, CI/CD (Actions), and native Copilot AI. Free for public repos; Team is the entry paid tier, Enterprise for larger orgs.
Windsurf (formerly Codeium) is worth it if… Codeium is worth it for individual developers who want a fully free AI autocomplete without hitting message caps. Teams ($12/user/mo) is the cheapest true multi-user AI coding tool in market.
Bottom line: Similar positioning, closer to a preference call than a strategic one.
Choose GitHub over Windsurf (formerly Codeium) if…
Choose GitHub if…
- You want fixed-price predictability (per seat, from $4/mo).
- You match the profile GitHub is built for: still the default Git host in 2026 for any team that wants industry-standard PR workflows, code review, CI/CD (Actions), and native Copilot AI.
- You need a general-purpose developer & infrastructure option rather than a vertical-specific one.
Choose Windsurf (formerly Codeium) if…
- You want fixed-price predictability (per seat, from $20/mo).
- You match the profile Windsurf (formerly Codeium) is built for: Codeium is worth it for individual developers who want a fully free AI autocomplete without hitting message caps.
- You need a general-purpose developer & infrastructure option rather than a vertical-specific one.
At a glance
| GitHub | Windsurf (formerly Codeium) | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Entry price | $4/mo | $20/mo |
| Enterprise available | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing model | Per Seat | Per Seat |
| Last verified | September 14, 2026 | September 20, 2026 |
| Full pricing | View full pricing | View full pricing |
Pricing last verified September 20, 2026. Tracked daily.
Frequently asked questions
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