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Head-to-head · AI Coding Assistant Extensions for VS Code

Tongyi Lingma vs GitHub Copilot

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 1 check side by side
Higher score Tongyi Lingma #2 in AI Coding Assistant Extensions for VS Code 9.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 3 features Visit Tongyi Lingma

Tongyi Lingma leads on 0 checks, GitHub Copilot on 0, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 1 yes/no, price and count check where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreTongyi Lingma · 9.2/10
  • Free planboth

Tongyi Lingma scores higher on our rubric for ai coding assistant extensions for vs code: 9.2 against 8.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #4.

Tongyi Lingma is the better fit for developers needing project-aware agent workflows. GitHub Copilot is the better fit for VS Code users wanting a mature, widely integrated tool.

  • Tongyi Lingma fits best

    Developers needing project-aware agent workflows

  • GitHub Copilot fits best

    VS Code users wanting a mature, widely integrated tool

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Tongyi Lingma 9.2/10 Visit ↗ GitHub Copilot 8.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.2 8.9
Ranking #2 in AI Coding Assistant Extensions for VS Code #4 in AI Coding Assistant Extensions for VS Code
Best for Developers needing project-aware agent workflows VS Code users wanting a mature, widely integrated tool
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price — $10/user/mo
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Cloud, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Support Email, Tickets, Docs Email, Tickets, Community, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Tongyi Lingma 0/3 · GitHub Copilot 0/3
Codebase context Not checked yet Not checked yet
Inline completions Not checked yet Not checked yet
Editor chat Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Model choice Not checked yet Not checked yet
Supported platforms Not checked yet Not checked yet
Free AI requests Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Combines cross-file context with inline and function-level completion
  • Agent can plan tasks, edit files, and execute terminal commands
  • Includes repair suggestions, test generation, and MCP tool usage
  • Inline completion, chat, and IDE agent mode in one tool
  • Works across VS Code, JetBrains IDEs, Eclipse, Xcode, and more
  • Free plan includes 2,000 completions per month and Copilot CLI
Cons
  • Several personal and enterprise plans share the same listed core features
  • Personal Professional is marked limited free despite a displayed CNY 59 amount
  • Enterprise options may be more than solo developers need
  • Free plan limits chat and agent usage
  • Paid plans have monthly AI-credit allowances
  • Some features, including organization indexing, depend on plan
Our verdict

Tongyi Lingma is Alibaba Cloud’s AI coding assistant for developers and engineering teams who want help across more than code completion. It pairs inline and function-level suggestions with developer Q&A, code explanations, error…

Read the review →

GitHub Copilot brings inline code completion, chat, agent workflows, code review, and terminal-based assistance to developers working in VS Code and other supported environments. It is aimed at individual developers as well as teams and…

Read the review →
  1. Tongyi LingmaAI Coding Assistant Extensions for VS Code 9.2Free plan
  2. GitHub CopilotAI Coding Assistant Extensions for VS Code 8.9Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Tongyi Lingma — where it wins

    • Combines cross-file context with inline and function-level completion
    • Agent can plan tasks, edit files, and execute terminal commands
    • Includes repair suggestions, test generation, and MCP tool usage

    Where it doesn't

    • Several personal and enterprise plans share the same listed core features
    • Personal Professional is marked limited free despite a displayed CNY 59 amount
    • Enterprise options may be more than solo developers need
  • GitHub Copilot — where it wins

    • Inline completion, chat, and IDE agent mode in one tool
    • Works across VS Code, JetBrains IDEs, Eclipse, Xcode, and more
    • Free plan includes 2,000 completions per month and Copilot CLI

    Where it doesn't

    • Free plan limits chat and agent usage
    • Paid plans have monthly AI-credit allowances
    • Some features, including organization indexing, depend on plan

More comparisons

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update