List of the Top 6 Code Editors for GitHub Copilot in 2025

VSCode represents a groundbreaking shift in the realm of code editing, being entirely free, open-source, and available across multiple operating systems. Beyond basic syntax highlighting and autocomplete features, it incorporates IntelliSense, which offers smart suggestions tailored to the types of variables, function definitions, and imported modules you are using. The editor also allows you to debug your code seamlessly, enabling you to either launch or connect to your running applications while utilizing breakpoints, call stacks, and an interactive console for a more thorough analysis. Integrating with Git and other source control management (SCM) systems has never been easier; you can inspect differences, stage files, and commit changes directly from the editor interface. Effortlessly pushing and pulling changes from any hosted SCM service adds to the convenience. If you're seeking more features, you can enhance your VSCode experience with extensions that bring in new programming languages, themes, debuggers, and connections to a wide array of services. These extensions function in separate processes, ensuring that they do not compromise the performance of your editor. The potential for customization through extensions is virtually limitless. Additionally, with the support of Microsoft Azure, you can effectively deploy and host diverse websites developed using frameworks like React, Angular, Vue, and Node, while having the capability to manage both relational and document-based data seamlessly, enabling effortless scalability through serverless computing options. This robust integration not only optimizes your development workflow but also significantly boosts your overall productivity, making VSCode an indispensable tool for developers.

IntelliJ IDEA is a comprehensive, cutting-edge IDE from JetBrains designed to empower professional developers working primarily in Java and Kotlin. It accelerates development by automating repetitive tasks and providing intelligent coding assistance, helping developers write cleaner, more reliable code. Supporting the entire software development lifecycle, IntelliJ IDEA offers tools for design, implementation, debugging, testing, and deployment—all in one seamless environment. The latest release includes full Java 24 support, integrating new language features like stream gatherers for enhanced debugging workflows. Kotlin’s K2 mode is now enabled by default, providing faster code analysis, improved memory use, and better support for the latest Kotlin language features. A new Kotlin Notebook feature facilitates live prototyping, documentation, and data analysis directly inside the IDE. IntelliJ IDEA’s Spring Debugger simplifies working with dynamic database connections, improving developer efficiency in complex projects. With strong customization options, developers can tailor the IDE’s appearance and behavior to their workflow. JetBrains enforces strict compliance with industry-leading security standards such as SOC 2, safeguarding organizational data. Trusted by millions worldwide, IntelliJ IDEA is the IDE of choice for developers aiming for superior productivity and code quality.

Visual Studio is Microsoft’s premier IDE for developers creating applications on Windows, especially using .NET and C++. It combines an intuitive code editor with powerful debugging, compiling, and design tools to facilitate a streamlined development workflow. The IDE integrates AI-powered features through GitHub Copilot, which assists with code generation, refactoring, bug fixing, and performance tuning, reducing manual effort and accelerating project completion. Visual Studio’s agent mode enables automation of complex tasks such as code refactoring, build pipelines, testing, and pull requests, allowing teams to scale development best practices easily. Developers benefit from advanced debugging capabilities including memory analysis, root cause insights, and an interactive console for deeper problem-solving. Visual Studio encourages collaboration by supporting real-time code sharing and team-specific rule enforcement. Its ecosystem is enriched by thousands of extensions that customize the user experience and add new features. The platform supports development for any device or platform, from desktop applications to cloud and mobile solutions. Visual Studio also emphasizes quality and security, with tools to enforce naming, style, and security policies as well as CI-aware test coverage. Trusted by millions worldwide, Visual Studio empowers developers to write cleaner, faster, and more reliable code.

Introducing the AI-focused Code Editor. Cursor is an innovative code editor enriched with AI capabilities, designed to accelerate the software development process by offering comprehensive, real-time assistance while coding. This tool seamlessly fits into your current development workflow, boasting advanced features such as natural language code editing, intelligent auto-completion, and context-aware suggestions. By predicting your next coding actions and adapting to your specific coding style, Cursor proves to be an indispensable resource for developers. In addition, it supports a wide variety of extensions and themes, striking a balance between user familiarity and cutting-edge AI features. Aimed at boosting productivity, Cursor not only simplifies the debugging process but also significantly enhances coding efficiency, enabling developers to accomplish more in less time. In summary, Cursor redefines the coding experience by blending traditional programming methods with contemporary AI innovations, establishing a new benchmark for coding tools in the industry. As developers continue to embrace these advancements, Cursor positions itself as a key player in shaping the future of software development.

Zed is a sophisticated code editor designed to foster smooth collaboration between humans and artificial intelligence, with a strong focus on performance optimization. Constructed entirely in Rust, it leverages the power of multiple CPU cores and GPU resources to enable the incorporation of advanced language models into your coding processes, facilitating tasks like code generation, transformation, and thorough analysis. The platform promotes instantaneous communication among team members, offering features for collaborative note-taking, screen sharing, and effective project management. With its innovative multibuffer system, users can edit chosen snippets from the entire codebase within a unified interface, enhancing convenience and workflow. Additionally, it incorporates inline code execution through Jupyter runtimes, which allows for collaborative editing of notebooks. Zed is versatile and supports a plethora of programming languages, made possible by the integration of Tree-sitter, WebAssembly, and the Language Server Protocol. Its fast native terminal works in conjunction with Zed's intelligent task runner and AI capabilities, significantly boosting productivity. The editor also supports advanced modal editing through Vim bindings, featuring tools like text objects and marks, which contribute to efficient navigation. Developed by a large and diverse global community of thousands of programmers, Zed invites users to improve their experience with a vast selection of extensions that enhance language functionalities, introduce various themes, and much more. Moreover, its intuitive design is crafted to simplify development workflows, making it a premier option for programmers eager to maximize their coding efficiency while enjoying a collaborative environment. Ultimately, Zed stands out by combining cutting-edge technology with user-centered features to transform the coding experience.

Neovim features a robust API that is easy to explore, version-controlled, and thoroughly documented. By utilizing MessagePack for structured communication, it enables the creation of extensions in any programming language. The architecture allows remote plugins to function as co-processes, which promotes safety and supports asynchronous execution. This versatility permits integration with various platforms, including GUIs, IDEs, and web browsers, where Neovim can serve as an editing tool or scripting host effortlessly. The consistency across all environments is achieved through a unified build type and command interface. Neovim also provides advanced terminal capabilities, such as cursor styling, focus events, and bracketed paste functionality, enhancing the user experience. Equipped with a built-in terminal emulator and sensible defaults, it ensures complete compatibility with Vim's editing model and Vimscript v1. For those moving from Vim, it is advisable to begin with :help nvim-from-vim for guidance. The latest stable release is version 0.5 (RSS), with a roadmap available for users interested in updates and forthcoming goals. Neovim is designed to support new applications while staying true to Vim's core functionalities, all while boasting 30% less source code compared to Vim. Furthermore, while Lua is incorporated into Neovim, it also provides robust support for Vimscript, featuring the most advanced Vimscript engine available, complete with an AST-producing parser that enhances performance. This dual compatibility empowers users to utilize their existing scripts while also exploring the rich features offered by Lua, making it a versatile choice for developers. With its commitment to innovation and user-friendly design, Neovim continues to evolve as a powerful tool in the editing landscape.