How to use GitHub Copilot for FREE in 2025 [Pro] [100% Working]

GitHub Copilot is an amazing AI-powered coding assistant that can supercharge your development workflow. But what happens when your free trial or student pack expires? Don’t worry! This guide will show you how to use GitHub Copilot for FREE in 2025, with methods that are 100% legal and working.

What is GitHub Copilot?

For those new to the world of AI-assisted coding, GitHub Copilot offers two primary features:

• Code Completion (Tab Autocomplete): As you type, Copilot suggests code snippets, entire functions, or even blocks of code. Just press Tab to accept the suggestion and drastically reduce your coding time. It learns from your coding style and provides context-aware suggestions based on comments and existing code.
• GitHub Copilot Chat: Think of it as having a coding expert available right inside your VS Code editor. You can ask questions about your codebase, request code modifications, or even generate code from scratch.

Method 1: The Official Ways to Get GitHub Copilot for Free

• GitHub Student, Teacher, and Open Source Maintainer Benefits: If you’re a student, teacher, or open-source maintainer, you might be eligible for a GitHub Copilot for Free subscription through the GitHub Education program.
  • GitHub Copilot Free for Students, Teachers, and Open Source Maintainers

Method 2: Free Alternatives Offering GitHub Copilot for Free Functionality

If you are not eligible for the official free tiers, there are free alternatives that provide similar GitHub Copilot for Free functionality.

• CodiumAI: CodiumAI is a VS Code extension that provides AI-powered code completion and chat features, similar to GitHub Copilot. It’s completely free and doesn’t have usage limits.
  • Features:
    • Code completion
    • Chat functionality
    • Context-aware suggestions
    • No usage limits
  • How to Use:
    1. Install the CodiumAI extension in VS Code.
       • Codeium VSCode Extension
    2. Activate the extension.
    3. Start coding and CodiumAI will provide code suggestions.
    4. Use the chat feature by selecting text and pressing Command + I (Mac) or Ctrl + I (Windows).

Method 3: Run Local Models to Get GitHub Copilot for Free Features with Ollama and Continue Dev

If you have a high-end PC with a dedicated GPU, you can run local AI models to get GitHub Copilot for Free like code completion and chat features.

• Ollama: Ollama allows you to run open-source large language models (LLMs) locally on your machine. This means you don’t need an internet connection to use the AI models.
  • How to Setup Ollama:
    1. Download and install Ollama.
    2. Run Ollama in the background.
• Continue Dev: Continue Dev is a VS Code extension that allows you to use local AI models for code completion and chat features.
  • How to Setup Continue Dev:
    1. Install the Continue Dev extension in VS Code.
       • Continue Dev VSCode Extension
    2. Configure Continue Dev to use a local model.
       • Continue Dev: Model Setup
• Recommended Models:
  • Qwen 2.5 Coder: This model provides a good balance of performance and accuracy. It comes in different sizes (1.5B, 3B, 7B, 14B, 32B). Choose the size that your GPU can handle.
    • Ollama Model: Qwen 2.5 Coder
  • LM Studio: This is another option for running local AI models.
  • How to Download and Run a Model:
    1. Open your terminal.
    2. Run the following command: ollama run qwen2.5-coder:1.5b (replace 1.5b with the size of the model you want to download).
    3. Test the model by typing “hi” and see if it replies.
  • How to Configure Continue Dev to Use the Model:
    1. Click on Continue Dev in VS Code.
    2. Open the chat.
    3. Select the model you want to use.
    4. Go to settings and configure the model.
    5. Set the provider to ollama.

Conclusion

GitHub Copilot is a powerful tool, but it’s not the only option. By exploring these free methods, you can continue to enjoy AI-assisted coding in 2025 without breaking the bank. Whether you’re eligible for a free Copilot subscription or prefer to use free extensions or local models, there’s a solution for everyone. Keep compiling the future!