GitHub Copilot, the AI-powered coding assistant from Microsoft-owned GitHub just hit a new milestone of over 20 million users. This milestone was first revealed by Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella during the company’s quarterly earnings call last week. He stressed the increasing adoption and influence of this exciting tool on the software development landscape.
Since its initial launch, GitHub Copilot has experienced extraordinary adoption rates within its user base. At its peak in April, the tool boasted 15 million monthly users. What this means is that in merely the last three months—December to now—5 million new users have boarded and adopted the service! This explosive uptick is indicative of the growing use and dependence on AI tools from developers looking to find help with their coding tasks. Since its arrival, GitHub Copilot has become an indispensable tool for countless developers, showcasing the transformative power of AI to boost productivity and streamline workflows.
Second, GitHub Copilot has had astonishing success, particularly in terms of user numbers. As we have discussed, its funding has been a key part of GitHub’s explosive growth. GitHub Copilot in practice Marketing collateral aside, reports have indicated that as of 2024 GitHub Copilot was raking in substantial revenue. That has made Figma a bigger business than GitHub was when acquired by Microsoft in 2018. This trajectory speaks to the tool’s immense value in the marketplace, and its potential for future growth.
In what is largely seen to be the three-way competitive landscape of AI coding companions, Cursor has risen to the forefront as a GitHub Copilot alternative. With an annualized recurring revenue (ARR) exceeding $500 million, Cursor aims to carve out its niche in the enterprise sector. Cursor is intentionally positioned to further that mission. During the pandemic boom, it started aggressively recruiting top talent from hot, new AI startups to bolster its own capabilities and product offerings.
Both GitHub Copilot and Cursor are leading the charge to release AI agents built to automate parts of a programming workflow. These virtual agents support human programmers by checking code and locating errors. They bring confidence to the coding process that increases productivity and satisfaction. With both platforms focusing on matching each other’s capabilities, the fight to win you as a user is becoming more competitive than ever.
AI coding tools are developing at an unprecedented pace. Making this region one of the most agile and competitive markets in the booming AI market overall by 2025 is one of the predictions made. As GitHub Copilot and Cursor are both in the process of constantly improving their products and expanding their customer bases, for developers, these advancements mean more powerful, more user-friendly tools aimed at streamlining and improving their coding workflows.
