Antigravity CLI is Google's terminal agent. GitHub Copilot is GitHub's AI assistant, which works in editors such as VS Code and JetBrains and also offers a coding agent and a command-line tool. Both are free to try, with limits.
The short version
| Antigravity CLI | GitHub Copilot | |
|---|---|---|
| Made by | GitHub | |
| Where you work | Terminal | Your editor (VS Code, JetBrains and more), plus a CLI and coding agent |
| Open source | Not stated in Google's docs | No |
| Free plan | Yes, Individuals plan with basic weekly rate limits | Yes, 2,000 completions a month and limited chat and agent use |
| MCP servers | Yes | Yes |
| Project instructions | AGENTS.md or GEMINI.md | Varies by editor |
| Sign-in | Personal Google account, Google Cloud or Gemini API key | GitHub account |
Check Google's pricing page and github.com/features/copilot/plans for current details.
Key differences
Where it lives. Copilot is built into the editor, so suggestions appear as you type and chat sits beside your code. Antigravity CLI runs in a terminal, where you describe a task and review each proposed change as a diff.
GitHub tie-ins. Copilot connects with GitHub issues and pull requests. Antigravity CLI doesn't depend on GitHub.
Features vary. Copilot's features differ from one editor to another. Antigravity CLI behaves the same wherever you have a terminal, including over SSH.
Who should pick what
- You want suggestions as you type: GitHub Copilot.
- You work with GitHub issues and pull requests all day: GitHub Copilot.
- You want an agent to take on a multi-step task in a terminal: Antigravity CLI.
- You have a Google account and want to try a free agent: Antigravity CLI.
Our verdict
They solve slightly different problems: Copilot assists inside your editor, Antigravity CLI works on whole tasks from the terminal. Try each on a small job. See Antigravity CLI vs Cursor for another editor-versus-terminal comparison, and our Antigravity CLI getting started guide to begin.