Claude Code
Claude Code is a standalone tool developed by Anthropic, designed to offer robust coding assistance on macOS platforms. Supporting the advanced Claude 4.5 and Claude Sonnet 4.5 LLMs, it boasts a substantial context window of over 400,000 tokens. One of its standout features is full terminal access, which, coupled with its agentic editing capabilities across multiple files, makes it a powerful tool for developers seeking comprehensive coding support. Despite its extensive features, Claude Code maintains a strong commitment to privacy with Zero Data Retention (ZDR) and holds SOC2 Type II certification for enterprise-level security. A free tier is available, with pricing ranging from $0 to $200 per month, making it accessible for a range of users. The tool requires initial setup, guided by the .clauderc configuration file, which may involve a learning curve for new users.
Pros
- ✓ Extensive context window of 400,000+ tokens
- ✓ Full terminal access
- ✓ Zero Data Retention for privacy
- ✓ Supports multi-file agentic editing
Cons
- ✕ Requires setup and configuration
- ✕ Higher price range up to $200/month
GitHub Copilot Workspace
GitHub Copilot Workspace is a versatile plugin developed by GitHub, compatible across Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems. It supports GPT-5 and Claude Sonnet LLMs, with a context window of 200k tokens. This tool is known for its predictive editing capabilities, enhancing coding efficiency by suggesting code completions and modifications. Although it does not offer terminal access, it integrates seamlessly into existing workflows with its .copilotrc configuration file and provides a standard privacy policy. With SOC2 Type II certification, GitHub Copilot Workspace ensures enterprise-level security. While there is no free tier, its pricing is competitive, ranging from $0 to $20 per month, which makes it an attractive option for developers seeking cost-effective solutions.
Pros
- ✓ Supports predictive edits
- ✓ Seamless integration with existing workflows
- ✓ Competitive pricing
Cons
- ✕ No terminal access
- ✕ No free tier available
Comparison Table
| Feature | Claude Code | GitHub Copilot Workspace |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture Type | standalone | plugin |
| Supported Os | macOS | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Developer | Anthropic | GitHub |
| Supported Llms | Claude 4.5, Claude Sonnet 4.5 | GPT-5, Claude Sonnet |
| Context Window | 400,000+ tokens | 200k tokens |
| Agentic Editing | Yes, multi-file | Yes, multi-file |
| Terminal Access | Full | No |
| Privacy Mode | Zero Data Retention (ZDR) | Standard Privacy Policy |
| Certifications | SOC2 Type II (Enterprise) | SOC2 Type II (Enterprise) |
| About Price | $0 – $200/mo | $0 – $20/mo |
| Config File | .clauderc | .copilotrc |
| Migration | Requires setup | Seamless |
Conclusion
Both Claude Code and GitHub Copilot Workspace offer unique strengths catering to different developer needs. Claude Code excels in providing extensive terminal access and privacy features, while GitHub Copilot Workspace stands out with its predictive editing and cross-platform compatibility. The choice between them will largely depend on specific user requirements and budget considerations.