GitHub Copilot in IntelliJ is still the most searched JetBrains AI coding setup, but it is not the only serious option in 2026. Developers using IntelliJ IDEA, PyCharm, WebStorm, PhpStorm, GoLand, Rider, CLion or RubyMine now have a real choice between GitHub Copilot, JetBrains AI Assistant, Windsurf and Codeium.

This guide compares the best AI coding tools for IntelliJ and JetBrains IDEs, with a practical focus on setup, code completion, chat, agent features, repository context, refactoring, tests, pricing risk and day-to-day workflow fit. The scoring uses DIY AI’s internal code-generation dataset, in which tools are rated on code accuracy, language support, debugging assistance, integration ease, repository context, refactoring strength, test generation, and documentation generation.

The short version: GitHub Copilot is the best first install for most JetBrains users who already work in GitHub. Windsurf is stronger if you want agentic multi-file workflows inside JetBrains. JetBrains AI Assistant is the most native-feeling option for teams committed to the JetBrains ecosystem. Codeium remains the best budget-friendly assistant if you mainly want completion, chat and lightweight help.

Quick verdict: the best JetBrains AI coding tools

Rank for JetBrains users	Tool	Best for	DIY AI dataset score	Main trade-off
1	GitHub Copilot	Most IntelliJ users, GitHub-centred teams and broad IDE support	9.0/10	Not as strong as the best agent-first tools on deep repo work
2	Windsurf	Developers who want agentic multi-file coding inside JetBrains	8.8/10	Less conservative than Copilot for large organisation rollout
3	Codeium	Budget-conscious developers who want completion and chat	8.4/10	Repo depth and consistency trail the category leaders
4	JetBrains AI Assistant	Teams that want the most native JetBrains workflow	8.2/10	Weaker outside JetBrains and less ambitious than agent-first rivals

How we scored AI coding tools for IntelliJ and JetBrains

We weighted the comparison around practical JetBrains development rather than demo-friendly prompts. A tool that writes a tidy Java method from a blank comment is useful, but that does not prove it can help inside a real Spring Boot service, a Laravel project in PhpStorm, a React app in WebStorm or a Kotlin Android codebase.

The DIY AI scoring framework evaluates code accuracy, language support, debugging assistance, ease of integration, learning adaptability, repository context, refactoring strength, test generation, and documentation generation. For this article, we also added a JetBrains workflow filter: how naturally the tool fits into IntelliJ-based IDEs, how much control it gives over file edits, how well it handles long code context, and whether it remains reliable when prompts move beyond single-file autocomplete.

GitHub Copilot for IntelliJ: best overall JetBrains AI coding assistant

DIY AI rating: 9.0/10

GitHub Copilot is the best default choice for most people searching for GitHub Copilot, GitHub Copilot IntelliJ, GitHub Copilot IntelliJ plugin, GitHub Copilot JetBrains, or GitHub Copilot. It has the broadest adoption story, strong inline completions, useful chat, growing agent features and familiar billing for teams already using GitHub.

Its biggest advantage is integration ease. In the dataset, Copilot scores 9.6/10 for Integration Ease, the highest score in this comparison. That matters because many JetBrains users do not want to rebuild their workflow around an AI editor. They want IntelliJ IDEA, PyCharm, PhpStorm or WebStorm to remain the centre of the workflow, with AI available when needed.

Copilot is strongest for inline code suggestions, chat-based explanations of unfamiliar code, generating first-pass tests, drafting scripts and helping GitHub-centred teams stay inside their existing development process.

The weakness is depth. Copilot is strong, but it does not always feel as forceful as Claude Code, Cursor, or Windsurf when a task requires aggressive multi-file planning, repeated terminal checks, and careful repository repair. It can help with refactors, but senior developers still need to constrain the scope, inspect diffs and run the proper test suite.

GitHub Copilot IntelliJ setup steps

1. Open IntelliJ IDEA or another supported JetBrains IDE.
2. Go to Settings or Preferences, then Plugins.
3. Open the Marketplace tab.
4. Search for GitHub Copilot.
5. Install the plugin and restart the IDE when prompted.
6. Sign in with the GitHub account that has Copilot access.
7. Open a project and check the Copilot status icon in the JetBrains status bar.
8. Open Copilot Chat from the IDE side panel and test it on a small file before giving it a broad task.

For the latest installation flow, use GitHub’s official Copilot for JetBrains installation guide.

GitHub Copilot pros and cons

Pros	Cons
Best all-round starting point for GitHub and JetBrains users	Not the deepest option for complex repo-wide refactors
Excellent integration ease score at 9.6/10	Premium model and agent usage can make costs harder to predict
Works across many JetBrains IDEs, not just IntelliJ IDEA	Suggestions still need strict review before merge
Strong for inline completions, chat and mainstream development tasks	Can be noisy if completions are enabled for languages where you do not want help

Windsurf for JetBrains: best for agentic multi-file work

DIY AI rating: 8.8/10

Windsurf is the strongest JetBrains option if your main interest is agentic coding rather than classic autocomplete. It brings a more active coding-agent workflow into JetBrains IDEs and is better suited to multi-file implementation work than lighter completion tools.

In the DIY AI dataset, Windsurf scores 9.0/10 for Repository Context and 9.1/10 for Refactoring Strength. Those numbers matter for JetBrains users because the hardest tasks are rarely isolated. A real refactor may touch a controller, service class, tests, routing, validation, types and documentation. A weaker assistant can generate plausible fragments but lose the thread across files.

Windsurf is a good fit when you want to stay in IntelliJ or PyCharm but still ask the assistant to inspect context, edit multiple files, help with a plan and move through a task more actively. It is closer to the direction discussed in our guide to AI code tools for becoming pair programmers.

The trade-off is organisational conservatism. Copilot remains easier to justify in many GitHub-heavy teams because procurement, permissions and developer familiarity are simpler. Windsurf may be the better development experience for some users, but it is a wider choice than simply adding Copilot to an existing GitHub stack.

Windsurf pros and cons

Pros	Cons
Strongest JetBrains option here for agentic multi-file workflows	Less obvious default for conservative enterprise teams
Good repository context score at 9.0/10	Usage-based model selection can make cost planning less simple
Better fit than basic completion tools for larger edits	Requires developers to learn a more agent-led workflow
Useful when you want momentum without leaving JetBrains	Still needs human review, especially on broad file changes

Codeium for JetBrains: best budget-friendly option

DIY AI rating: 8.4/10

Codeium is the sensible option for developers who want AI completion and chat in JetBrains without immediately committing to a heavier or more expensive coding system. It scores 8.7/10 for Integration Ease and 8.8/10 for Language Support, making it useful for mixed projects.

The pitch is simple: good everyday help, lower friction and enough capability for common coding tasks. That is valuable for freelancers, students, small teams and developers who do not need advanced agent workflows all day.

Codeium is best used for autocomplete in common languages, explaining unfamiliar functions, generating small helper functions, drafting comments, writing docstrings, and replacing repetitive lookups and boilerplate work.

The reason it does not rank higher is that budget-friendly does not mean strongest. Codeium’s dataset scores for Repository Context and Test Generation are 8.3/10 and 8.1/10, respectively. Those are respectable, but below Copilot and Windsurf. If your main pain is a large, messy repository, do not choose purely on price.

Codeium pros and cons

Pros	Cons
Good value for developers who mainly need completion and chat	Not as strong for difficult multi-file tasks
Solid language support score at 8.8/10	Repository context trails Copilot and Windsurf
Easy to trial without changing IDE	Less compelling for teams standardising around GitHub governance
Useful for students, freelancers and lighter daily coding	Generated tests and refactors need more manual checking

JetBrains AI Assistant: best native JetBrains experience

DIY AI rating: 8.2/10

JetBrains AI Assistant is the most natural option if your priority is staying close to the JetBrains way of working. It sits within the IDE family, integrates with JetBrains features, and feels less like a third-party layer than Copilot or Windsurf.

That native fit matters. JetBrains IDEs already have strong indexing, inspections, navigation, refactoring and language-aware tooling. An AI assistant that sits alongside those features can be useful for explanations, code generation, commit messages, documentation, tests, and small refactors.

In the dataset, JetBrains AI Assistant scores 8.9/10 for Integration Ease, which is its clearest strength. The lower scores are in Repository Context (8.0/10) and Language Support (7.9/10). That tells the story well: it is tidy, practical and convenient for JetBrains-first users, but not the strongest neutral coding assistant overall.

Choose JetBrains AI Assistant if your team already pays for JetBrains tools, prefers native IDE features over external agents, and wants AI assistance without encouraging developers to move into another editor. Avoid it as the only AI coding tool if your developers need the strongest possible repo-wide refactoring, agent execution or advanced multi-model workflow.

JetBrains AI Assistant pros and cons

Pros	Cons
Most native-feeling option inside JetBrains IDEs	Lower overall dataset score than Copilot, Windsurf and Codeium
Good fit for IntelliJ, PyCharm, WebStorm, PhpStorm and Rider users	Less useful if your team is not fully committed to JetBrains
Strong integration ease score at 8.9/10	Not the most powerful option for large refactors
Good choice for conservative teams that value IDE-native controls	Can feel less ambitious than agent-led tools

Copilot vs JetBrains AI Assistant vs Codeium vs Windsurf

Criterion	GitHub Copilot	Windsurf	Codeium	JetBrains AI Assistant
Best use case	General JetBrains AI coding assistant	Agentic multi-file work	Budget-friendly completion and chat	Native JetBrains workflow
Overall dataset score	9.0/10	8.8/10	8.4/10	8.2/10
Control over changes	Good, especially for smaller tasks and reviewable edits	Strong for agent-led workflows, but needs clear scope	Good for lightweight edits	Good inside JetBrains-native workflows
Handling long-form repository context	Good, but not category-leading	Strongest of these plugin-style JetBrains options	Moderate	Moderate
Reliability with complex prompts	Good when the task is bounded	Best here for larger multi-step prompts	Better for simpler prompts	Good for IDE-native assistance, less strong for broad agent work
Best for tests	Strong, with 8.8/10 for Test Generation	Good, with 8.6/10 for Test Generation	Fair, with 8.1/10 for Test Generation	Fair, with 8.0/10 for Test Generation
Best for refactoring	8.8/10	9.1/10	8.5/10	8.3/10

Which AI coding tool should JetBrains developers install first?

Most IntelliJ and JetBrains users should install GitHub Copilot first if they already use GitHub every day. It is the safest answer for developers who want useful AI without changing the editor, repository hosting or review process. It is also the best match for the exact search intent behind “GitHub Copilot IntelliJ” and “GitHub Copilot JetBrains”.

Install Windsurf first if you are less interested in autocomplete and more interested in multi-file task execution. It makes more sense when you regularly ask AI to modify several files, plan implementation steps, and help with broad repository changes.

Install Codeium first if cost and simplicity matter most. It is not the strongest tool in the dataset, but it is capable enough for everyday help and easier to justify where full agentic coding is not needed.

Install JetBrains AI Assistant first if you trust the JetBrains ecosystem and want the assistant to feel like part of the IDE rather than an external product. This is the most natural choice for teams that standardise heavily on IntelliJ IDEA Ultimate, PyCharm Professional, WebStorm, PhpStorm or Rider.

Common GitHub Copilot IntelliJ plugin problems

Most Copilot issues in IntelliJ are not model-related. They are setup, policy or context problems.

Copilot is installed, but not suggesting code.

Check the Copilot status icon first. It may be turned off globally or disabled for the current language. Also, check that you are signed in to the GitHub account with Copilot access and that your organisation has not turned off the relevant feature.

Copilot Chat is missing or restricted.

In organisation-managed accounts, chat and agent features may be controlled by policy. A developer can have Copilot access but still be blocked from specific features by an admin setting.

Suggestions are poor in a large project.

Do not start with a vague prompt. Open the relevant files, specify the framework, define which files should and should not be edited, and ask the assistant to explain the plan before editing. This is especially important in Spring, Laravel, Django, Rails, React, Next.js and monorepo projects.

The assistant creates tests that look useful but fail

This is normal. AI-generated tests are starting points, not proof. Use the assistant to draft test cases, then run the test suite, inspect fixtures, check mocks and make sure the test asserts meaningful behaviour. Our best AI tools for unit test generation guide covers that workflow in more detail.

Buying guide: how to choose a JetBrains AI coding assistant

Choose based on workflow, not only model quality

The best coding model is not always the best tool. A strong model in an awkward workflow gets used badly. A slightly weaker assistant that fits your IDE, code review process and team habits can produce better practical results.

Check pricing against real usage.

AI coding prices are less simple than they used to be. Completions, chat, premium models, agent sessions, code review and Cloud agents may be counted differently. Before rolling out a tool across a team, test typical usage for a week: completions, test generation, one refactor, one bug fix and one documentation task. Then check the account usage screen.

Keep deterministic tools in charge of formatting.

Do not use Copilot, JetBrains AI Assistant, Windsurf or Codeium as a replacement for Prettier, Black, gofmt, rustfmt, ESLint, PHP CS Fixer, ktlint or your CI checks. Let AI help write configs or explain failures. Let deterministic tools enforce formatting.

Protect code review quality.

AI coding assistants can make a weak review process worse by increasing the amount of code produced. Use branch protection, test gates, PR templates, CODEOWNERS and security checks where appropriate. For a deeper look at the workflow, see our guide to code review automation.

Final verdict: GitHub Copilot is the safest JetBrains choice, but not always the strongest

For most developers searching for GitHub Copilot IntelliJ setup advice, the answer is simple: install the Copilot plugin, sign in, test completions and chat on a small file, then decide whether you need anything more ambitious.

GitHub Copilot is the best default AI coding assistant for JetBrains users because it combines strong output quality, broad IDE support and the easiest rollout story for GitHub-centred teams. Windsurf is the better choice if you want a more agile JetBrains workflow. Codeium is the value pick. JetBrains AI Assistant is the cleanest native choice for teams that want to stay close to JetBrains tooling.

The practical decision is not “which AI tool is best?” It is “which tool helps inside the way I already ship code?” For IntelliJ and JetBrains users in 2026, that makes Copilot the first tool to try, Windsurf the serious power-user alternative, Codeium the budget option and JetBrains AI Assistant the native ecosystem pick.

FAQs

Does GitHub Copilot work in IntelliJ?

Yes. GitHub Copilot works in IntelliJ IDEA through the GitHub Copilot plugin for JetBrains. It also supports many other JetBrains IDEs, including PyCharm, WebStorm, PhpStorm, GoLand, Rider, CLion and RubyMine.

How do I install the GitHub Copilot IntelliJ plugin?

Open IntelliJ IDEA, go to Settings or Preferences, open Plugins, search the Marketplace for GitHub Copilot, install it, restart the IDE and sign in with a GitHub account that has Copilot access.

Is GitHub Copilot better than JetBrains AI Assistant?

GitHub Copilot is better for most developers who want broad AI coding help, stronger language coverage and GitHub-centred team adoption. JetBrains AI Assistant is better if your priority is a native JetBrains workflow and you do not want a third-party assistant to become the centre of your coding process.

Is Windsurf better than Copilot for JetBrains?

Windsurf can be better for agentic multi-file work inside JetBrains. Copilot is still the safer first choice for most teams because it is familiar, widely supported and easier to roll out in GitHub-based organisations.

Is Codeium still worth using in JetBrains IDEs?

Yes, Codeium is still worth using if you want a budget-friendly AI coding assistant for completion, chat and everyday coding help. It is not the strongest option for complex repository work, but it remains useful for lighter workflows.

Can I use Copilot and JetBrains AI Assistant together?

You can install more than one assistant, but it can become distracting if several tools compete for completions and chat. Most developers should choose one main assistant, then add a second only for specific reasons, such as testing, enterprise policy, or a feature gap.

Why not just switch from IntelliJ to Cursor?

Cursor is excellent, but switching IDEs is not a small decision for JetBrains users. IntelliJ, PyCharm, WebStorm, PhpStorm and Rider have mature inspections, refactoring tools, debuggers and framework support. If that workflow is already working, a JetBrains plugin may be a better first move than replacing the IDE.

What is the best AI coding tool for IntelliJ in 2026?

GitHub Copilot is the best overall AI coding tool for IntelliJ users in 2026. Windsurf is the strongest alternative for agentic workflows, Codeium is the best budget option, and JetBrains AI Assistant is the best native choice within the JetBrains ecosystem.