By JetBrains is taking the fight to Microsoft’s home turf. The company launched AI Assistant for Visual Studio Code in public preview, bringing context-aware coding intelligence to the editor that 70% of developers use daily. With support for 8 languages and multi-file editing capabilities, it’s a direct challenge to GitHub Copilot’s dominance. The question isn’t whether developers need another AI coding tool—it’s whether JetBrains can compete where Microsoft has home field advantage.
What JetBrains AI Assistant Brings to VS Code
The VS Code extension offers several capabilities that differentiate it from GitHub Copilot. Multi-file editing stands out. Using retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), the assistant can apply changes across multiple files from a single chat command. This maintains consistency across your entire codebase. Most AI coding tools work file-by-file. However, real development requires cross-file awareness.
Model flexibility is another differentiator. Unlike GitHub Copilot’s lock-in to Microsoft and OpenAI models, JetBrains lets you choose between Gemini, Claude, and multiple GPT variants. Pick the model that fits your task. Speed for quick completions? Deep reasoning for complex refactoring? Your choice.
Furthermore, the extension supports Java, Kotlin, JavaScript, TypeScript, Python, C#, C++, and C. Context-aware intelligence pulls in your full project structure. It automatically includes related files and symbols. JetBrains claims better handling of large projects and monorepos compared to Copilot, leveraging deep indexing techniques from their native IDEs.
Nevertheless, limitations exist. The extension doesn’t provide language features like highlighting or refactoring—you need separate extensions. Local models aren’t available yet. This is a preview, not parity.
Why JetBrains Made This Move
This launch signals a strategic shift. JetBrains historically focused on native IDEs like IntelliJ IDEA and PyCharm, keeping AI capabilities exclusive to their platforms. Entering VS Code changes that calculation.
VS Code commands 70%+ market share. Serving only JetBrains IDE users leaves most developers on the table. But there’s a defensive angle too: if VS Code’s AI becomes good enough, developers may skip JetBrains IDEs entirely. As a result, this move decouples their intelligence from IDE choice.
Moreover, enterprises want Microsoft alternatives. JetBrains offers self-hosting and model flexibility that Copilot doesn’t. These features are critical for strict security requirements.
The Realistic Comparison
Can JetBrains AI beat GitHub Copilot? Wrong question. These tools excel in different areas.
GitHub Copilot wins on polish and speed. It scores 95/100 for code completion quality compared to JetBrains’ 90/100. Copilot delivers sub-second completions that keep you in flow, especially in VS Code. Its GitHub integration is seamless. Onboarding for teams is mature. If you prioritize snappy, polished suggestions and work primarily in GitHub, Copilot has the edge.
In contrast, JetBrains AI excels at large project handling and context breadth. It processes broader context through deep IDE indexing. Monorepos? Handled better. Model flexibility gives you choice. Pick your AI provider based on your needs, not Microsoft’s partnerships. Self-hosting options address enterprise security concerns. Working on complex codebases? Want control over your AI stack? JetBrains offers advantages. The trade-off is clear: Copilot is faster and more refined. JetBrains delivers deeper project understanding and flexibility.
Why Developer Choice Matters
The bigger story: developers now have a credible alternative. One dominant tool creates lock-in and stifles innovation. Competition is healthy.
GitHub Copilot is mainstream—80% of new GitHub developers use it within their first week. However, AI coding trust is at an all-time low according to Stack Overflow’s 2025 survey. Concerns about AI code debt and quality persist. Having alternatives from trusted companies like JetBrains gives developers more control over their tooling choices.
Instead of trying to replace Copilot for everyone, JetBrains offers a different tool for different needs. That’s healthier for the ecosystem than a single player dominating.
The Verdict
JetBrains’ move into VS Code is bold. Competing on Microsoft’s turf carries risk. If adoption is weak, it signals JetBrains can’t break out of their niche. But if successful? They’ve cracked Microsoft’s ecosystem and given developers genuine choice in AI coding tools.
Can JetBrains beat Copilot on its turf? It doesn’t need to. Success means serving developers who need multi-file editing, model flexibility, or enterprise security that Copilot doesn’t prioritize.
The real winners here are developers. More competition means better tools, more innovation, and less lock-in. Try the JetBrains AI Assistant VS Code extension during public preview. Decide for yourself whether it fits your workflow better than GitHub Copilot. That’s the point of having choices.
