Why We Need a Free Alternative to GitHub Copilot in Pakistan?
GitHub Copilot is the most powerful AI coding assistant in 2026. Every developer wants to use it. But there is one big problem for Pakistani developers, especially for students from Faisalabad, Lahore, and Karachi: it costs $10 per month, which is almost 2800 to 3000 PKR after bank charges. For students and beginners who are just learning to code, paying in dollars every month is not possible.
So, for our main pillar guide on Best Free AI Coding Assistants in 2026 [Pillar Post], I tested 12+ free AI tools for 15 days in VS Code. After testing them all, I found that Codeium and Tabnine are the only two tools that can truly replace GitHub Copilot for free, with no daily limit. In this detailed article on Codeium vs Tabnine, I will share my honest experience after 7 days of real use, an installation guide, pros and cons, and the final winner.
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What is Codeium (Now Called Windsurf)?
Codeium is a 100% free AI code completion tool made for developers. Recently, in 2025, the Codeium team launched their own super-fast AI editor called Windsurf, but their VS Code extension is still completely free and more popular. The best thing about Codeium is that it offers unlimited code completions forever for individual developers. You don't need to add a credit card. It supports over 70+ programming languages, including Python, JavaScript, TypeScript, C++, PHP, Java, and Go.
According to the Codeium Official Website, their AI model is trained on billions of lines of high-quality code and is designed to be super fast. It gives you whole-line and full-function autocomplete, just like GitHub Copilot. For students in Pakistan, this is the number one choice because it is free, fast, and works even on a low-end laptop. I used it on my 8GB RAM laptop, and it worked smoothly without any lag.
Key Features of Codeium That I Liked:
- Completely Free Forever: No trial, no credit card, unlimited use for individuals.
- Supports 70+ Languages: Best for MERN, Python, and PHP developers.
- Super Fast Autocomplete: Its speed is 90% similar to Copilot. It suggests full functions.
- Works Everywhere: Works in VS Code, JetBrains, Visual Studio, and even in the Chrome browser.
- AI Chat Feature: You can also ask questions like "explain this code" for free.
What is Tabnine? Is it Still Good in 2026?
Tabnine is one of the oldest AI coding assistants in the world. It was launched in 2018, even before GitHub Copilot. Its main focus is privacy and security. Many big software companies and banks use Tabnine because it promises that it will never store or train on your private code. This is a big deal for companies.
According to the Tabnine Official Website, it has two plans. The free plan is called "Basic," which gives you short code completions (only 2-3 words). The Pro plan costs $12 per month and gives you full AI chat and long completions like Copilot. Another unique feature of Tabnine is that it can run its AI model locally on your laptop, so your code never goes to the internet. This is called offline mode.
Key Features of Tabnine:
- Best for Privacy: Does not train on your code; can run locally offline.
- Trusted by Big Companies: Used by thousands of teams worldwide.
- Personalized Model: It learns from your own coding style.
- Supports 30+ Languages: Good for all major languages but less than Codeium.
Codeium vs Tabnine: Head-to-Head Comparison Table
Now let's compare both tools on 6 important points that matter for a Pakistani developer. This table will make it very clear for you.
| Feature | Codeium (Windsurf) | Tabnine |
|---|---|---|
| Price in 2026 | 100% Free Forever, Unlimited | Free (Very Limited), Pro $12/month |
| Privacy & Security | Good, code is processed on a secure cloud | Excellent, can run 100% locally offline |
| Speed in VS Code | Very Fast, No Lag (My Winner) | Fast but sometimes laggy on 8GB RAM |
| Code Quality & Length | Gives full functions, 90% like Copilot | Free plan gives only short lines; Pro gives full |
| Languages Supported | 70+ Languages | 30+ Languages |
| Best For | Students, Freelancers, Beginners | Software Houses, Companies, Privacy Teams |
How to Install Codeium and Tabnine in VS Code? (Step by Step)
Installation is very easy for both tools. You don't need to be an expert.
For Codeium Installation:
Open VS Code, go to Extensions on the left side, search "Codeium," and you will see "Codeium: AI Autocomplete". Click Install. Then it will ask you to sign in with your Google account. Just sign in, and you are ready to code. No credit card needed at all. It will start giving suggestions automatically.
For Tabnine Installation:
Again, go to VS Code Extensions, search "Tabnine AI Autocomplete". Click Install and create a free account on their website. The free version will start automatically. If you want long suggestions, you will need to buy Pro.
If you want to know about the paid tools installation process, you can read my other detailed comparison: GitHub Copilot vs Cursor AI Installation Guide.
My Real Testing: Which One is More Accurate?
I tested both tools by writing a Python program for a to-do list and a JavaScript React component. Here is my result. Codeium suggested the full function for "add task" with proper error handling. Tabnine Free only suggested the word " addTask ". So, for accuracy and length, Codeium is much better in the free plan. Tabnine Pro is also good, but then you have to pay $12, which is more expensive than Copilot.
For system resources, Codeium uses a bit more internet because it works in the cloud, while Tabnine's local model uses more RAM. So if you have slow internet, Tabnine local is good, but if you have 8GB RAM, Codeium is better.
Pros and Cons in Detail
Codeium Pros and Cons
Pros:
- 100% free forever, unlimited completions, very fast speed, supports 70+ languages, gives full function suggestions, has free AI chat.
Cons:
- Needs a good internet connection; privacy is good but not the best for big companies because code goes to the cloud.
Tabnine Pros and Cons
Pros:
Best privacy on the market, works 100% offline, trusted by big companies, learns your coding style.
Cons:
The free plan is very limited and almost useless for long code; full features are paid at $12 per month, which is costly for Pakistani students.
Final Verdict: Which One Should You Choose in 2026?
After 7 days of testing for TechWithJaha, Codeium is the clear winner for 95% of Pakistani developers.
The reason is simple:
It is completely free, and its suggestions are much longer and smarter than Tabnine's free plan. If you are a student, freelancer, or learning to code, just go for Codeium. You will not regret it.
However, if you are working in a big software house in Lahore, Islamabad, or Karachi where client code privacy is very important and your company does not allow code to go to the cloud, then you should use Tabnine. For companies, privacy is more important than price.
For a more premium experience with AI, you can also check my detailed honest review here: Cursor AI Review - My Honest 7 Day Experience After Paying.
Final Advice for Beginners:
Start with Codeium today. It is the best free alternative to GitHub Copilot in 2026 for Pakistani developers. When you start earning in dollars from freelancing, you can then switch to GitHub Copilot or Cursor AI.
Written by Jaha
I am a full-stack developer and AI tools enthusiast from Faisalabad. At TechWithJaha, I test AI coding tools honestly to help Pakistani developers learn for free. Read More About Me
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