# Switch from GitHub Copilot to Devin

> Developers want an agent-first IDE (Devin Desktop, formerly Windsurf) with Cascade-style flows instead of an editor plugin.

Source: https://ai.dosa.dev/switch/github-copilot-to-devin · Copilot Migrations · Updated 2026-10-15 · Published by dosa.dev

## Why switch

Developers want an agent-first IDE (Devin Desktop, formerly Windsurf) with Cascade-style flows instead of an editor plugin. Costs $10/seat/mo more (+$1,200/yr for a 10-dev team).

## Cost delta

| | GitHub Copilot | Devin |
|---|---|---|
| Entry paid plan | Copilot Pro ($10/mo) | Pro ($20/mo) |
| Per-seat monthly delta | +$10 | |
| 10-dev team annual delta | +$1,200 | |

Costs $10/seat/mo more (+$1,200/yr for a 10-dev team). Model it: https://ai.dosa.dev/tools/cost-calculator?team=10&seats=devin:Pro

## Config migration

- GitHub Copilot rules: `.github/copilot-instructions.md`
- Devin rules: `.windsurfrules`
- Convert with the Rules Converter: https://ai.dosa.dev/tools/rules-converter?from=copilot&to=windsurfrules

## 4-step checklist

1. **Audit & export your GitHub Copilot rules** — GitHub Copilot reads repo-level rules from .github/copilot-instructions.md. Convert them to .windsurfrules with the Rules Converter, then review the output before committing. (https://ai.dosa.dev/tools/rules-converter?from=copilot&to=windsurfrules)
2. **Install & configure Devin** — Download Devin from the official site. Devin Desktop (formerly Windsurf) reads Windsurf rules files. Pricing: Freemium — entry plan Pro at $20/mo. (https://devin.ai?utm_source=ai.dosa.dev&utm_medium=referral)
3. **Adapt your daily workflow (IDE Plugins → AI IDEs)** — Your assistant moves from an inline plugin to a full agent-first editor — expect multi-file edits with repo-wide context instead of autocomplete. Devin is best for ambitious engineering teams looking to automate repetitive tasks, manage backlogs, perform code migrations, and handle complex end-to-end features.
4. **Run a one-week parallel pilot, then reallocate seats** — Costs $10/seat/mo more (+$1,200/yr for a 10-dev team). Keep GitHub Copilot active for one sprint while Devin handles new tasks; cancel seats only after velocity holds. (https://ai.dosa.dev/tools/cost-calculator?team=10&seats=devin:Pro)

## What you gain

- Devin is best for ambitious engineering teams looking to automate repetitive tasks, manage backlogs, perform code migrations, and handle complex end-to-end features.
- Autonomous agentic workflows for coding, testing, and debugging.
- Multi-model support including frontier models from OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, and in-house SWE models.
- Devin Fusion multi-model harness for cost-efficient performance.

## What you give up

- GitHub Copilot is positioned for developers seeking to accelerate their coding workflow, automate routine tasks like commit messages and PR reviews, and leverage agent-driven development to handle complex multi-file changes. — confirm Devin covers that before cancelling seats.
- Devin is not ideal for extremely difficult tasks that fall outside the scope of what an engineer can accomplish in approximately three hours.

Running both: Many teams run both: keep GitHub Copilot for ide plugins work and use Devin for ai ides tasks during the transition.

## Spec sheet

| | [GitHub Copilot](https://ai.dosa.dev/tools/github-copilot) | [Devin](https://ai.dosa.dev/tools/devin) |
|---|---|---|
| Company | GitHub | Cognition |
| Category | IDE Extensions & Plugins | AI-Native IDEs & Editors |
| Pricing | Freemium | Freemium |
| Entry paid plan | Copilot Pro ($10/mo) | Pro ($20/mo) |
| Rules file | .github/copilot-instructions.md | .windsurfrules |

## FAQ

### How do I convert my GitHub Copilot rules to Devin?

GitHub Copilot reads .github/copilot-instructions.md and Devin reads .windsurfrules. Run them through the Rules Converter (https://ai.dosa.dev/tools/rules-converter?from=copilot&to=windsurfrules) and review the output before committing.

### Is Devin cheaper than GitHub Copilot?

GitHub Copilot starts at Copilot Pro ($10/mo); Devin starts at Pro ($20/mo). Costs $10/seat/mo more (+$1,200/yr for a 10-dev team).

### What do I lose when switching from GitHub Copilot to Devin?

GitHub Copilot is positioned for developers seeking to accelerate their coding workflow, automate routine tasks like commit messages and PR reviews, and leverage agent-driven development to handle complex multi-file changes. — confirm Devin covers that before cancelling seats. Devin is not ideal for extremely difficult tasks that fall outside the scope of what an engineer can accomplish in approximately three hours.

### Can I use GitHub Copilot and Devin together?

Many teams run both: keep GitHub Copilot for ide plugins work and use Devin for ai ides tasks during the transition.

## Links

- GitHub Copilot review: https://ai.dosa.dev/tools/github-copilot
- Devin review: https://ai.dosa.dev/tools/devin
- Rules Converter: https://ai.dosa.dev/tools/rules-converter?from=copilot&to=windsurfrules
- Cost calculator: https://ai.dosa.dev/tools/cost-calculator?team=10&seats=devin:Pro