Which AI Model in GitHub Copilot Chat Is Right For Me?

Currently you can switch between 5 AI Models within the Copilot Chat interface.

The OpenAI Models are hosted on Azure tenants. GitHub Copilot uses Gemini 2.0 Flash hosted on Google Cloud Platform (GCP). Claude 3.5 Sonnet is hosted on Amazon Web Services and so when you're using Claude 3.5 Sonnet, prompts and metadata are sent to Amazon's Bedrock service.

When faced with options, I like asking all my AI assistants what they think. I liked the answer from Gemini. I added additional points from my own reading of the GitHub Copilot documentation & the answers from other AI assistants to come up with this analysis breakdown:

1. GPT 4o (Default)

Strengths:

o Versatile: Excels in text generation, summarization, and knowledge-based chat.

o Multimodal: Handles both text and images effectively.

o Fast and Reliable: Provides quick and dependable responses.

o Superior Non-English Support: Performs well across multiple languages.

Consider it when: You need a general-purpose model for a wide range of tasks, including those involving images.

2. Claude 3.5 Sonnet

Strengths:

o Coding Focus: Particularly strong for coding tasks throughout the software development lifecycle (design, bug fixes, maintenance, optimization).

Consider it when: You primarily need assistance with coding-related tasks.

3. Gemini 2.0 Flash

Strengths:

o Strong Coding, Math, and Reasoning: Well-suited for software development tasks that require advanced reasoning and problem-solving.

Consider it when: You need a model that excels in complex coding challenges, mathematical problems, and tasks that demand strong reasoning capabilities.

4. o1

Strengths:

o Advanced Reasoning: Specialized in advanced reasoning and solving complex problems, particularly in math and science.

Consider it when: You encounter highly complex mathematical or scientific problems that require sophisticated reasoning.

5. o3-mini

Strengths:

o Focus on Clarity and Conciseness: o3-mini is designed to provide concise and to-the-point responses, making it efficient for quick information retrieval and straightforward tasks.

o Enhanced Factual Accuracy: It prioritizes factual accuracy and aims to deliver reliable information, minimizing the risk of hallucinations or misleading responses.

o Suitable for Quick Queries: Ideal for quickly answering questions, summarizing information, and obtaining concise definitions or explanations.

Consider it when: You need quick and concise answers to factual questions.

To choose the right model for yourself, consider the following factors:

  • Task at Hand: The most crucial factor is the specific task you're working on. Choose a model that aligns best with the nature of the task (e.g., coding, general chat, complex reasoning).
  • Desired Outcome: Consider the type of output you expect. Some models may be better at generating creative text, while others excel at providing concise and factual information.
  • Performance: Evaluate each model's performance based on your specific needs. Experiment with different models to see which one provides the most helpful and accurate results for your tasks.
  • Coding language: If you work primarily with JavaScript, for example, you may find that one model performs better than others.
  • Personal preference: Experiment with different models to see which one you find most intuitive and helpful.
  • Pricing Plan - Newer features may be available based on type of Subscription. For instance, access to OpenAI GPT-4.5 is available for GitHub Copilot Enterprise users only (as of March 2025)

I will keep revising this answer as the Models evolve and I learn more.

Last updated - 20-March-2025

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