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SIDE-BY-SIDE · 2 OF 3
Two platforms.
Same questions.
GitHub Copilot
DEVELOPER / CODING
PROMPT
GitHub does not claim ownership over code inputs. Code submitted to Copilot remains the user's property.
OUTPUT
GitHub does not assert ownership over code suggestions. Users are responsible for determining the IP status of generated code.
TRAINING
GitHub Privacy Statement confirms: 'Product Development and Improvement: We use Personal Data to develop and improve our products, services, and technologies, including artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies. This includes improving features, developing new offerings, enhancing safety and security capabilities, and training models. We apply appropriate technical safeguards, including aggregation and de-identification techniques where feasible.' Affiliates including Microsoft may also receive data for 'product development and improvement (including training and improving artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies).' Individual tier: code snippets and telemetry may be used for training (opt-out in IDE settings). Business/Enterprise: training on user code is off by default, no data retention beyond session.
COMMERCIAL
Commercial use is the primary intended use case, particularly for Copilot for Business and Enterprise plans.
280 verified findings across the displayed surfaces.
Tabnine
DEVELOPER / CODING
PROMPT
Users retain ownership of their code. Tabnine does not claim IP in user code.
OUTPUT
Users retain ownership of code completions.
TRAINING
Tabnine is not granted any rights in code you develop while using the Services. Code suggestions accepted and incorporated are deemed part of user-generated code; Tabnine grants a non-exclusive, perpetual, royalty-free license to use those suggestions within your code.
COMMERCIAL
Commercial use is the primary intended use for all plans.
236 verified findings across the displayed surfaces.
Empty Comparison Slot
AIRIN SUMMARY
GitHub Copilot carries highly permissive license terms; Tabnine carries highly permissive license terms.FOR ENTERPRISE: GITHUB COPILOT NOT RECOMMENDED · TABNINE NOT RECOMMENDED
↳ Compliance surfaces · side by side
⚡ INTERACTIVE RISK COMPARISON HEATMAP
| RISK SURFACE | GITHUB COPILOT | TABNINE |
|---|---|---|
| PPrompt Ownership | ||
| OOutput Ownership | ||
| TModel Training | ||
| CCommercial Use | ||
| DData Privacy | ||
| $Tier Differences |
* Click any cell in the heatmap matrix to scroll directly to its verbatim policy citations below.
📂 Intellectual Property & Model Training
P
SURFACE 01
Prompt Ownership
GitHub Copilot
MEDHIGH
GitHub does not claim ownership over code inputs. Code submitted to Copilot remains the user's property.
“ Short version: We own the service and all of our content. In order for you to use our content, we give you certain rights to it, but you may only use our content in the way we have allowed. ”
Tabnine
LOW⚠ CAUTIONHIGH
Users retain ownership of their code. Tabnine does not claim IP in user code.
“Tabnine and/or its affiliates retain all rights in the Services′ materials (including, but not limited to, applications, software, designs, graphics, texts, information, pictures, video, sound, music, and other files, and their selection and arrangement) (collectively, "Services′…”
O
SURFACE 02
Output Ownership
GitHub Copilot
MEDHIGH
GitHub does not assert ownership over code suggestions. Users are responsible for determining the IP status of generated code.
“ You grant us and other Users the licenses in Sections D.4–D.8. These licenses apply to Your Content. If Your Content already includes a license granting us the permissions we need, no additional license is required. You will not receive payment for these rights. These licenses e…”
Tabnine
MEDHIGH
Users retain ownership of code completions.
“Tabnine′s Services include, without limitation (i) a software and/or a service for searching and sharing software code, and (ii) a software and/or a service which analyzes your code-development environment and the activities performed therein, and automatically suggests you relev…”
T
SURFACE 03
Model Training
GitHub Copilot
MED⚠ CAUTIONHIGH
GitHub Privacy Statement confirms: 'Product Development and Improvement: We use Personal Data to develop and improve our products, services, and technologies, including artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies. This includes improving features, developing new offerings, enhancing safety and security capabilities, and training models. We apply appropriate technical safeguards, including aggregation and de-identification techniques where feasible.' Affiliates including Microsoft may also receive data for 'product development and improvement (including training and improving artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies).' Individual tier: code snippets and telemetry may be used for training (opt-out in IDE settings). Business/Enterprise: training on user code is off by default, no data retention beyond session.
“ Unless you opt out, GitHub's Affiliates may use your Inputs and Outputs under this license in accordance with their applicable privacy and contractual obligations. This license does not, however, permit GitHub or its Affiliates to share your Inputs or Outputs with third-par…”
Tabnine
MED⚠ CAUTIONHIGH
Tabnine is not granted any rights in code you develop while using the Services. Code suggestions accepted and incorporated are deemed part of user-generated code; Tabnine grants a non-exclusive, perpetual, royalty-free license to use those suggestions within your code.
“In connection with any Tailor Made Services, we note that: (a) no such Tailor Made Services will be provided unless explicitly asked by you, (b) as part of the Tailor Made Services, you will be required to grant Tabnine with access to your code, such code shall be used by Tabnine…”
C
SURFACE 04
Commercial Use
GitHub Copilot
MED⚠ CAUTIONHIGH
Commercial use is the primary intended use case, particularly for Copilot for Business and Enterprise plans.
“ By using automated means to access, collect, or otherwise use (“Access”) any publicly accessible Content from the Service for the purpose of developing or training any commercially available artificial intelligence model, machine learning system, or similar technology (a "Commer…”
Tabnine
MED⚠ CAUTIONHIGH
Commercial use is the primary intended use for all plans.
“These Terms do not authorize you to, and you may not use any Third-Party Materials except as expressly permitted (by license or otherwise) by the owners of such Third-Party Materials and such owners may have the right to seek damages against you for any unauthorized use of their…”
📂 Data Privacy & Governance
D
SURFACE 05
Data Privacy
GitHub Copilot
MED⚠ CAUTIONHIGH
Individual: training on by default, opt-out available in IDE settings. Business: training off by default, no content retention. Enterprise: same as Business with additional enterprise governance and IP indemnification.
“ The business or commercial purpose of sharing personal information is to assist us with marketing, advertising, and audience measurement.”
Tabnine
MED⚠ CAUTIONHIGH
Basic/Pro: cloud model completions (not used for training). Enterprise: zero-retention, local model deployment available.
“10. If you choose to exercise your rights, we will not charge you different prices or provide different quality of our Services, unless those differences are related to your provision of your Personal Information. We will not discriminate against you for exercising any of your ri…”
$
SURFACE 06
Tier Differences
GitHub Copilot
MEDHIGH
Individual: training on by default, opt-out available in IDE settings. Business: training off by default, no content retention. Enterprise: same as Business with additional enterprise governance and IP indemnification.
“ "Beta Previews" mean software, services, or features identified as alpha, beta, preview, early access, or evaluation, or words or phrases with similar meanings.”
Tabnine
MED⚠ CAUTIONHIGH
Basic/Pro: cloud model completions (not used for training). Enterprise: zero-retention, local model deployment available.
“Please note that since Tabnine acquired the Tabnine code prediction tool (the " **TabNine Product**"), in the event that you have commenced your use of the Tabnine Product **prior** to 30 August, 2020 (the " **Cut-Off Date**"), Tabnine will continue to provide you with the Tabnin…”