Comparison

GitHub Copilot vs Kiro

How the two compare on the things that decide whether your setup carries over: open standards, license, models and where they run.

GitHub CopilotKiro
MakerGitHub / MicrosoftAWS
LicenseProprietaryProprietary
ModelsSee vendor docsSee vendor docs
Runs inIDE, GitHub, CLIIDE, CLI
MCPMCP: supportedMCP: supported
Agent SkillsAgent Skills: supportedAgent Skills: supported
AGENTS.mdAGENTS.md: supported?AGENTS.md: not yet verified
ACPACP: supportedACP: supported

Key differences

  • Both are proprietary products from their vendors.
  • GitHub Copilot also runs in GitHub.
  • GitHub Copilot supports AGENTS.md; we have not verified it for Kiro.
  • Both support MCP, Agent Skills, ACP, so MCP servers, skills and repo instructions you set up carry over if you switch.

In their own words

GitHub Copilot

Copilot's coding agent and VS Code agent mode. Agent Skills, AGENTS.md and MCP are supported; ACP support is in public preview.

WebsiteMCP docs

Kiro

Spec-driven agentic IDE and CLI: turns prompts into requirements, designs and tasks before writing code.

Website

FAQ

Is GitHub Copilot or Kiro open source?
GitHub Copilot is proprietary. Kiro is proprietary.
Do GitHub Copilot and Kiro support MCP servers?
GitHub Copilot: yes. Kiro: yes.
Can I reuse Agent Skills between GitHub Copilot and Kiro?
Yes. Both read the open Agent Skills (SKILL.md) format, so the same skill folder works in both.

Set up MCP servers in either one

MCP install guide for VS CodeAll official MCP servers

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Reviewed Oct 5, 2026.