AI tools are quickly becoming essential in every developer’s workflow. But when it comes to Salesforce development, which assistant actually delivers?
In this post, we’ll break down ChatGPT vs Copilot for Salesforce development and see which one actually helps Apex devs build better, faster.
Let’s find out which AI deserves a spot in your Dev Hub.
⚔️ What Are ChatGPT and GitHub Copilot?
🔹 ChatGPT (by OpenAI)
- Prompt-based AI chatbot
- Generates natural language + code
- Great for Q&A, explanations, and code refactoring
🔹 GitHub Copilot (by GitHub + OpenAI)
- Autocompletion engine inside VS Code
- Suggests code as you type
- Best for real-time coding flow
Both tools use AI — but they work very differently.
🧪 Real-World Use Cases for ChatGPT vs Copilot for Salesforce Development
Let’s break it down with specific examples common to Salesforce devs to find the best AI assistant for Apex.
✅ 1. Writing an Apex Trigger
Prompt to ChatGPT:
“Write a before insert trigger on Contact that prevents blank email addresses.”
✅ ChatGPT Output:
Well-structured, commented code. Understandable.
❌ Copilot Output:
Requires typing partial code — suggestions are good but need direction.
Winner: ✅ ChatGPT — easier for quick scaffolding.
✅ 2. Creating a Test Class for an Apex Controller
ChatGPT:
- Returns a full class with
@isTest, test data, and assert methods - Can refactor with follow-up prompts
Copilot:
- Fills in boilerplate if you begin writing
- Not aware of Salesforce-specific testing best practices
Winner: ✅ ChatGPT — better context, especially for test coverage.
✅ 3. SOQL/SOSL Help
ChatGPT:
Ask: “Write a SOQL query to get all Leads with no Opportunity linked”
Returns the correct SOQL with explanation.
Copilot:
Needs you to start typing, limited syntax support for SOQL.
Winner: ✅ ChatGPT
✅ 4. Live Autocomplete While Coding
Copilot:
This is where it shines — suggests entire lines or functions based on context.
ChatGPT:
You need to copy/paste back and forth. No live IDE integration.
Winner: ✅ Copilot — great for in-the-zone typing sessions.
🧠 Where Each Tool Wins
| Use Case | ChatGPT ✅ | Copilot ✅ |
|---|---|---|
| Apex Trigger Scaffolding | ✅ | ❌ |
| Test Class Generation | ✅ | ❌ |
| SOQL/SOSL Help | ✅ | ❌ |
| Live Autocomplete in VS Code | ❌ | ✅ |
| Explaining Salesforce Concepts | ✅ | ❌ |
| Apex Refactoring | ✅ | ❌ |
⚙️ What About Salesforce-Specific Knowledge?
ChatGPT understands:
- Governor limits
- Trigger contexts (before/after insert/update/delete)
- Bulkification concepts
- Even platform features like Flow and Lightning Web Components (LWC)
Copilot is language-agnostic — it doesn’t “know” Salesforce per se, but can recognize patterns from other Apex or Java codebases.
📈 When to Use Each: ChatGPT vs Copilot for Salesforce Development
Here’s a quick guide to help you choose the right tool:
- Use ChatGPT when you need help generating Apex triggers, explaining code, or building test classes with context.
- Use Copilot when you’re deep in VS Code and want inline suggestions while you type.
Both have strengths, but right now, ChatGPT is stronger for Salesforce development where context, governor limits, and best practices matter.
As Salesforce gets deeper into AI with Einstein GPT and Flow GPT, these assistants will only get more useful. But today — ChatGPT is the better pick for Salesforce devs and admins looking for Apex help, test coverage, and deep explanations.
🏆 Final Verdict: ChatGPT Wins for Salesforce Devs (For Now)
If you’re building in Salesforce, especially Apex, ChatGPT currently wins for context-aware development.
It’s better at:
- Explaining platform quirks
- Building full triggers/test classes
- Refactoring and learning
Copilot is amazing once you’re typing code, but it lacks platform-specific understanding — a must-have for Salesforce work.
If you’re still deciding between ChatGPT vs Copilot for Salesforce development, the answer depends on whether you value guidance or speed of suggestion.
❓ FAQ – ChatGPT vs Copilot for Salesforce Devs
Can I use both ChatGPT and Copilot together?
Yes! Many devs use ChatGPT to generate/review logic and Copilot for quick autocomplete inside VS Code.
Does Copilot understand Salesforce context?
Not really. It suggests generic code. ChatGPT has deeper Salesforce-aware context.
Is ChatGPT free?
There’s a free tier, but ChatGPT Plus (GPT-4) is more accurate and code-savvy.
Which is better for writing test classes?
ChatGPT. It returns full coverage-ready classes on prompt.
Is ChatGPT good for learning Apex?
Absolutely. Ask “What does this Apex trigger do?” or “Explain governor limits” — you’ll get clear, teachable answers. Or visit salesforce support.
👉 See How I Use ChatGPT for Apex Development
👉 Check Salesforce Report on Reports
👉 Explore more tools in My Salesforce Guide Library
