Industry3 min read

GitHub Copilot Switches to Usage-Based Billing

Starting June 1, GitHub Copilot plans move to usage-based billing, with usage drawing down a monthly allotment of GitHub AI Credits.

E
Editorial
June 1, 2026

GitHub has begun transitioning Copilot to usage-based billing, with the change taking effect June 1. Going forward, Copilot usage consumes a new virtual currency called GitHub AI Credits, calculated from token consumption across input, output, and cached tokens at each model's listed API rates.

Every paid plan includes a monthly allotment of credits, with the option to purchase more. GitHub said Copilot Pro+ costs $39 per month including $39 in credits, Copilot Business is $19 per user per month including $19 in credits, and Copilot Enterprise is $39 per user per month including $39 in credits.

Code completions and next-edit suggestions are not billed against credits and remain unlimited for paid plans.

GitHub framed the shift as a response to rising inference costs from increasingly complex AI coding sessions, though some developers have criticized the change as effectively delivering less value for the same price.

E
Editorial
June 1, 2026 · 3 min read
Back to News