GitHub Copilot Moves to Token-Based Billing June 2026

Key Takeaways

• GitHub Copilot switches from premium request counts to token-based billing on June 1, 2026
• Base subscription prices remain unchanged, with each plan including credits matching its price
• Code completions won't consume credits, but agentic coding sessions will

GitHub is overhauling how it charges for Copilot. Starting June 1, 2026, the AI coding assistant will bill users based on actual token consumption instead of premium request counts. The change reflects the reality that different AI tasks have wildly different compute costs.

The new system introduces 'GitHub AI Credits' that track three types of tokens: input, output, and cached. Each is priced at the underlying model's API rates. If you've used OpenAI or Anthropic's APIs directly, this will feel familiar.

What's Changing (And What Isn't)

The good news: base subscription prices stay exactly the same. Copilot Pro remains $10 per month. Pro+ stays at $39. Business costs $19 per user, and Enterprise runs $39 per user.

Each plan includes credits matching its subscription price. So a Pro subscriber gets $10 worth of AI Credits monthly. A Pro+ subscriber gets $39 worth.

Code completions, the basic autocomplete feature most developers use constantly, won't consume credits at all. The token billing applies to chat features and agentic coding sessions.

Why GitHub Made This Move

“Today, a short chat question can cost the user just as much as an autonomous coding session lasting several hours.”

— Mario Rodriguez, GitHub Chief Product Officer

Rodriguez's explanation gets at the core problem with flat-rate AI pricing. A quick 'explain this function' query and a multi-hour agentic session that writes, tests, and debugs code use vastly different amounts of compute. Charging the same for both doesn't work as agentic features become more common.

The shift also aligns GitHub's pricing with how the broader AI industry charges for API access. Microsoft, GitHub's parent company, has been pushing consumption-based models across its Azure AI services.

Transition Timeline

The preview invoice launching in early May gives users a month to understand their actual consumption patterns before the switch. Business customers get a buffer of extra credits through August, presumably to avoid budget surprises during the adjustment period.

The Data Training Wrinkle

GitHub also announced separately that starting April 24, 2026, it will use interaction data from Free, Pro, and Pro+ users to train AI models. Users can opt out, but the default is opt-in.

Business and Enterprise customers are excluded from this policy, which likely reflects their stricter data governance requirements. If your organization handles sensitive code, the higher-tier plans now carry an additional privacy benefit beyond just the support and features.

What This Means for Your Copilot Bill

For developers who mostly use code completions, this change is neutral. The autocomplete features that most people rely on daily remain free within your subscription.

Heavy users of chat features or agentic coding may see costs rise. If you regularly run long autonomous coding sessions, you could burn through your included credits quickly. The preview invoices in May will show exactly where you stand.

Light users might actually benefit. Under the old system, everyone paid for a pool of premium requests whether they used them or not. Token-based billing at least ties costs to actual consumption.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will GitHub Copilot code completions still be free?

Yes. Code completions don't consume AI Credits under the new system. Token billing applies only to chat and agentic features.

When does GitHub Copilot token billing start?

June 1, 2026. Preview invoices launch in early May so users can see projected costs before the switch.

Are GitHub Copilot subscription prices increasing?

Base prices remain unchanged: Pro at $10/month, Pro+ at $39, Business at $19/user, Enterprise at $39/user. Each plan includes credits matching its price.

Will GitHub use my Copilot data for AI training?

Starting April 24, 2026, GitHub will use interaction data from Free, Pro, and Pro+ users for training unless you opt out. Business and Enterprise customers are excluded.

What are GitHub AI Credits?

AI Credits track token consumption for Copilot's chat and agentic features. They measure input tokens, output tokens, and cached tokens at each model's API rates.

Source: The Decoder / Jonathan Kemper