GitHub Copilot Pricing Changes: What You Need to Know

GitHub Copilot, the beloved AI coding assistant owned by Microsoft, is getting a makeover, and it could hit some users right in the wallet. On Friday, GitHub rolled out a new pricing structure that introduces what’s called "premium requests," which could mean higher costs for those who want to harness the power of advanced AI models.

New Premium Requests System

The latest announcement from GitHub outlines a premium request system that will implement rate limits when users switch over from the default base model—OpenAI’s GPT-4o—to more advanced models. These models are designed to handle intricate tasks, such as “agentic” coding and multi-file edits, but come with a price. Subscribers to GitHub Copilot can continue to perform unlimited operations using the base model, but those opting for newer models like Anthropic’s 3.7 Sonnet will now encounter limits on their usage.

Monthly Premium Request Limits

Starting May 5, users subscribing to the Copilot Pro plan, which costs $20 a month, will receive 300 premium requests per month. For those on the Copilot Business and Copilot Enterprise tiers, monthly allowances will be 300 and 1,000 requests, respectively, starting between May 12 and May 19.

If users find themselves running out of the premium requests, they can purchase additional requests at a rate of $0.04 per request. Alternatively, an upgrade is available to the new Copilot Pro+ plan, kicking off at $39 per month. This tier offers a generous 1,500 premium requests along with access to top-tier models, including OpenAI’s GPT-4.5.

Impact of Increased Pricing Structure

Why the change? Well, it seems like the computing costs associated with running these advanced models are climbing. Models like 3.7 Sonnet demand more computational power and time to ensure the reliability of their outputs, leading to higher costs. This shift in the pricing model mirrors a similar move from AI coding platform Devin, which recently increased its rates for some users.

However, it’s important to note that GitHub Copilot remains a cash cow. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella stated last August that Copilot was responsible for a whopping 40% of GitHub’s revenue growth in 2024—remarkable considering it’s larger than the total business GitHub had when Microsoft acquired it seven years ago.

Navigating the Changes

So, what does this mean for you? If you’re an avid user of GitHub Copilot, you might want to assess your coding habits. Are you using advanced models frequently? If that’s the case, considering an upgrade to Copilot Pro+ might be a sensible move to maximize your AI tools without breaking the bank.

Here’s a quick recap:

• Basic User (Free / Basic plan): Unlimited use of GPT-4o; limited access to premium models.
• Copilot Pro ($20/month): 300 premium requests per month; additional requests at $0.04 each.
• Copilot Business: 300 monthly requests.
• Copilot Enterprise: 1,000 monthly requests.
• Copilot Pro+ ($39/month): 1,500 monthly requests and access to top-tier AI models.

Conclusion

As GitHub’s pricing changes roll out, it’s essential for users to be savvy about their coding needs and how to best use the resources available. The introduction of premium requests signals a shift towards a more selective use of advanced AI models, but it also indicates that innovation in AI technology is expensive—and that cost will be shared by users.

The AI Buzz Hub team is excited to see where these breakthroughs take us. Want to stay in the loop on all things AI? Subscribe to our newsletter or share this article with your fellow enthusiasts.