GitHub Copilot is moving to usage-based billing (github.blog)

GitHub has announced a significant shift in its billing model for GitHub Copilot, transitioning to a usage-based system starting June 1, 2026. Under the new model, users will receive monthly allotments of GitHub AI Credits based on their subscription tiers, which will be consumed according to token usage during coding sessions. This change is crucial as it aligns pricing with actual usage patterns, addressing the challenges posed by Copilot's evolution from a simple coding assistant to an expanded platform capable of handling complex, multi-step programming tasks. It also alleviates GitHub's escalating costs associated with inference demands without significantly altering existing subscription prices. The new system eliminates the previous premium request units (PRUs) model, thus providing a more sustainable and reliable experience for Copilot users. Users and organizations will now have more visibility and control over their usage and spending, with features like pooled AI Credits for organizations and budget controls for admins. The change reflects GitHub's commitment to developing a long-term, effective AI tool that meets the growing demands of users across different coding environments while maintaining affordability and flexibility.