Some GitHub Copilot users burned through an entire month's worth of AI credits in a single day. Others discovered that their normal usage patterns would cost thousands of dollars under the new system. The sticker shock has spread widely across developer forums and social media since the new pricing model took effect Monday.
According to a report by Ars Technica, GitHub announced in April that it was shifting Copilot subscribers from a request-based billing model to a usage-based credit system. The change went into effect June 2.
Under the old system, users were allocated a set number of requests each month depending on their subscription tier. GitHub said that model had a significant flaw: a quick chat question and a multi-hour autonomous coding session cost the user the same amount. That forced Copilot to absorb an escalating gap between what users paid and what their usage actually cost.
The new system ties billing directly to computational usage. One credit equals $0.01 of usage. Monthly subscriptions now include a credit allotment based on plan level. The $10-per-month Pro plan includes 1,500 credits, equivalent to $15 worth of usage. The $39 Pro+ plan includes 7,000 credits, worth $70. The $100-per-month Copilot Max plan includes 20,000 credits, worth $200.
The gap between included credits and real-world usage has alarmed many subscribers. Users have been sharing screenshots and estimates from GitHub's own pricing tool showing that their typical monthly activity would generate bills far above what their subscription covers. Some reported running out of credits in less than a day of normal work.
The situation connects to a broader shift happening at Microsoft, which owns GitHub. The company is preparing to announce expanded AI features at its Build developer conference, which opened in San Francisco on June 2. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said during a recent earnings call that the company is "evolving our family of Copilots from synchronous assistants to async coworkers that can execute long-running tasks across key domains." More capable agents performing longer tasks will almost certainly consume more credits under the new pricing model.
GitHub has not publicly responded to the user complaints as of Monday. Users on several forums were debating whether to downgrade plans, reduce AI usage, or switch to competing tools.
