GitHub Copilot will shift from flat-rate subscriptions to per-token pricing starting June 1, 2026. The change replaces the current model, which gave users a fixed number of "Premium Requests" each month based on their subscription tier.
Per-token billing charges users only for the AI tokens they consume, similar to how many large language model APIs work. This approach differs from the subscription model's predictability. Users who consume fewer tokens pay less. Heavy users pay more.
GitHub has not yet released detailed pricing for the new structure. The company typically charges tokens at fractions of a cent per unit, though exact rates depend on the model and endpoint used.
The shift reflects broader industry trends. Companies like OpenAI and Anthropic already use token-based pricing for API access. GitHub's move suggests the company views per-token billing as more flexible and scalable than subscriptions.
Current Copilot subscribers will need to understand how their usage translates to token consumption. Developers who rely on Copilot should monitor their token usage before the June deadline to estimate future costs under the new system.