GitHub Copilot moves to usage-based billing
On June 1, 2026 Copilot shifts from request-based to usage-based billing. Devs widely framed it as shrinkflation -- same price, less effective output.
What changed
before— removed
Flat-fee request-based billing
after+ current
Usage-based credits with monthly allotment
word-level diff
UsageFlat-based credits withfee monthlyrequest-based allotmentbilling
Context
GitHub announced Copilot will transition to a usage-based credit model on June 1, 2026. Top community quote across HN, the GitHub Discussions thread, and Visual Studio Magazine coverage: 'You will get less, but pay the same price.' Several heavy users projected effective usage cuts of 30-50% at the existing $10/$19 tiers.