‘What a joke’: Github Copilot’s new token-based billing spurs consternation among devs
Microsoft's Github Copilot is transitioning to a token-based billing system, which has raised concerns among smaller developers. The new model, effective June 1, could lead to significantly higher costs for users who previously paid a flat rate. While some developers criticize the changes, others argue that the increased costs reflect poor usage practices rather than the pricing model itself.
- ▪Github Copilot is switching from a flat subscription rate to a token-usage billing system.
- ▪Some developers have reported potential monthly costs skyrocketing from around $29 to nearly $750 or even $3,000.
- ▪Critics of the new model argue that excessive token usage is often due to inefficient coding practices.
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| Original publisher | TechCrunch |
| Canonical URL | https://techcrunch.com/2026/05/30/what-a-joke-github-copilots-new-token-based-billing-spurs-consternation-among-devs/ |
| Publication time | Sat, 30 May 2026 16:30:00 +0000 |
| Retrieval time | 2026-05-30T16:34:39.834Z |
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Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
The golden age of Microsoft’s Github Copilot appears to be at an end — for the little guy, at least. The company is switching its billing system from a flat subscription rate to a token-usage system that has the potential to bill users at a significantly higher rate. Bigger enterprises may still have the juice for it, but smaller companies and workers could find themselves wondering how they’re supposed to balance the monthly budget. The changes, which will take place June 1, mean that users will charged based on how many tokens they burn through as they work instead of a low flat rate based on requests. Some developers with financial whiplash have taken to places like Reddit and X to bemoan what — in many cases — appears to be a drastic escalation in cost.
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