Microsoft GitHub Copilot switches from flat subscription to token-based billing starting June 1, drawing developer backlash over potential cost increases

Microsoft is switching GitHub Copilot's billing from a flat subscription rate to a token-usage system effective June 1, charging users based on tokens consumed rather than a flat monthly rate.

Some developers report dramatic cost increases under the new model — one claimed costs would jump from $29 per month to nearly $750 per month, while another reported a spike from around $50 to some $3,000 — though other users argue high costs reflect inefficient coding practices rather than the pricing model itself.

Critics argue Microsoft encouraged heavy token usage and is now shifting costs to users, while others counter that developers who use the tool properly should not face such drastic overages.