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GitHub Copilot pricing: what changed for Enterprise, what it costs, and the catch
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GitHub Copilot pricing just changed for big teams. On October 28, 2026, GitHub announced in its changelog that GitHub Enterprise now includes access to Copilot for every licensed user, with no separate Copilot seat to buy. You pay for the AI your team uses instead. Here's what changed, what it costs, who can get it, and the catch.
What changed in GitHub Copilot pricing
Until now, companies paid for Copilot seats plus AI usage. Under the new model, which GitHub calls Copilot access, users with a GitHub Enterprise Cloud license get Copilot at a $0 seat charge. People in the enterprise without that license can get the same access through Copilot Standalone at $10 per user per month.
It has the same features and models as Copilot Enterprise, but no monthly AI credits per seat.
How usage is billed
According to GitHub's Copilot plans documentation, AI usage is paid in GitHub AI Credits, and one credit costs $0.01. Under Copilot access, usage is metered from the first request against your enterprise budget.
- Code completion and next edit suggestions keep working even with no budget left.
- Copilot Chat, Copilot code review and Copilot in the cloud need available budget to run.
- An empty budget never removes the seat.
What it costs next to the seat plans
On October 29, 2026, GitHub's docs listed the seat plans alongside the new option:
| Plan | Price per user per month | AI credits included |
|---|---|---|
| Copilot Business | $19 | 1,900 |
| Copilot Enterprise | $39 | 3,900 |
| Copilot access (Enterprise Cloud license) | $0 | None |
| Copilot Standalone | $10 | None |
Business and Enterprise credits go into a shared pool, and anything beyond the pool costs $0.01 per credit. GitHub Enterprise itself is $21 per user per month.
An enterprise must pick one model: Copilot access can't sit alongside Business or Enterprise seats. Switching is voluntary.
Who can get it now
Only GitHub Enterprise Cloud companies that work with a GitHub or Microsoft account team. Self-serve customers get it in stages, with dates "in the coming weeks." Current plans don't change.
Details checked on October 29, 2026. Prices and plans change, so check GitHub's own pages before you decide.
The catch: no included usage
Copilot access includes no AI credits. Every chat, code review or agent task is billed from the first request, so a team that leans on chat and agents could pay more than on Business seats, whose $19 includes $19 of credits. Before switching, check last month's credit use and set a budget with alerts.
Who should care
If you already pay for GitHub Enterprise and have many light Copilot users, this could cut your bill. Heavy users may do better on seats. For other AI usage pricing, see our Vercel Token Pass post and HubSpot AI spend caps post, or browse the tools directory.
FAQ
Is GitHub Copilot now free with GitHub Enterprise?
The seat is free for licensed GitHub Enterprise Cloud users, but usage isn't: chat, code review and Copilot in the cloud cost $0.01 per AI credit from the first request.
Can small teams on a self-serve plan switch?
Not yet. GitHub says self-serve access comes in stages, with dates in the coming weeks.
Does Copilot stop working if the budget runs out?
No. Code completion and next edit suggestions keep working; Chat, code review and Copilot in the cloud need budget.
Sources
- GitHub Enterprise now includes access to GitHub Copilot (GitHub Changelog, October 28, 2026)
- Plans for GitHub Copilot (GitHub Docs, checked October 29, 2026)
- GitHub pricing (GitHub, checked October 29, 2026)