GitHub Copilot, the AI‑powered code assistant backed by Microsoft, is set to overhaul its pricing structure this summer. Starting June 1, the service will abandon its low‑cost flat subscription and adopt a token‑based billing system that charges users according to the number of tokens the model processes during coding sessions.

Developers quickly voiced alarm on platforms such as Reddit and X. One user, who currently pays roughly $29 a month, posted a screenshot suggesting the new rate could push his bill to nearly $750. Another shared an image that appeared to show a jump from $50 to about $3,000 in a single month. The reactions ranged from disbelief to outright condemnation, with comments like “What a joke” and “This new usage model is just stupidly expensive.”

Critics argue that the token model disproportionately penalizes smaller teams and individual programmers who rely on Copilot for routine assistance. They point out that the previous flat‑rate plan, while affordable, may have been subsidized by Microsoft, a notion echoed in threads that questioned how much the company was losing under the old system.

Not all feedback is negative. Some respondents contend that the surge in projected costs stems from inefficient usage rather than the pricing change itself. They claim that developers who generate large token volumes are “vibe‑coding” – producing bloated, iterative code without clear purpose. One commenter noted that seasoned programmers who use Copilot judiciously tend to stay well within reasonable token limits, keeping expenses modest even under the new model.

Even supporters of the shift acknowledge that the token approach could better align pricing with actual consumption, potentially making the service more sustainable for Microsoft. Yet the abruptness of the transition, coupled with the lack of a clear cost‑calculator tool, leaves many users scrambling to estimate future bills.

TechCrunch reached out to Microsoft for comment on the upcoming change, but the company did not respond before publication. As the June deadline approaches, developers are weighing whether to adjust their workflows, seek alternative tools, or abandon Copilot altogether.

This article was written with the assistance of AI.
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